> Fallout Equestria; Radio Static
>  by MMBK
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Channel 000.1; A New World With A New Pair of Eyes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today's weather, excessively violent, with a chance of dismemberment. Tune in later for our five day forecast!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I awoke to the crude and discomforting, scratchy hissing of static, emanating from the radio to my left, on the table beside me.
I slammed my hoof down on the snooze without looking as I laid there for a few seconds, before moving the charcoal black mane away from my eyelids and opening my green eyes, facing the grey, steel ceiling above.
"Today's the big day..." I told myself, smiling.
This was something I've waited for for years, and it was finally here!
Sitting up, I stretched my hooves to the ceiling, groaning as I did so, with clenched teeth and winced eyes.
"Up n' at 'em, rookie!" A familiar voice I was expecting to wake up to burst into my room, intruding in my privacy, as it did every other morning.
I rolled my beige-coated body off the bed and stood up, looking at her as she trotted up to me with the heavy, metallic clanks of her hooves against the metal flooring beneath us. Her helmet rested on her back.
"Good morning to you, too." I replied. "And thanks for changing the station to something dead... Again. I totally love waking up to static..." I approached the new set of power armor that stood tall and proud before us, and I inspected its frame. It was the standard issue 'T-45' model. All the recruits were issued one.
"That's good morning to you, ma'am." She 'corrected.' "You might be a ranger now, but I'm still a higher rank." I looked over to see her cocky grin. Her dark grey coat matched well with her armor, and those purple eyes really stuck out from the rest. Her black mane hung down over the top of her eyes, swayed to her right. "And don't mention it on the radio deal, lil' bro. Always happy to help."
I rolled my eyes in reply. "Not happening, sis."
"Awww, why not?" She nudged my shoulder, and I pressed my hoof against the back of the suit of armor, watching as air hissed through the cracks that popped open just a little, and then open up before us entirely.
I looked at her with a wry smile. "Because you're only one rank higher than me."
I got some stink eye from that, and that only made my smile widen just a smidge.
"Well, you're still a rookie."
I shrugged before stepping into the armor. "Well, you gotta start somewhere, right?" The armor wrapped itself around me as I stood there, and I felt it tighten around my form, completely hiding the wrench and hammer that crossed each other, on both sides of my flank.
Oof...
Cozy. A lot cozier than the training armor. This would take some getting used to. And here I thought the sim training, as well as the physical training would have gotten me used to it.
The power gauge was at 100 percent, the armor integrity was as perfect as perfect could get, judging by the green, armored pony display on a small screen just below the visor's right eye, and the Eyes Forward Sparkle worked like a dream, as I saw hundreds of amber blips moving around the top of the visor, where the four directions of navigation were displayed. North, east, south, and west, with northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest in between.
I flicked the headlamp on my steel-clad head on and off a few times, blinding Firebright, who stood before me with minor irritation growing on her face, to moderate aggravation and impatience.
"You done playing with yourself, now?" She asked in a cold, harsh tone.
"Just about." I moved a hoof forward to take a step, and the armor responded to my muscle movement, as if the suit was my body. "You know that whole radio prank gets tiring, when you do it night after night for three years, seven months, and three days, right?"
"You counted all this time?" She asked in bafflement.
I nodded, to which she simply smiled. "Well, if you don't like it, lock your door."
"I do. You keep breaking and entering." I pointed an accusing hoof at her.
"Then you're not trying hard enough, lil' bro." Her smile brightened a little, before faltering completely. "Alright... Enough playing around. Lesson number one, rook. Pay attention, and listen closely, because I'm only going to say it once. Don't get cocky. Ever." She put her helmet on, and her voice was mildly altered by the respirator. "Whenever you're outside, under no reason, should you remove your helmet. It'll be the last mistake you ever make. The built in respirators help us with radiation resistance, but that doesn't mean you should go frolicking in fields of nuclear waste. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Good. Another thing... You're strong. You're well protected. But you are most definitely not invincible. Don't fight something you can't handle. Your fight or flight response kicks in to flight? You better damn well listen to it. Stay out of contact with hellhounds. Diamond dogs are easier to handle, but keep your distance. See pink clouds on the surface? Avoid them completely. Even if you see something neat. Just... Avoid it. See grey trees? Avoid them."
I nodded. "Understood."
Huh... Even head movement worked great in this.
"Alright, lil' bro." She placed her hoof on my shoulder as we stared into each other's visors. "Let's get you to the armory and packed up for your very first mission on the surface."


(((((((◉)))))))


After a few quick installations to my suit, which provided me with two laser rifles fused to both sides of my torso, aiming in front of me, and a decent supply of microfusion cells, we headed for the hangars, as the debriefing was just about to start.
We walked down the main bunker corridor of L-3, side by side as I kept retracting the two rifles into my armor, then 'equipping' them. Our heavy, steel hooves clanked against the cold, metal floor.
"I feel like a total badass, now." I said in excitement, grinning behind my visor.
"Eh. You'll get used to it, and it'll wear off." There was something off in her tone, and it had me concerned. She never sounded down, before.
I looked over to see she was looking away from me.
"Hey." I reached a hoof out, touching her shoulder, and she looked back.
"Yes, Charger?" She replied coolly.
"What's wrong?"
"What makes you think something is wrong?"
"That." I said.
"What?"
"That." I tried pointing out the monotone in her voice.
After a few seconds of silence, she replied. "You have nothing to worry about, lil' bro. I'm fine. And you will be, too."
'You will be too?' What was that supposed to mean?
Ugh, who knew... She was all sorts of weird.
She looked ahead as we marched on through the corridor, just about to turn right, into the hangar, where three steel, grey Vertibucks sat before Elder Bristle, his guards, and a few dozen rangers. The Steel Ranger emblem was boldly painted in white, on the sides of each vessel, covering the majority of its surface; a sword pointing blade up, with three cog wheels behind it. These had been Enclave-issued, once. But after a few customizations to both their appearance, and how it flew, they may as well have been Steel Ranger-issued.
We didn't have any pegasi in our chapter, and we had very few unicorns, and even then, they weren't too advanced in magic. We mostly used them as grease monkeys. They helped build and repair weapons and vehicles.
From what I heard, they had been working on a prototype build for a few vehicles that they discovered on some schematics, but that could have just been rumors, seeing as that was 4 years ago that it started.
"Nothing to worry about, at all..." I heard Fire mutter.
My stomach rumbled. "No food?"
"No time." She replied in a normal tone. "I'll get something for you to eat, on the road."
We stopped in the back row, and Bristle started, as if he had been waiting on us.
I sure hoped not... That would have made an embarrassing first day on the job...
"There's a town that goes by the name of Saddle, a few hours flight north of us. Heavily wooded area, but the residents do good to keep the nature out, so none of you should have a problem up there, so long as you stay away from the treeline." He started pacing back and forth, slowly. "Now... It has come to my attention that two anomalies have occurred in Saddle. Both of which, are megaspell levels of energy output." There were a few murmurs from the other rangers. He stopped and looked at his rangers. "One..." He paused. "The inhabitants have stumbled upon what appears to be a megaspell generator, and have been using it to restore power to their civilization. But there have been side effects to using this. The results are random, as of right now. Shifts in the gravitational pull, drastic changes in temperature..." He froze, looking down at the floor before his hooves, to which he spoke in a softer, more inside voice. "And reports of... Otherworldly figures..." He looked back up, shaking his head as he spoke louder. "Things from nightmares. But they only occur within a certain radius. Saddle is the source."
I raised my hoof, and he looked at me.
"Yes?"
"If it can't happen outside of that radius, then why are we worrying about it?"
He smiled faintly. "Good question, Charger." He looked to the rest of his rangers. "The scouts have been studying this for some time, now, and they believe that the radius is... Expanding."
The rangers resumed murmuring to one another about this information.
I looked at Firebright, and she looked back at me. We both shrugged, then looked back at the elder.
"I believe that the longer that generator is active, the larger that radius will grow, and engulf all of Equestria as we know it, and then the world. So I want that generator brought back here, and I want it dismantled and salvaged for parts, so that its true intentions may never be used."
"Sir." My sister stood firm beside me.
"Yes, Firebright?"
"You said there were two anomalies." She stated matter-of-factly.
He nodded. "The second, we're not quite sure about. We have no idea what it looks like. All we know is that it's a megaspell, and that it's small and compact enough for somepony to carry it around without raising any suspicion. I want it found, and I want it brought here." With that, he stood firm and nodded. "You're all dismissed. Do me proud."


(((((((◉)))))))


For the duration of most of the journey, Firebright kept to herself. I tried initiating conversation with her on several occasions, but she either gave me a fake laugh, and said nothing, or just stared ahead... and said nothing.
This experience was getting more boring than I had initially thought it would be, but that wasn't saying much, considering I saw this as a fun, action packed adventure on the merciless surface. I mean, fuck... This was going to be my first time on the surface ever. I only ever dreamed of this moment since I was a colt. I was always hearing stories of the dangers up here. The feral ghouls we fought. The Diamond Dogs, and their much more lethal relatives, the hellhounds. The stuff that could be found up here. The raiders we could fight...
I wanted to be like the rangers.
I wanted to be a hero.
Now was my time to shine.
"Holding back five." The pilot spoke through the speaker overhead. "Prepare for deployment."
The rangers, along with my sister, all readied their weapons and put on their helmets.
Wait... This was a recovery mission... Right...?
I reluctantly followed their lead. Maybe it was just in case there was an ambush waiting for us.
Yeah, that had to be it.
I had noticed we were staying airborne, but had come to a halt. What we were waiting for, I had no idea.
Then, in the distance, through the whirring of the motor of the Vertibuck we were in, I heard gunfire. Not just one gunshot... A series of them. Laser rifles, as well as shotguns, pistols, normal rifles... Only way I could tell which shot belonged to which gun was because of the sim training. Everypony had been trained to study the different sounds of gunfire, so that they knew how to approach certain situations.
Explosions went off in the distance. Grenades, perhaps? Rockets? I couldn't tell... That... I didn't really have an ear for. That one was a lot harder to figure out.
I felt the vehicle move forward, and the walls on both sides of us slid open, revealing the outside. The two turrets inside with us slid out on a short rail system; the barrels pointing out at the horizons.
Two of the rangers operated them, while the rest stood at either opening, looking down at the scenery as we raced forward.
I stood beside Firebright, who remained as silent as ever.
We were flying over a city. This was no town...
Towers stood tall, despite the damage they've suffered. Some leaned against others for support, but over time, that support was wearing down. Many had fallen entirely, long ago.
The elder was right about one thing, though.
Looking down, I saw the streets completely covered in what some would call vegetation.
But I've seen pictures of what forests looked like in the pre-war times. Leaves weren't supposed to be grey. You couldn't fool me like that.
Something else caught my attention. A sound.
Looking further down - and having to lean over the ledge to do so - I found the source of the splintering crunches and stomps.
Trees weren't supposed to MOVE!
I knew that much about trees!
Sweet Celestia, the surface was a bizarre place...
Firebright stretched her hoof out in front of me, across my chest, as she looked over.
I looked back at her, and she spoke. "Trust me, lil' bro. You don't wanna go down there."
I leaned back, taking the warning to deep consideration.
We flew under a tower that leaned against another, and while under its shadow, I heard enough creaks and groans in its structure to believe that it was going to crash down on us, therefore killing us all.
When the sunlight came back, I took a deep breath of relief.
Firebright laughed softly. "Newbie..."
The sun shined bright. Not many clouds littered the sky. One or two, here and there, but it was pleasant out. At least, in terms of weather conditions.
The Vertibuck started its decent, and as I looked ahead - which meant peeking my head back out of the moving vehicle - I witnessed a full blown insurrection down below.
Okay, so Elder Bristle was right. It was a town... Inside a city. A bit weird, but okay.
I caught a glimpse of the sun's blinding reflection in the corner of my eye, and looking to my right, I saw the third Vertibuck closing in. The pony-operated turrets rained a hellfire of bullets down on the inhabitants below, without a second thought, once they got within range.
I started to feel a twinge of guilt about that... But I didn't know the full story. Who fired first, and all that stuff.
I watched as the Vertibuck moved to the eastern side of the town, and the rangers jumped out, one by one, from a relatively large drop off.
Wait... We weren't doing that too, right...?
We descended for the southern exit, just in front of a trail that cut through the disturbing forest, and one by one, the rangers started jumping out.
"You're up, rookie." Firebright said, looking at me.
"Wait... What's going o-" was all I could get out of me, before she pushed me out.
I flailed through the air, screaming, until my back struck the ground. If it weren't for the armor, I would have probably broke my spinal column. But oddly enough, I didn't feel so much as a bruise. The wind wasn't even knocked out of me! This armor was awesome!
I rolled over and stood up on all fours, while I saw the rangers open fire on...
What was this...?
Firebright dropped down beside me, causing the road beneath her to cave in a little, as she laughed hysterically. "Oh, that was priceless! Got it on video, too!"
I didn't care about my humiliation one bit. I didn't like what was happening before me.
Unarmed ponies ran to seek shelter from the gunfire. Gunfire that was targeted toward them. 
Firebright stopped laughing as she watched the chaos unfold. She looked back at me and spoke in a more serious note, leaning in close to my helmet. "Now you know..." With that, she trotted forward, and her guns went off...
Something broke inside me... This wasn't right. Something inside me was screaming, with tears running down their cheeks, as they curled up in fetal position, laying on their side and stroking their hoof through their tail.
Elders, young, and any age in between laid dead in the streets, and the count was only adding up...
The leader of our squadron, Crimsonthunder, looked back at me with that cold, dark visor. "Don't be getting cold hooves now, rookie. Start shooting."
I looked around to see that, after this street was cleared, the rangers looked back at me. My sister included...
"This isn't going to be a problem, is it?"
Some of the rifles were pointing in my direction...
"N-No... Not at all..." I shook my head in fear for my own safety... I was a coward. "Let's... Let's do this."
"Good." He looked over and pointed at two houses to my right. "Firebright. Charger. Sweep those houses." He pointed to the buildings across the street from the ones we were assigned to. "Shadowmark. Darkspark. Sweep those two. Everypony else, on me." He spun around, and the group dispersed into three.
With no hesitation whatsoever, Firebright bucked the door to her designated house in, spun around, and proceeded to open fire on the ponies that resided within. I saw the three amber blips on my EFS disappear...
She walked in, in search for the remaining one that hid behind what were once safe walls.
I looked to the two houses across the street, only to see that Darkspark and Shadowmark did exactly what Fire did. Break in, shoot, and enter.
There was no mercy shown to these ponies... What did they do wrong...? Most of them weren't even fighting back! I mean... Back in the Vertibuck, I had seen some resistance, but not enough of it for us to do... THIS!
I looked back at my door, but instead of breaking it down like a yak on Yickslurbertfest, I opened it in a more civilized manner, then closed it behind me. Some pre-war author named Twilight Sparkle had gone into explicit details about the Yaks and their... Celebratory stompings...
I think she was a princess of something? I don't know... I was never really clear on the details about that.
There was one amber blip in here.
"Hey..." I spoke in a calm tone, hoping my voice could be heard through the screaming and gunfire outside. "Come on out. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise."
The blip didn't move, and whoever it belonged to, did great at staying quiet. It must have been quite the challenge to not break down in tears, let alone sob.
"Please. I'm not going to hurt you." I paused, then added, once I wasn't getting a response of any kind. "I know you're in here. My EFS is tracking you."
Quite suddenly, there was a flash in the far right corner of the living room I was facing, behind a couch, and the blip disappeared.
I carefully walked over to one end of the furniture, looking down.
... Only to find a yellow coated filly, cowering. Her dark, violet eyes looked up at my visor, and she whimpered, wincing them shut and hanging her head down as tears breached and slid down her face. Her messy, green mane covered her facial features like a curtain after a play.
I looked back at my EFS to see that, despite the fact she was in front of me, her blip ceased to be.
"How... How did you do that?" I asked in a hushed tone, hoping none of the other rangers would hear me talking to somepony that was to be killed.
She kept her head down, and her mane over her eyes, as she sat in fetal position; her back against the couch. "Do what...?" She sobbed.
"Well, the marker on my EFS... Your marker... It's just gone. Yet here you are." I was starting to think my 'soothing' voice wasn't really carrying through the respirator of my helmet.
"I was trying to teleport..." She murmured, and that's when I noticed a stubby, yellow little horn sticking out through her mane, pointing directly at me.
Well... Size didn't matter.
"What's your name?"
She didn't answer.
"Alright..." I nodded. "Just stay quiet, and don't move. Okay? If you get caught, you'll get shot." I realized how lame that sounded, once the words left my lips. But it was too late to go back, now. May as well embrace it. "Just don't get caught... Wait until the shooting stops, and everything goes quiet, okay?"
Finally, she looked back up at me with those fearful eyes.
I wanted to hold her right then and there... This wasn't fair... This whole... situation with Saddle. What we were doing... I didn't know the full story as to what led to this bloodbath, but I knew there was something wrong with the ponies I once called family.
"Promise me you won't move, until we leave. Promise me."
"I... I promise." She traced an 'x' over her heart with her hoof. "Cross my heart." She made a poor imitation of flying with both of her forehooves, next. "Hope to fly." She then proceeded to put a hoof over her eye. "Stick a cupcake in my eye."
... Um... I didn't know what that was all about, but okay. I guess... I'll take that as a yes.
I moved away from the couch and made my way to the exit. Just as I was about to open the door, Firebright beat me to it. Shadowmark and Darkspark stood on both sides, behind her.
"Anything?" She asked.
"Negative." I said quietly.
The three of them seemed to regard their EFS, but I knew not to worry... Unless the filly's spell wore off.
"Wait..." Shadowmark said, looking over, towards the corner of the living room...
... Where the couch was...
Fuck... No... Please don't do this...
I turned around to see a red marker on my EFS, but it was moving across the room.
Firebright turned to Darkspark. "There's a cellar on the side of the building. Go check it out."
He nodded, then trotted away.
She looked back at me, and then at Shadowmark. "You two. In."
I moved back inside, and Shadowmark walked in, making the floorboards creak with each step. I didn't think the flooring could take much more weight than my own.
Firebright walked in after, and they dispersed around the house. Shadowmark investigated the kitchen, to which I saw him take a six pack of Sparkle Colas, and a few Fancy Buck cakes, while Firebright searched the bedrooms.
I stood next to the couch, pretending that I had searched behind it, once I saw Fire's blip coming back.
I looked up after staring down at the filly for a few seconds, to see my sister looking at me from the entrance of the hallway that led to the bedrooms.
"Clear." I said with a nod, walking away from the couch.
"I thought you had searched this place before we came here." She stated in a serious tone that had me spooked.
"Yeah, well it's best to be thorough." I replied, staring her in the visor. Eye contact certainly was a lot easier to make when telling lies behind a one-way visor.
She regarded me for a while before looking at Shadowmark. "Alright then..."
There was a flash of red in the cracks, between the floorboards, and the red blip vanished. Not long after, Darkspark came back.
"What was it?" Fire asked.
"Just a radroach." He replied. "Let's catch up with the rest. I still have ammo that needs spending, and I don't want to waste it on things like radroaches and radhogs... Those are easy pickings."
Firebright turned to me, and I had a pretty good feeling that she wasn't in her cheerful, yet snarky attitude anymore. I was seeing a completely new side to her I never knew existed. I knew she was an asshole from time to time... But she wasn't a murderer... At least, I didn't think she was...
It was clear I didn't have the best judge of character. I didn't even know her anymore...
"Yes." She said in a calm tone. "Let's."


(((((((◉)))))))


Corpses and piles of ash stretched along the streets of Saddle. Houses were intentionally engulfed in flame after being looted for any valuables and food.
That's when my suspicions were proved correct.
We weren't Steel Rangers... We were just more sophisticated raiders.
... And it made me sick.
I walked beside Firebright as we made our way to what was once the town hall, before we started killing everypony... I had done it too... It was either be the firing squad, or be their targets...
The rangers had gotten the generator out of the building. Forcefully. A hole had been blasted into the side of the three story, brick structure. It made me wonder how the massive generator was inside, to begin with.
One Vertibuck hovered over the metal, mechanical box, while the rangers hooked cables up on the top of it, which dropped down from the bottom of the vehicle.
The other two circled the town like hawks, being the watchful eye in the sky, searching for more helpless prey.
All this death... And for what? A stupid generator that we were just going to end up taking apart.
I looked down at a colt's corpse as we passed by it. One eye dangled from its socket, soaking in a puddle of blood. As if that wasn't bad enough, a hole had been drilled into his skull from a laser shot, revealing that the brain had been chewed through. Only hints of it remained. It dug through from one ear, to the other...
I stopped. I couldn't anymore. I couldn't do it. Not anymore... I was shaking within the suit of armor.
I... helped...
I was just as bad as the rangers...
This armor made me a monster... I had wanted to wear one for as long as I could remember. I worked my way up to this day. To the opportunity of going to the surface.
I got my wish...
And I was paying the price of admission.
This wasn't at all what I had expected of us...
We were monsters...
Monsters in search for the neverending hunger of technology.
That's all it was ever about...
We were greed.
Firebright stopped and looked back at me as I removed my helmet. I dropped it on the ground with a loud, metal thud against the cracked asphalt, beside the dead colt. I just... couldn't...
I lived under a lie, and now that I was seeing the truth for the very first time... I... I didn't know what to do...
Something rose from my stomach, and I hurled, gagged, spat, and vomited my breakfast all over my helmet. I didn't care.
I didn't care about the fucking armor. I didn't care for the Steel Rangers. I didn't care for my own sister anymore. I didn't care for myself.
I just... didn't... care.
I couldn't even bear to look at her...
She sighed, then faced me directly. I kept my head down as more of the contents came spilling from my lips, and burning at my throat.
"There's something you need to realize about all this, lil' bro." She spoke in her calm voice, as if nothing had ever happened. That only made me more sick. I choked and cried; my tears mixing with the chunky mixture of undissolved, chewed up food, and stomach acid that pooled up around my helmet. I didn't cry for myself, but for the ones that were killed on this day. "They had a choice in all this." She continued. "They could have given us the generator, or they could have chosen to die for it." There was a brief pause, and when I glanced up at her, I saw she was looking at the dead colt, nudging her hoof against his head. "This is their fault. Not ours."
"Bullshit..." I muttered, spitting out some chunky bits that got caught in my mouth.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me..." I wanted to collapse right there...
"You must think I enjoyed this. Believe me, I don't. But ponies die every day out here."
"So it's okay for us to go and slaughter them!?" I shouted.
There was a momentary pause between us. "They killed themselves by not giving us the generator. They chose this path. I really need you to see that. Because, if you don't... I can't do anything to help you. I can't be held accountable for what Elder Bristle will do to you..." She started to sound desperate, and I looked up at her. "Please, Charger... Don't protest against it. Just... don't."
"Fuck you..." I said under my shaky breath. "AND FUCK THE STEEL RANGERS!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
Almost all the rangers looked over at me. I glared back at them, eager to kill them all...
Suddenly, the emotional burdens were mixed in with physical ones, when I felt the armor stiffen up and get harder to move.
"Well, enough of that, then." I heard Crimsonthunder say from behind as he walked into my peripherals, until coming to a complete stop right before me. He held my power core in his hoof, and Firebright hung her head down a little. "Have there been any signs of the other megaspell source?"
"Negative, sir." She quickly raised her head to look at him as she stood firm.
He sighed. "Damn it..." Turning to me, he continued. "Bristle isn't going to be too happy about another recruit turning against him." He clicked his tongue as he shook his head in disapproval. A compartment opened up in his chest, and he slipped the core inside. It sealed shut. "He had such high hopes for you, too." He spoke in an almost pitiful tone, but I knew sarcasm when I heard it. Firebright was my sister, damn it! Of course I knew sarcasm! "Your sim training was impeccable. And your physical training was... Let's go with moderate. Not the best, but I had seen much worse." He looked down at my bile-drenched helmet, then back up at me. "Was that really necessary?"
"Was this?" I asked in a hateful tone, glancing at the death around me.
"Sir." A ranger approached from behind, before he could respond to my question. He turned around and looked at the ranger.
"What is it?"
"HQ sent us a new scan. The other target is just... gone. They can't find it anywhere."
"What?" He asked in a snappy tone. "How does that even happen? We've been watching this place for three weeks, and each scan showed two anomalies! Two!"
"Maybe it was a glitch, sir."
"It wasn't a fucking glitch! It was there!" He sighed and shook his head. "It doesn't matter..." He spoke more calmly. "It'll turn up again, soon enough. You can't hide megaspell anomalies very easily." He looked at me, then Firebright, then the soldier. "Let's get back. The sooner we're out of here, the better."
"Yes, sir." The ranger saluted and trotted off.
Crimson looked back at me and spoke cruelly. "Start walking."
"Crimson..." Fire started, but he snapped a look at her.
"No." Turning back to me, he resumed, once a Vertibuck landed where we had deployed from. "Walk to the Vertibuck, get in, and wait there. Fire, you stay with him and watch him. It's time to put his training to the test..."
"Yes... sir." She saluted him, grabbed my helmet, slipped it over my head, and pointed to where the Vertibuck landed. "Go."
The energy gauge blinked red at me from within the helmet, and with it, came a beeping that grew more obnoxious, the more I heard it. My visor was dirty with the contents of my stomach. I found I couldn't get out of the suit. He had to have done something to it without my knowing, before he removed the core.
Sneaky bastard...
Either he was sneaky, or I wasn't very perceptive of things...
I put all my strength into lifting one hoof, but the suit didn't want me moving.
Turning around to face the other direction had already put a strain on my muscles... And the Vertibuck was at the edge of the town, while I was still in the center...
I'd have preferred death over this...
One step forward took about ten seconds for me to fulfill, but the more I went on, the longer it took to do. That wasn't including the breaks I took to catch my breath. At least my respirator was still working... And at least I couldn't smell the bile on my helmet.
Fire stayed behind me the entire time I fought to walk.
I had seen ponies walk without a core in their armor before. They showed little struggle doing so. Walked a lot slower, sure. But they made it look like they were choosing to walk at that pace.
I certainly wished I could have that strength, right about now...
I felt worse than a pack mule.
The good news was that the armor was built around a frame, which always stood, unless the wearer wanted to do otherwise. So, despite the heavy burden on my features, the frame supported most of that weight, keeping me up.
"Why..." I started, panting. "Why are you letting this happen...?"
"I have my orders." She spoke softly. "I'm loyal to my job."
"What about to your family?" I said behind clenched teeth, trying to move my hindleg forward. My muscles were protesting like crazy, and I hadn't even walked a full block yet.
There was a brief pause between us, before she responded.
"I took an oath, lil' bro. The safety of the rangers comes first, no matter the cost. Family comes second."
"Safety..." I laughed under my breath, and I found I was barely able to even do that, now. My lungs were strained from all the heaving. I felt like my heart was about to fail me. "Do you even hear yourself when you speak?"
"Well, I didn't say your safety. Now, did I?" There was a coldness in her voice. "No one at home knows about what we really do, and it's going to stay that way. We can't afford to crumble. If the truth got out there..." She didn't bother finishing her statement.
I heard the Vertibucks growing closer behind me, but I couldn't look back. Even the veins in my neck were screaming at me to stop this. My body was getting ready to shut down.
The vehicle ahead stayed on the ground, I noticed. I couldn't see it, seeing as it was on the other side of several other buildings, but I didn't see it take off, either.
The other two Vertibucks flew side by side, overhead; one of them hauling the megaspell generator with them, as they flew over the grey forest, to the south; their destination; Vanhoover.
Home.
Or... At least, I once thought it was.
Now, I wasn't too sure.
"Firebright, please... Just give me a core..." I spoke in a raspy voice. I was dying for some water... "I'm asking as your brother..."
"Sorry. Not gonna happen."
"Please!" I begged. "My body feels like it's going to shatter! My heart can't take much more..."
"I believe in ya, kiddo. Just gotta have a heart as strong as horses." She said in a snarky tone.
"Fire, please..."
"No!" She snapped. "Quit asking and get moving! Otherwise, I'm ordered to shoot you."
That was it. I had enough.
I stopped.
"What are you doing?" She asked harshly. "I mean it, Charger. I don't want to shoot you, but I will if I have to."
I stood there, staring straight ahead. In my view, was a street covered in the blood and corpses of innocent ponies. Spent cells littered the ground. I imagined they came from the rangers.
Pillars of smoke rose in the sky from nearby buildings.
There was a storm rolling in from the east, but the sun was still bright in the blue, almost empty sky.
I heard her laser rifles ready up.
"You have three seconds to keep moving, or I'm going to shoot you."
I stood there, looking up at the sky. The beautiful sky...
"One..."
The sun's light flowed through the visor of my helmet, caressing my face with it's warm comfort. I had never felt the sun before... Had never even seen it. Nor the sky. Nor a tree.
Despite how wonderful it was, it hurt to stare at. Even through the darkened visor.
"Two..."
I closed my eyes, waiting for it all to end...
Something I found quite odd, however, was that she was using her laser rifles on me, while I was still wearing the armor. Wasn't power armor resistant to ener-
I heard the blast of two rifles go off, and a sharp pain grew in my backside. Two shots became four, and four became six. Six became eight, and the sun went off like a light, and with it, the agonizing pain in my entire body.
I thought she said on three.


(((((((◉)))))))


I awoke to the whirring of a Vertibuck, as I laid on my side. The beeping within my helmet was still there, as was the red flashing.
Each muscle was sore, and there was a burning sensation to my flank. Sleep sounded wonderful, right now.
I was staring at the metal floor of the vessel, and at the top of my visor, I caught a glimpse of the outside. The side doors were left open.
My EFS told me we were heading south, back to Vanhoover.
I heard Firebright's voice.
"So, what are we going to do with him?"
"What we did with everypony else." Crimson replied. "Wanna be in the firing squad, this time?"
She sighed. "He's still my brother..."
"And now he's labelled a traitor." He snapped. "He's a liability. You do want to protect the Steel Rangers, don't you?"
"Yes, but..."
"No buts!" He barked. "No exceptions! That's the elder's orders. The system is there for a reason."
"Your system is fucked..." I muttered.
There was a pause, and I felt all eyes on me.
"Well, look who finally decided to wake up." Crimson walked around me, and I saw his steel hooves in front of my visor. I didn't bother looking up. I didn't have the strength to do anything, right now. "Welcome back to the land of the living, Charger. Fortunately, for the safety and well-being of the Steel Rangers, your stay will be short lived."
"If you're gonna kill me, just get it over with and spare me the drama..."
He chuckled, and my sight shifted closer to the ledge. "You got it." My head dropped down over the drop off, and I got a pretty good view of the forest below. The forest where the grey trees moved.
"Sir." Fire spoke up. "We're not supposed to. He's supposed to be delivered to Elder Bristle, first..."
Crimson sighed, and I stopped sliding off the ledge. "Yeah, yeah... Take the fun out of everything... I was really set on seeing him fly, though..."
My body stayed where it was, unfortunately. I was getting pretty sick from seeing how far up we were from the ground. But it was just something I had to put up with. This view was going to be all I saw for the duration of the trip back to what would be the death of me.
Still... Perhaps this wasn't entirely a bad thing. At the very least, there was a silver lining to all this. I always wanted to know what the surface was like. If anything, I considered this a final wish being fulfilled, even if it he wasn't satisfying my curiosity intentionally.
Quite suddenly, there was a jolt in our flight. I slid back inside the vessel just a little bit. My head was elevated with the floor now, so that was pleasant. I think I had a bit of vertigo...
I started feeling horrible... Not that I didn't already, with what happened in Saddle. But I felt worse. As if somepony set the dial of my emotions all the way to maximum.
... Was it just me, or did I hear other rangers crying? What the Hell...? Even Crimson seemed distraught!
"Damn it..." One of the rangers said behind a sob. "I hate being in the fucking air..."
The Vertibuck jolted again; this time, a lot more violent than the first.
Once Crimson regained his posture, he pressed a hoof down on the intercom. "What's going on?" His voice was shaking.
"Just... Just hit a bit of turbulence..." The pilot replied. "Damn it, my tear ducts are acting up... Sorry about that, everypony... We should be okay from here on ou-"
Then the Vertibuck jolted abruptly, sending us all airborne. Two of the rangers had fallen out and plummeted down to the forest below, screaming.
"We just lost two!" Fire shouted.
"Go down there and-" Crimson started, but another jolt sent everypony falling over. "SEAL THE EXITS!" He shouted out of frustration from being gravity's doormat.
The two miniguns on both sides slid within the confines of the vessel, and the doors started to close. They were moving a lot slower than I had remembered, though.
There was a scream in the air as the gap grew thinner between the doors and the walls. Over time, I thought it had been the wind from our high elevation. But as it grew louder and more distinct, I was having second thoughts. This sounded more like... A cry. A cry of anger. A cry of trauma. A cry of grief.
I found myself crying with it.
"Sy...tems..." Chhk! "A... ing!" The intercom buzzed, and the scream appeared on the system for a few seconds, raising the volume to earsplitting levels, until the speakers couldn't take much more, and blew up.
Yep, that's pretty much how my ear drums felt right now... I felt a warm substance leaking from both of them.
The scream resumed in the distance, and looking up, I saw Firebright and Crimsonthunder were completely clueless as to what was going on. In their defense, I was too.
"What the Hell is tha-" Fire started to ask, before we were all sent bouncing around inside the Vertibuck, crashing into the walls, floor, ceiling, and each other.
The doors were about a quarter away from sealing us in, before they stopped completely, and the whirring of the vehicle's motors started to die. Everypony stiffened up and ceased movement.
Anything audible outside of my helmet became next to mute. The red blinking of the light and the consistent beeping that was so set on informing me that I had no power in my suit ceased to be. The statistics of my armor on the tiny screen, and the conditions of it stopped glowing, and a much darker, non-lit pony armor diagram took its place.
All I could hear was the screaming outside, and the sobbing of my own, shaky voice.
My EFS compass was spinning around in circles faster and faster. It set off my vertigo just watching it. I struggled to turn my head so that I could look through the gap to the outside, and saw we were spinning out of control...
... And descending to the forest below...
Okay, nope. Vertigo going crazy. Closing my eyes now.
As we crashed through the trees, I was thrown across the inside of the Vertibuck, against the rear. One of the rangers landed on top of me, but I still had a pretty good view of the majority of the inside of the vessel. Firebright and Crimsonthunder were side by side, towards the front. Some of the other rangers were with them, while others were with me.
The screaming had come to an end.
For the better part of an hour, we all laid there, motionless. I had calmed down, but tears stained my face. I couldn't just wipe them away. I'd have to deal with it later... Not that it really mattered anymore. I was dead anyways.
I couldn't tell if the others were out cold, or were just unable to move.
Everything was still.
Everything was quiet.
Everything felt wrong.
The red light flickered back on, resumed its blinking, and with it, the audible, obnoxious beeping that gave me the needless reminder that I didn't have a core in my armor.
Sigh...
Sound became much more clearer for me, outside of the suit of armor. Everypony else's armor seemed to be rebooting as well.
Firebright moved her head around slowly, looking at the others. "Everypony alright?"
"Define 'alright.'" I muttered in reply.
The other rangers either nodded, or verbally acknowledged that they were.
She turned to Crimson. "Commander?"
"Yeah..." He said in a deep, slightly irritated tone. "Yeah, I'm fine... Can anypony move?"
The crashed Vertibuck was filled with a lot of 'negatives' or 'no, sir.'
"Alright..." He spoke in a low volume. "Let's just wait here for a little bit and let our cores wake up. Then we'll-"
There was that same crunch that I heard when we were going to Saddle. Only, now it was right outside the crashed Vertibuck. As if entire limbs were being torn from the trees.
"Shit..." The ranger on top of me whispered in a panicked tone. "Shit, shit, shit!" He started raising his voice. "It's gonna kill us! It's gonna-"
"Shut up." Crimson hissed behind what I imagined were clenched teeth, doing well to keep his voice low.
The ranger whimpered. "We're all gonna die... We're all gonna die!"
"Somepony shut him up!" Fire whispered in desperation. "We're all gonna die if you keep moving your lips!"
I heard the ground being dug through, and something tunneled underneath the earth, cracking the asphalt, before the Vertibuck was bumped and scraped.
The ranger let out a panicked cry.
I had no idea what was out there, with the exception of moving trees and deserted buildings. I didn't know what the trees did apart from move, and I didn't know what that thing outside did, but judging by this guy's reaction, I wasn't too keen on finding out.
There was a metallic groan towards the front of the vehicle, before we all heard the pilot's frantic cries and muffled screams for help, as he was dragged away to the unknown. His armor didn't seem to have the same luck as everypony else's.
The ranger on top of me had a hard time calming himself, and the moment the doors protested as they were being torn open, he screamed.
"Fuck..." I heard Crimson mutter.
I watched as one door was ripped entirely from the rest of the vehicle, letting out a metallic scream as it was, as if the Vertibuck itself was alive and capable of feeling pain. The other was forced to the side.
A series of grey, veiny, dirt-covered, raggedy tentacles came into view, following the source of the ranger's screams with ease. I felt him struggled to move off of me, but his effort was futile.
The appendages wrapped around his steel form and hauled him off of me, dragging his still body outside to join the same fate as the pilot.
More of them came in for the all-you-can-eat buffet as his screams faded within the depths of the forest. They felt around until coming across other rangers. As one was dragged off to join the other two, the other stood up and gave the tentacles both lasers. His core and his weapons seemed to be online just in time.
They dropped the ranger, recoiling and writhing from the burning pain that was inflicted on them. The ranger with the active armor grabbed his friend by her outstretched hoof in attempts to pull her back inside.
The tentacles came back; this time, with a much more aggressive nature to their being.
They wrapped around her waist in a firm grasp, tugging at her. Her friend almost fell out with her, but he refused to let go. She screamed out of fear of what was going to happen to her. That part remained a mystery to me.
"Hang on! I'm not losing you!" He shouted, trying his best to pull her back in.
More tentacles came in from behind, wrapping around his hindleg and pulling him the opposite direction from where the others pulled her.
He fired three shots at the appendages before the ones from behind ripped the guns off his body. Sparks flew from both sides of him, where the rifles once were, and the tentacles tightened around the dismantled weapons; first denting the frame, and then turning it into nothing more than two un-salvagable scraps of technology. They made it look as easy as crumpling up a candy wrapper! I most certainly didn't want to tussle with them...
They tightened around her waist, and her fearful screams for her own life turned into screams filled with pure, unadulterated agony. Her armor started to cave in around where the tentacles were.
"I got you! Just don't let-" was all he could say, before she was torn in two. He hung onto her upper half; his hoof still locked with hers, staring down at the still form that gushed blood. Her innards sprawled along the flooring, leading to the right ledge of the Vertibuck. The lower half was dragged away.
Everything seemed to be almost completely drained of color, here. There was still red, but it was very faint.
I'd probably have puked from that, but my breakfast had already come back up, staring at a dead colt with his head blown out from a laser rifle, earlier that day. I didn't think there was anything left inside me to bring up.
Still... I got a rancid taste in my mouth, just seeing that.
The stallion sat down on his haunches, looking down at her armored head.
"River..." He muttered under his shaky, broken, tear-ridden voice, still holding her limp hoof in his, to which he put to the side of his armored face, as if seeking comfort. In the meantime, the tentacles wrapped around his form, but he didn't seem to care.
It was that moment I knew...
He lost hope.
He was pulled away, and with him, came the upper half of his friend, River.
The hostilities were coming back for more. This time, it was a three course meal. Firebright, Crimsonthunder, and I. They weren't inside yet, but I could most definitely hear them making their way here.
... If that's indeed what they were taking us for. I had no idea. But I had some wild theories, some of which went to lewd thoughts.
I most certainly didn't want to find out for sure...
Crimson stood up on all fours, finally able to move. "We're leaving." He held out a hoof to my sister, and Fire took it. He lifted her up.
Fire looked down at me. "What about him?"
"Forget about him." He snapped. "He'll only slow us down, and I intend to make it out of here alive..."
"He's still my brother..."
He let out an exasperated sigh. "Well, in that case..." He looked at her as his chest compartment opened up, and he pulled my power core out, handing it over. She took it and looked back at him. "Good luck, Firebright. Don't get killed." With that, he jumped out and cantered off.
She peeked outside, watching as he hoofed it through the hellish forest. She sighed and looked back at me, shortly after.
"You're on your own, lil' bro... Don't come back home..." She slid the core back home, and I felt power get restored to my armor. The power gauge went up to 83 percent.
Fire turned around, walked to the exit, and looked back at me one final time...
And I at her...
"Good luck, Charger..." She spoke softly. "See you in another life..."
And then she was gone...
I stood up on all fours, and Celestia's royal genitalia, did my muscles ache!
There was no time to rest, though... I needed to get out of here.
I jumped out of the vessel, and ran the other direction that I saw her go. Vanhoover wasn't an option for me, anymore...
My closest bet, for the time being, was Saddle.
The town... Not the city. Man, they really should have picked their own name...
The sun's light just barely poured through the grey leaves in pale beams of gold. Even the color from the light was altered.
I didn't remember this being in picture books...
Trees had grown right through the streets of this large city. Not just the streets... Buildings too! Though, it was less likely to happen than it did for the asphalt. Just what happened here!?
I heard the asphalt cracking and shifting beneath me as I stormed through the merciless forest. I dared not look back, for if I did, it would have been the end of me.
Then I saw it...
Straight ahead.
The source of the appendages that swept up nearly everypony in the Vertibuck...
The tentacles came from the trees... Fuck me sideways, the trees were the source; the tentacles their roots!
Sweet Celestia, the surface was bizarre!
And terrifying!
If the roots were what I had to worry about...
... Then I was surrounded...
I heard something speak next to me, in a soft, hissing, serpent-like voice.
"Yessssss..."
I looked around frantically as I ran for my life, and to my right, one of the trees jumped out from the ground; it's roots lunging at me as dirt and chunks of road were thrown in the air. I swerved left, bolting through the entrance of what I believed was once a coffee shop.
I always heard about there being remains of ponies from before the bombs fell. Skeletons and such.
I know I haven't been on the surface long, but I didn't see so much as a single bone out here, yet. For a city, I found that rather odd.
The roots slid in through the broken, windowless window frames, darting towards me as I ran through the building, while the dirty, black and white tiled flooring behind me was flung up to the ceiling, bringing up dirt and rusty pipes with it.
Okay! Running! Running! Running! Running! No time for sightseeing! I get it!
I reached the end of the building and made a right turn, up a flight of wooden stairs.
Halfway up, the stair under my hindleg gave out from the massive weight of my armor. I didn't stop. I had to keep going. If I got caught, I got... Well.. killed, I guess. Not really shot.
With each quick, careless step I took, the more broken the stairs became.
The roots sprouted from below the staircase, knocking me down on my stomach. My forelegs rested on the platform that led to a much shorter staircase, to my right.
The snapping and creaking of wood started growing beneath me.
... Oh no...
I lunged forward just as the stairs gave up on supporting my weight, and the roots lunged at me in attempts to grab me. I rammed my shoulder against the wall, trying to turn and go up the next set. Instead, I ended up leaving a pretty gnarly hole in the structure.
I jumped up the short set just before the roots could get to me, and burst through a metal door that read in a rusted, beat up sign, 'Authorized Personnel Only.'
Consider me authorized personnel, because that sign wasn't going to stop me.
I stood there, on the second story rooftop, looking down at the streets below, as they were torn apart by hundreds of thrashing roots, sowing through the earth and asphalt as if they were making a dress. A very crude, unfashionable dress.
Fortunately, my EFS picked up on them as hostile entities.
Unfortunately, looking around in every direction, my EFS was covered in red. There was no room for empty gaps anywhere.
First day on the surface, I watched a settlement get slaughtered for a fucking generator, and now I had to deal with an army of pissed off trees trying to kill me.
I'm starting to have a strong distaste for the surface...
I looked for my options of escape, and only found one possibility.
I didn't have much time. I could hear the roots destroying everything below; both in and out of the building I was on.
Looking back at the door, I saw the roots coming up.
Nope.
I backed up from the ledge, next to a five story building. Between that and the one I was on, was a small alleyway. So even if I failed this jump, I could still make it out of here... Maybe.
I made a running leap for the window ahead. To my surprise, the suit of armor didn't come crashing down immediately. The unicorns back hom... er... back at the bunkers... They must have done something to it. Magically altered its weight when airborne or something...
I didn't get how magic worked... It was all alien to me.
I crashed through the brick wall of the building, shattering the glass window with it, and sliding along the wooden flooring on four hooves, before coming to a halt.
"OH YEAH!" I shouted in one loud cheer.
... Then the wood creaked and groaned, and I looked down...
"Oh no..." I let out in a tiny, pathetic whimper.
Before I could move, the flooring gave out, sending me down to the first floor of the building. I crashed down on a table, immediately flattening it, and with it, the terminal that rested atop its surface.
I really wished I could get out of this damned armor...
"Yesssssss..."
I got up and looked through the window to my left to see the roots slithering down the alleyway, hissing that one word.
One of them tapped on the glass pane, as if they were knocking and requesting entry.
I cocked my head to the side, wondering why it was doing tha-
It slammed through, striking the wall next to me, as I had ducked just in time. It whipped around the room in a vicious frenzy, knocking down framed pictures, filing cabinets, and even going as far as ripping open a closet door and tearing it to shreds.
I got up after crawling out from under it's limb and made a run for the door opposite the closet... And made a lot of noise doing so.
The root wrapped around my form, hugging my chest tight.
It's mistake was not hugging my waist.
I fired as many rounds as I could into the appendage, and it instantly recoiled and swung around the room again in a violent manner. I turned around to face it and kept firing, and that was where I made my own mistake.
I could have run for it. I could have just opened the door and booked it. But I got cocky and just wanted to see that thing in pain.
Because of that, it struck me in the chest with one swing, knocking me through the door to the other room. My back struck a wooden counter, and knowing me, I tore through it like scissors to paper.
I slid on the dirty, what was once a shiny, fancy wooden flooring, before coming to a halt and quickly recovering on all fours, getting in a defensive stance. I imagined this place was filled with beautiful colors, once... It looked like a five-star inn at one point.
My chestplate had absorbed a lot of the damage from that hit, but now the chest of the pony diagram within my helmet was bright red. Another hit in that region could very well kill me. I needed to be more careful.
More roots were coming in through the window.
I heard a bang on the tall, double mahogany doors behind me, and the crevice between it and the floor revealed their shadows.
I took a look at my surroundings.
To my right was a victorian-style staircase. That wasn't an option... I officially hated stairs.
Let's see... Window? Nope. Creepy, pissed off tente-roots about to get in through there. Other window? Nope. Same deal...
The elevator looked busted, and even though fixing things was what my cutiemark said I did, I lacked two vital instruments; my toolbox, and time.
Crap... Fuck it! Stairs it is!
I ran up the stairs, doing my best to ignore their protests as I ascended. I didn't have time to hear their bitchy complaints or worry about their structural integrity! I had to go!
To my fortune, I made it to the top of the stairs, back to the second floor. I look a left; this time, being more careful not to stomp down.
About a quarter way across the corridor, the roots sprung out from the hole I had made, way on the other side. The appendages that were once making their way to the roof of the coffee shop had gone through the hole I inflicted on the wall.
The stairs that led up were beside them, to their left.
Damn it...
Wait...
I froze dead in my tracks and studied their movements. They were sliding along the ground, tapping the floor, walls, and ceiling on occasion, as they gradually and carefully made their way down the corridor, toward me.
I grinned behind my helmet, realizing what this was all about, and took very slow, cautious steps back, doing my best to not make any noise.
"Yessssss..."
I wasn't sure if they knew, but them talking actually worked in my favor. From their hissings, I could determine how far they were away from me, if I wasn't able to see them.
"Yesssssss!"
I froze. That was...
I turned around to see more roots coming from the stairs.
... Again, I'm not sure if they knew, but them talking helped me out. A lot. I didn't know what they were 'yessing' about, but hey... if it gave me a signal to find, then I wasn't gonna question it.
Okay... Options! Time to brainstorm!
Options, options, options...
... I only had one option...
I gently pushed open the door to my right, which was left ajar for 200-something years. The hinges did not like that one bit.
Oops...
The roots went belligerent and bolted towards the sound, which meant they were bolting towards me.
I guess they didn't like it either... Finally there was something we could all agree on.
I swung the door open, ran in, and slammed it shut behind me, hearing the lock click once the latch caught.
I backed up a little bit, facing the door, just hoping that the lock would actually prove useful.
It didn't.
One second, there was a door. The next, I was blasted with thousands of tiny, wooden shards.
The roots went back to tapping the walls, floor, and ceiling in a calm manner, once their obstacle was destroyed.
I looked at the window, then back at them, then to the window again. Okay, this was extremely risky... But I couldn't just stand here forever... They'd catch me sooner or later...
I only had one shot at this...
I ran for the window as fast as I possibly could, and I heard the roots get violent again, chasing after me.
I punched my hoof through the glass and ducked below the window, next to the heater, bringing my arm down with me. Just in time, too. The roots followed the sound of broken glass, going through the window frame.
Ha! It worked! They thought I jumped out! Morons...
Okay, now all I had to do was wait here quietly for their search to end.
Just wait...
Waiting...
Waiting...
... Waiting...


(((((((◉)))))))


I snapped awake, jumping to my hooves, aiming around my surroundings in a panic; an explosion outside putting me on edge.
The roots were gone, which was a relief, to say in the least. If I had jumped up while they were still there, I'd have been caught for sure.
My EFS was clear in all directions.
The explosion must have been out of my range...
I turned to the window, but I didn't see any fire or detonations. I couldn't see the sun anymore, either, making it exceptionally dark out.
I did, however, see water falling from the sky. If I remembered correctly, books referred to this as rain.
It was coming down pretty hard.
The sky lit up in white, shining down on tree tops, and the city beyond, for just a split second, and another heart-pounding explosion roared through the sky.
Oh... Right. Lightning. Forgot that was a thing on the surface.
I always thought that was a myth, until now.
Well, the heavy downpour and the thunder would drown out the sound of me walking, so at least I had that to my advantage. For now...
I turned my headlamp on and flashed it around the room.
This wasn't an inn. These were apartments.
... I... read a lot about the surface and the pre-war days, back in the bunkers.
I was kind of an egghead.
As a colt, I had asked the rangers to bring back catalogues for houses and apartments for me, just so I could know what things were like back then, and imagine myself living in the neatest house I saw in the booklets.
Firebright and I would be neighbors, and have jobs from way back when, before the bombs fell. We'd go to parties that consisted of teddy bears and dolls.
We even kept at it with the fantasies, during our teens years. Though, it was a bit more mature than it had initially been, once Firebright snagged a few bottles of Wild Pegasus in from a scavenger run made by the rangers.
I didn't handle it well. Ended up spending my entire evening in front of a toilet, with the constant threat of releasing the contents in my stomach... And doing so more times than I care to remember.
Fun times...
The living room to this unit was untouched, for the most part. A thick layer of dust coated the surface of pretty much anything and everything here; sitting here, building up, for over 200 years.
I noticed my power gauge was at 70 percent. Running in this suit seemed to eat up power like crazy. I needed to keep that in mind. After all, I was still stuck in this armor, and I definitely didn't want to end up straining my muscles any more than I already had. They were still sore as all hell, but they were still grateful for the little break I had taken. So was I.
My flank still burnt, though. I needed to get that checked out...
I walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge once I started focusing on the empty feeling I had in my gut. I needed to refuel.
Oh... but... If I had to... er... defecate or discharge... Oh boy...
Ugh... I wish there was something built into this suit that could take care of such problems!
I wanted to punch the remains of whoever decided it'd be a good idea to not put a waste disposal unit in their creations...
I dug through the contents within the fridge, looking for anything that was considered 'good.'
Hm... Fancy Bucks cakes. Not exactly the best thing to eat right now, but I'd take a few for the road. Sparkle Cola? Yes please, thank you very much!
"I'd give my left hoof for a steak right about now..." I muttered, turning off the light on my head. I took the helmet off and put it on the counter, beside a Fancy Buck cake. I put my hoof down on one tiny corner of it, and bit down on the other end of the wrapper, tearing it apart.
I didn't want sweets right now. I needed protein. Proper energy. Not junk food. I needed meat.
I took one big bite from the cake, and that's all it took for it to vanish off the counter. It's cherry-filling goodness and my taste buds got along great, and I washed it down with the carrot taste of a Sparkle Cola; chugging the contents of the entire bottle. I was probably going to pay for that, later. And I didn't need it. I would have preferred other things... Like meat. But I was taking what was given to me.
I caught a stench in the air that made me wrinkle my nose. I'm sure there were much worse scents out there, but this still wasn't too pleasant to have around.
I stuck my nose up in the air and sniffed for the source like a hound.
Figured... It led to my helmet.
I grabbed it with a stretched hoof, as if it were contaminated, and made my way to the back porch, opening the glass door. I stepped out and set the helmet down on the flat, wooden surface of the railing. It was too heavy for the wind to push, so I didn't have to worry about losing it. Not unless the entire porch decided to collapse.
... I didn't usually have such a pessimistic nature, but considering everything that happened today, nopony could really blame me.
I stood beside the piece of armor, resting one hoof on the railing; my emerald eyes staring out into the darkness. My dark mane was soaked within a span of a few seconds in contact with the rain, as it blew to my left, with the strong current of the wind.
The rain on my face... The wind in my mane.
I had to admit, it felt nice. It was refreshing for me.
I closed my eyes, taking in the feeling of it all.
Then, through my eyelids, everything grew bright, and the building shook at the blast of thunder, making me jump back and run inside.
I looked back, panting from the cruel surprise.
Well... Hopefully the rain will have washed off the scent of my vomit by the time the sun came back up.
I approached the couch and put my hoof down on the cushion, to which I heard the springs within the furniture squeak, groan, and then pop.
"Oh, I can't wait to get out of this frickin' suit..."
I took my hoof away from the cushion, then bit down on the corner, taking it away from the rest of the couch and tossing it down on the floor, where I woke up from the thunder. I laid back down on my side and rested my head on the soft, comfy reminder of what my pillow was like, back... back at the bunker...


(((((((◉)))))))


Waking up, I realized I had to take a major piss...
Unfortunately, there wasn't much I could do about that... except... let it happen.
Here goes...
I felt the liquid trickle down my leg, to the bottom of my hoof, making me shudder in revulsion.
I'd... I'd just have to wash up later... whenever I got out of this thing. If I ever got out of it, that is.
Knowing my recent luck, I'd be stuck in this flawed piece of hardware until I died of some infection or something.
I got up and awkwardly made my way over to the back porch, embarrassed that I had wet myself, even though no one knew but me... I hadn't done that since I was a colt. I shook my hindleg a little, in desperate hopes that maybe, just maybe, the urine would leak out of the armor. At the moment, I was cursing whoever decided to make the power armor airtight...
I was still cursing them out in my head for not adding waste disposal units...
At least my helmet didn't smell bad now.
I slipped it over my head and looked out into the open, blue, beautiful sky. The trees were as grey as ever. I didn't recall ever reading about grey trees, or even leaves, for that matter. 
Wait...
I looked more carefully at a patch of green in the distance...
Were those... palm trees?
No... That couldn't be. My mind must have been playing tricks on me. There was no green in this place. It wasn't possible. It was just an illusion.
I shook my head and turned around. The storm had passed. It was time to hit the road.
I grabbed the two remaining Fancy cakes and put them in a small compartment in my shoulder. At least this piece of shit had pockets...
I calmly walked out of the apartment unit and made my way down the stairs, which, as I expected, threatened to give out underneath me and send me plummeting to the first floor. Still, I kept my calm and continued on my way, and oddly enough, my expectations had been for nothing. I made it down safely, without destroying anything and making any noise.
The front doors had been caved in, and the roots had moved on sometime yesterday, so I was free to leave without any real troubles.
The land was as dim and depressing as it had been, the other day. I didn't know how far this forest went, but I certainly didn't want to get used to the faded colors. I didn't know a lot of things, apparently.
Funny. I once thought of myself as knowing more than anypony, due to all those books I read in my free time, when I wasn't fixing radios or other machines.
Right... Don't make a sound. Don't rush. Just keep walking. Don't touch the trees. I knew that much.
I had taken note that the ground was completely dry. The how was beyond my understanding, but I wasn't going to stand around trying to solve one of the many mysteries of this place.
A gentle breeze blew past, and litter washed through the streets with the wind.
As I walked, I spotted a half-crumpled piece of paper trailing towards me, and I could have sworn, I caught the glimpse of a pony's face on it. With my curiosity peaked, I put my hoof down on it as it passed by, stopping it in its path. I unraveled the piece of paper to discover that the top right corner was scorched away to ash, long ago. This sheet of paper had gone through a journey of its own.
I was right about there being a face, though. One eye was covered by a rusty, raggedy black mane. His coat was dirty, but I couldn't tell if that was from the distance the paper traveled, or if that was actually how he looked. He glared at me behind that one visible eye, and the malicious grin on his face didn't help convince me he was a good pony.
He wore a black overcoat, and underneath it, was a crimson shirt.
At least... I thought it was crimson. It was kind of faded down here in this... place...
There were three words at the bottom of the wrinkly sheet, followed by a five digit number; one of the texts in big, black, bold letters, and the other two under it in a text half the size as the former.

WANTED


DEAD


REWARD: 15,000 CAPS

The top of the page had less than half of a name. The scorched part had burnt the rest of it away.

MR. H...

A 15,000 cap prize for his head... He sure knew how to make enemies, whoever he was... The fact somepony was willing to part with 15k just to have this guy killed had to mean something. Who did he piss off? How strong was this pony?
I raised my hoof and watched as the wanted poster flew down the road, through the city, continuing on its journey until it couldn't anymore.
Just like me...


(((((((◉)))))))


About two hours into my walk, my ear twitched as I heard the most least expected thing to be in these parts.
A radio.
A functioning radio... playing music, no less. Quite loud, in fact, considering I heard it from where I was, pretty clearly. I was maybe a block or two away from the source.

I see carrots of orange, red apples too
I see them grow for me and you
And I think to myself, "what a wonderful trot"
I see butterflies of blue and bees of yellow
The Celestia blessed day, and the dark Lunar night
And I think to myself, "what a wonderful trot"

I followed the source. This was most uncanny.
Surely, nopony could be arou-
My jaw dropped, behind my visor. This... wasn't possible! My eyes had to have been deceiving me!
A white coated earth pony with a brown mane and tail laid back in a hammock; both ends tied to two of those horrendous, monstrous trees. Despite his close proximity to them, they seemed to ignore him entirely, as he rocked from one side, to the other. His forehooves rested behind his head as his rears crossed each other. His eyes were closed, as he sucked a red and black candy cane. He was smiling! Fucking smiling, right there, in the middle of probably the most deadly forest in the wasteland! Blaring music! How... WHAT!?
Then I spotted the two rangers that fell out of the Vertibuck when the EMP hit... There they were... Their armor torn open... The roots digging into their bodies as their muffled voices whimpered from underneath the helmets.
It was more than obvious that it was an EMP that hit. It was all in the details. I'd sure like to meet the pony that was behind it's activation, though...
Their hooves were spread apart and bound by other roots, which tightened their hold at my approach.
I wanted to help them... They were evil bastards, but damn it, I wanted to help them! They didn't deserve this! Nopony did!
I spotted a HAM radio housed in a satchel, with a microphone connected to it, hanging off a tree branch above the strange stallion, right next to a dead pony, who hung by the neck, via the branch that had a firm grip on him.
The casing of the radio was severely damaged, and I could see a faint, blue glow within.
Beside him was a small, metal cage, with a mechanical rabbit that sat there behind the bars, not really doing anything of interest...
A red flannel, along with a brown, multi-pocketed vest, hung on the same branch, near his head. Beside the apparel, was a straw hat.

The land of Equestria, so pretty and vast
As the ponies passing me by, smiles on their faces
I see ponies bumping hooves, saying "way to go"
They're really saying "I love you"
I hear foals crying, I watch them grow
They'll have so much more fun than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, "what a wonderful trot"
Yes, I think to myself, "what a wonderful trot"

His golden eyes opened and met mine as he kept his smile. He waved a hoof at me in a friendly manner, then went back to the original position I caught him in.
I had a lot of questions for him, but I was afraid to speak, in fear that the roots would react to my voice.
I walked up to him warily, keeping my rifles locked on him, in case this was some sort of trick.
He opened one eye, looking back at me, as I stared down at him behind my black visor.
"Hello." He spoke in a friendly, cheerful tone. "How are you, this lovely morning?"
I opened my mouth both out of shock that he was still alive and talking... And still living, even after, but also to say something. However, I heard nothing come out, out of fear of making any auditory actions. I looked at his radio, then at the trees around us, reminding myself that this guy was out here, blasting music like an idiot, but that somehow... the trees didn't pay any mind to his presence, or his voice, or his music.
I turned back to him; my heart pounding as I opened my mouth again. "There's nothing lovely about this..." I spoke as softly as I could. To my surprise, nothing tried killing me or dragging me away.
"Oh, why sure it is!" He sat up, smiling as he swayed back and forth a bit on his hammock, from his movement. "The sun is out, the sky is bright! Life is wonderful, and I'm wall to wall, treetops tall over here!" He beamed at me. "The signal is as strong as ever, around these parts."
Huh... He knew his radio slang... How about that...
I looked over at the two rangers, backing away from the clearly delusional stallion. "Did you have anything to do with those two?"
He looked at them, sucking on the candy cane after readjusting it to the other corner of his mouth. "Those robots were there when I got here."
"Robots?" I looked back at him. "They're not robots. They're ponies!"
He shrugged. "If ya say so, robot."
"I'm not a robot." I pointed my hoof at the rabbit in the cage. "That's a robot."
He frowned at me, shifting the cane to the other side of his lips again, then looked down at what was very clearly his pet. "I think you need your sensors fixed, robot. That's very clearly a healthy, happy, living bunny rabbit."
I felt my eye twitch, and an aggravated burning annoyance grew in my chest. He wasn't serious... was he?
"What's your handle?" He asked, regarding me as he resumed sucking the flavor from the candy hanging from his lips like a cigar.
"Charger. And yours?" Good thing I knew radio talk.
"My name is Para." He put a hoof to his chest, closing his eyes and smiling. Then he pointed that same hoof at me, his eyes locked with my visor. "What do you charge?"
"... Uh, what?"
"You're a robot that charges. What do you charge, and how do you charge it?"
I sighed and put my hoof to my visor. I couldn't believe I was actually having this conversation...
"Para. I. Am. A. Pony." There was no convincing him... Unless...
I looked around. The roots still ignored us, as if we weren't even here... Weird, but okay.
I removed my helmet, and his eyes got big.
"See? I'm a pony."
"You're a pony!" He balked, dropping the candy cane from his mouth. In mid drop, he caught it with both hooves, and slid it back in his mouth; this time chewing on it.
"I... yes, I just said that..." Really...?
"How are you fitting inside that robot, what with all their circuits and wiring getting in the way?" Judging from his facial expression, he was still astonished by this.
I was astonished by his question... Dumbfounded, was a more appropriate word, actually.
I shook my head. "That's not important. Can you tell me where you came from?"
"Well, I just left from a town called Saddle, yesterday morning. As for where I'm from... I don't... rightly know..." He put his hoof to his chin in thought, knitting his brows.
I had to admit... For a wastelander, this guy - as crazy as he was - was very well groomed. Smooth coat. Healthy figure. Strong. His impossibly bright, shiny, white teeth... I couldn't find a scratch on him! Not even a speck of dirt! How was that even possible?
I didn't really roll that way, but... he was kinda cute.
At least... I didn't think I rolled that way. Now, I wasn't too sure.
"Are you crazy?" I asked.
"Hm?" He snapped back into 'reality,' or, at least, the closest thing to it, for him. "Oh. I can't, in all fairness, answer that. Crazy ponies don't think they're crazy. They think they're getting saner."
... Okay, good point. He had me beat, there.
I looked around his little resting site, and noticed something was off with this whole thing... As if it wasn't 'off' before... It was only getting weirder and weirder.
I looked back up at him with a raised eyebrow. "You don't have any weapons. How are you even alive?"
"Pfft..." He waved a dismissive hoof at me. "Weapons are for chumps. Killing is for the weak."
"You've never killed anyone?" I cocked my head to the side a little.
"Nope." He shook his head after swallowing the chunks of candy cane in his mouth, smiling at me. "Never hurt a soul in my life!
I highly doubted that... But I wished I could say the same for myself...
"Aren't you... you know..." I paused and looked around at our scenery. "Afraid of the trees...?"
"Trees?" He looked up at them with curiosity. "Why would I be afraid of trees? They provide photosynthesis."
"Photo... what-esis?" I frowned.
He looked at me as if I had just asked what two plus two equaled. "Oxygen? Good ol' H2O? The number one reason any of us are alive? Come on, this is basic knowledge!"
"I know what oxygen is." I stated matter-of-factly. "Just never heard the word... Photo-what's-it-what." It sounded more scientific... And I only read little foal books on trees. Never the big, more adult ones!
I suddenly felt very stupid...
Now when I say 'read,' I mean more like looking through the pictures.
I was little, okay!? Reading didn't sound fun at the time!
"Oh, it's okay." Para smiled, patting me on the head with his hoof. I then realized I was sulking. "You don't have to feel bad."
I looked on at him, my sulking face gradually forming to a more frustrated one as he continued.
Eventually, he stopped. "Well..." He hopped out of his hammock and stood up on his hindlegs, using the trunk of the tree at the foot of his swinging fabric to support himself from falling down, as he reached for his radio, taking it down, and the satchel with it. During that time, I saw a black rabbit foot for a cutiemark on his flank. His nice, firm... Stop it, Charger!
"I suppose it's time to hit the road." He looked back at me, biting on the strap of his satchel and smiling. "Wanna come with?"
"Sure... I guess." I said, looking away in desperate attempts to hide my blushing. I glanced back at him once more as he turned his back to me, and I froze at the sight of two stumps sticking out through a white bandage wrapped around his torso. I don't know how I didn't notice it before... But I knew then that he wasn't an earth pony.
He was a pegasus with his wings ripped off...
The bandages weren't bloody, so that meant that they were removed long ago.
He seemed a bit too happy for a pony that lost a special part of them...
... I envied that.
He put his flannel, vest, and straw hat on, then lifted the cage onto his back, making sure not to squish the stumps with the container. The bunny let out a mechanical squeak.
"Oh, you're hungry again, aren't you?" He reached into one of the many pockets of his vest and pulled out a carrot, sliding it between the bars, to which his pet devoured with a rotary blade, once the mouth opened.
He beamed at it, then at me, before grabbing his satchel, putting the strap around his waist, and tightening it so that it hugged him tight.
I slipped my helmet back on, and found that my core had 4 percent power left before I was back to struggling with achieving basic pony functions.
I really didn't want to do this, but... I had no choice... I needed to continue on...
"I need your help, Para."
"Hm?" He cocked his head at me, smiling patiently. One of Sapphire Shores' greatest hit singles started playing on his radio.
I regarded the rangers before us. "I need you to take their power cores. It's in their back. Look at mine, if you need to."
Their muffled cries were amplified as they couldn't believe what I was saying. I couldn't believe what I was saying! These were ponies I had grown up with! And now I was sparing them, only to have them suffer, and taking their equipment.
I was a monster.
They were done for anyways... There was nothing I could do for them, without agitating the trees and killing us all...
It was their life or mine... And I chose mine.
Para looked at them, and then at me, before going to my back and examining the filled slot. "So I just pull them out?"
"Yeah. It's pretty straight-forward."
"Consider it done!" He spoke in that cheerful tone. I didn't know how he could... I felt horrible just asking him to do this for me...
He went behind them with no hesitation whatsoever, ejected both their cores, and handed them to me, still smiling.
The roots didn't care one bit... That astonished me greatly.
I handed one back, and he raised an eyebrow, looking down at it.
"Mine is nearly depleted." I stated. "Can you put a new one in?"
He smiled, then nodded, looking back at my visor. "Of course." He went back to my side, ejected the core, put it in another one of his vest pockets, and slid the new one home. My gauge went up to 97 percent. I guess they didn't get very far with those cores...
I hated to think it, but...
Lucky for me.
I mentally slapped a hoof upside the back of my head for just hearing those words in my inner voice.
"Hold on to the other two, will you?" I asked, stretching my hoof out. He took the core and put it in the same pocket as the other one, which now reached its occupancy.
Para grabbed his hammock after untying it, folding it up, and putting it neatly in an interior pocket of his vest.
He nodded at me with that careless, almost ignorant smile of his, and we walked off into the forest, blasting Sapphire Shores on the radio.
He had a slight dance to his movement, oddly enough. Even walking, he seemed to have a little dance behind it.
As weird as it was, he was my best chance of survival...
For now.
Sweet Celestia, the surface was bizarre...
> Channel 000.2; Party of Four
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Got lots of stuff going down in Post Apocalyptia these days. Here's some of the latest news...


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I didn't know much of the town, or the forested city it resided in, but I imagined that the small, remote settlement had been peaceful, before I came around and took part in shooting up the place.
With little to no knowledge about the inhabitants of Saddle, I had killed them. Gunned them down for an order. Murdered them for a generator we had no intention of using.
There were other ways we could have gone about this, without bloodshed. We could have made a trade. A generator for a megaspell generator. We could have offered anything they needed for that stupid machine... I get that we needed to stop it from being used any further, but we just went about it the wrong way...
Was it really worth killing over...?
I expected that soon, I'd pay the price of their blood with my own, and I'd deserve it.
There was nothing I could do to fix what I had done. No matter what I did to try and make things better, I'd still be that ex Steel Ranger that murdered helpless ponies.
I was alone in the wasteland, now. No allies. No friends. No family. No protection, with the exception of the two laser rifles on my sides, and the armor that relied too much on power cores and most definitely smelled of my urine.
Para's music blasted ahead of me, bringing me back to reality and out of my deep, depressive thoughts.
Okay, yes... I was traveling with somepony. So technically, I wasn't physically alone.
But mentally and emotionally?
I was alone.
Besides, this pony... Para. He was batshit insane and 120 percent delusional. There was no denying that.
"So..." I started, sticking close behind him, seeing as the trees didn't care for his presence. I had to admit, I felt better being next to him. I felt... safer. "How long have you been out here?"
"Since this morning." He said in that happy tone he usually had in his voice, before humming to the song that played on his radio. I didn't hear any lyrics thus far.
"No, I mean... overall, how long have you lived out here?" I gestured to the wasteland before us.
"Hm..." He kept walking in silence for a while, before finally answering. "Far as I can remember, three years."
"And you've been walking out here this whole time, with no means of defense?"
"Yep!"
"All be yourself?"
"Yep!"
I just couldn't believe anything he was saying... Nopony could survive 3 years out here without something to protect themselves with. Nopony.
"Were you heading anywhere specific?"
"Not really." He shook his head.
We stumbled upon the path that led to Saddle and came to a brief stop. Looking north, I saw a tower that leaned against another; the same one we flew under the other day.
"There's something I need to get at Saddle." Para said. "It's super important."
I nodded. "Alright. I was thinking on heading that way, anyways."
Para looked over and smiled faintly, before turning back north and walking. I stayed by his side.
"So what's this important thing you have to get?"
"A bag of rare treasures, the likes of which will probably never be seen again. The only place I know that has it is Saddle."
I regarded him for a few seconds.
Treasure, huh? As intrigued as I was, I knew that greed came with the territory of treasure, and I now knew what greed could make ponies do.
The looks on the ponies faces as they were gunned down haunted my memories. Their bodies falling and spilling blood on the asphalt played on an endless loop...
"Did you... by any chance... hear any gunfire yesterday?"
"Nope." He shook his head. "Heard fireworks, though. I think there was some sort of celebration or something. It's a shame I missed it." His smile faltered a little.
Fireworks... right.
"Be glad you missed it..." I muttered under my breath.
"How long have you lived here?"
"Since yesterday." I spoke up, looking at the machine on his back. "So, what's the critter's name?"
Wait... Did I just say 'critter?' Oh no... I was being brainwashed into thinking that it was a living creature!
"Hm?" He looked at me, then glanced back at the 'rabbit.' "Oh, my little buddy? She hasn't told me, yet."
Her... Yeah, okay... No... I can't...
"I'm telling you, that's not a living creature."
He looked to his pet, then back at me with a frown. "She looks fine to me."
Fine? What...? "She's never been alive!" I was starting to shout.
"Never been a five? She's not a number, she's a bunny!" He beamed at me. "You really are one weird pony, you know that?" He patted my armored head with a hoof. "Were you referring to her age? Cause even then, I don't think she's five just yet."
I... wha... UGH! Nevermind...
His ignorance and stupidity only made me more upset when I tried explaining the reality of... well, anything and everything.
He just couldn't comprehend it, I guess. He seemed to see the world through rose colored glasses.
Must have been nice.
As we walked, I looked around in each direction of the path we walked on. I had no idea how they kept the trees from swarming it for as long as it was there, but they did a great job.
Magic, maybe?
Freaky magic...
Maybe I could ask Para... no. No, he wouldn't know... He didn't seem to know much of anything.
Then again, it didn't hurt to just ask...
"Hey, would you by any chance know why the trees haven't taken over the path?"
He smirked as he turned to me. "Well, it hasn't been that long for nature to take over again."
Yep... I knew it. I wasn't going to get an answer from him. I don't know why I had any hope for one.
If I remembered correctly about my time in the Vertibuck, and if I was right about our distance from the towers that I used as a landmark, we would arrive in Saddle in about an hour or two. Maybe three.
... A Vertibuck sounded great right now.
I hated the idea of going back to Saddle, but it was the closest and relatively safest place I knew of, at the moment. There was food, shelter, and the trees didn't invade the town for some odd reason.
That was good enough for me.
Out in the wasteland, Saddle was all I knew.
About forty minutes, give or take, passed, as we traversed through the eerie woods with the screeches, howls, and hissing of what was mistaken as 'nature.'
There was nothing natural about this place. Not in the slightest.
Trees weren't supposed to move, attack, or even talk, for that matter. I had no idea what else lurked in the deepest parts of this hell, but I was comfortable with the idea of never finding out.
We were just starting to pass under the colossal, leaning structure and through its shadow. Nothing grew under its shade, save for the hints of weeds and grass in the cracks of the street, and moss hanging from the sides of the two buildings.
You know... real nature.
Even being all the way down on the surface, I could still hear the protests of the metal threatening to give out and plummet down atop us. I didn't value the idea of having a tower that reached up to the heavens drop down on me.
"Hello wastelanders!" The voice of a stallion that did a fairly good impression of a radio show host boomed over the radio. He definitely had the voice to be one. His voice carried through the streets, after the song that was playing, came to an end. I didn't recognize the song. "Uh oh... It seems to me we're in a bit of a pickle..." The signal started to give out hints of static. "Ah pony feathers! Our signal is getting cut! We're having some technical difficulties folks, but if all goes right, we'll be back momen-" Chhk! "We need-" Fzzt! "Run!" Despite whatever was happening at the station he used to broadcast, he kept his radio host attitude up pretty well. It sounded stupid at the moment, seeing as he was in the face of danger.  "We're und-" Bzzt! "-tack!"
The signal died.
We both stopped and looked at the radio as Para tried changing the station to something else. I imagined that out in the wasteland, there weren't many other stations to listen to. Maybe one or two, but that was it.
I had a strong feeling that everything else consisted of radio static.
The light within the cracked casing died, and I watched as his smile turned into a frown, clearly annoyed with the flaw of technology.
Batteries.
"What was that all about?" I asked, pointing a hoof at his radio. He looked at me, returning a faint smile.
"Well, we have these ponies called DJs, and-"
"No, stop." I sighed and waved a dismissive hoof at him. "I know about DJs. What I mean is, why was he so... I don't know... chill about being under attack?"
"Why would he be under a tak? That's just silly." He made sure to differentiate 'a' and 'tak' from each other.
Oh my fu... He can't be serious right now! He just can't! Nopony can be that stupid!
"Ponies putting taks in their ceilings..." He shook his head and continued. "I mean, if you prefer posters on your ceiling, more than on your walls, then that's your thing. But I think it's weird. I shouldn't have to look up and strain my neck to see a picture."
Oh sweet Celestia... he was serious.
I didn't care how handsome he was. This was just annoying.
But... at the same time, I had to admit... it was kind of cute. An annoying type of cute. A little funny, in fact.
I found myself laughing under my breath as I shook my head softly. "You're one weird guy, you know that?"
"I'm feared? No, that can't be right... I'm Para!" He beamed at me, like he often times did. I couldn't tell if he was being serious, or just joking around with me.
I sighed and put my hoof on his shoulder, looking directly into the black that was trapped within the golden rings of his eyes, smiling softly. It probably would have meant more to him if my helmet was off right now.
Then a red blip appeared on my EFS, behind him.
Then another...
... And another.
Within a span of just five seconds, there were ten... and that was only facing north.
Looking around, I found just as many in every other direction.
"Not again..." I muttered.
"What's wrong?" Para asked.
I looked back at him quickly. "How fast can you run?"
"What?" He raised an eyebrow, cocking his head to the side a little. "Why? Are we having a marathon?"
Okay, there was a time for jokes, and this was not it! "... Fuck it. Sure. Why the hell not?" I looked around and started to see silhouettes of beasts raising from the ground and standing tall, on two rear legs. Dark wisps of cloud traveled around their form, and glowing eyes of white opened up all around us, watching...
Claws stretched out, ready to dig in.
Para looked at a group to the north and waved a hoof at them. "Hello!" He smiled.
I turned around in a counterclockwise, 360 degree rotation, checking our complete surroundings.
Thankfully, they made the mistake of being spread two thin to the west. However, if we went that route, the only way of escape was to go through the tower that... well... towered over us.
I opened fire on the beasts to our left, and found that lasers cut right through them like smoke, before reforming to their original form.
Okay, so entities made of smoke... Lasers did fuck all against them... How was that even remotely fair? How do you kill smoke!?
"Para..." I spoke softly, backing up to him, as I kept my eyes locked on to the monsters that grew closer each second. They were slow, for now. But they were also big. And their arms were pretty long... They stumbled, I noticed... As if they were drunk, or hurt. "I need you to listen to me..."
"I need to listen to the bees? What for?"
"Para, I'm being serious! Listen to what I'm about to tell you! How fast can you run?" I spoke as clearly as I could, hoping he wasn't going to get my words mistaken for something else.
"I'm kinda slow with all this weight on my back." He looked at his cargo.
"Then get on my back, and hang on tight."
"Ooo! A piggyback ride! Yay!" I glanced back to see him climbing aboard and wrapping his hooves around my neck.
"Hang on tight..." I reiterated, dragging my left forehoof across the ground twice, kicking up some dirt in the process. I charged west, blasting one of the smoke creatures with excessive laser fire. Each individual shot made more of the smoke  dissipate from the rest of its form. My last shot in the microfusion cell struck it in the arm, before I rammed through the rest of its body.
Para started coughing violently, and I myself, felt a sudden disappearance of air to my lungs.
The air tasted sour, and I felt something growing inside me. Something that was not meant to be.
But I didn't have time to stop. I didn't have time to catch my breath.
Oh, but I wanted to so bad... My lungs were burning already, and the air was growing thick.
Whatever these things were made of, they had easily bypassed my air filtration unit. I didn't know if there was a resistance to it, but Para was going through the same thing I was, if not worse. We both needed to find safety, and fast.
I charged in through what was once a glass door and looked around frantically, losing breath the more time passed by.
On the far side of the marble floored lobby, at the exit opposite of us, I saw the roots coming in, ready to violate the source of the noise that had intruded into their territory. I still didn't know for sure what they did to ponies, but I caught a glimpse of something, and I knew that they loved making them suffer.
Between us and the roots, were four sets of elevators; each door closed.
The power was off, seeing as there was no lighting in the building, at all. We only had the sun's altered light and my helmet's headlamp to help guide the way.
Of course the power was off. Why had I expected anything here to actually work? Especially in a building that was leaning towards one side?
Besides that, just like the last elevator I came across, I lacked some key items. Three, this time. Though, to be fair, I probably needed the third item, the other time, back in the apartments.
My trusty toolbox to repair any damage and ensure the safety while in use.
Time to be able to fix it, without something trying to kill us.
And a generator to power it up.
I had none of the above.
Which meant...
Sigh...
We had to take the stairs...
I looked to my left, but found nothing with the exception of wall, on the far side of the room.
I swung my head right and found a metal door with a small, square window on its upper half. On the other side, even though it was fairly dark, I saw exactly what I was looking for; the faint vision of stairs.
I ran for the door, coughing and hacking up... Wait, did I taste iron...?
"Para!" I rasped, fighting to keep myself from collapsing as both the roots and the shadow beings came in after us. "You..." I was thrown into a violent fit of coughing, which staggered my movement for a brief moment.  "You okay!?" I moved with haste.
"My lungs hurt..." He spoke in a soft, raspy whisper in the ear of my helmet, along with a continuous wheezing; the audio sensors picking up everything. "This is why I gave up smoking..."
"Hang on!" I shouted, trying to stay awake and not lose consciousness. "Don't let go!"
I reached the door and rammed my shoulder against it, but it didn't budge.
"Damn it, come on!" I quickly wrapped my hoof around the handle and swung it open, ran inside, and bucked it shut behind me, nearly knocking Para off in the process.
My helmet beeped, and the gauge blinked red at me.
I was running off five percent power... Damn it, no!
"Para, I need a new core!"
"I... I got you... covered..." He gasped for breath, before sending another violent coughing fit in my ear.
Come on, Para... Hang in there... Fight it...
The five percent dropped to zero, and I couldn't move. I wasn't going to bother trying, either. The constant beeping of my helmet started, and I already felt a headache coming.
The roots hissed outside the door, and a growl joined them. I assumed it was from the smoke creatures, but I couldn't check for sure. I couldn't turn around, and I didn't want to anyways. I was fine with just looking at stairs.
A new core was slipped into my back, and the power went up to 98 percent. This one was one number higher than the former. I could use all the power I could get. Especially seeing as we needed to...
RUN!
Para hung onto my neck again as the monsters started pounding at the door. I heard the window to the door start to crack.
"Yessssssssss!"
"Fuck you too!" I shouted in a dry tone as I bolted up the flight of stairs. Oh, my lungs... Celestia have mercy on my...  physical health...
The corners of my vision were growing darker, and I felt myself growing weaker. Wisps of smoke grew closer, reaching out to the center of my sight.
What was happening to me...?
Everything was growing darker. I turned the headlamp on, which bought me a few more seconds of sight, but it wasn't enough...
I managed to make it to the third floor, but after that, I was blind, and my thoughts were drifting away to another place far from my own mind.
I fell to the floor with a heavy, metallic thud.
I drifted away...
Sweet Celestia, the surface was bizarre...


(((((((◉)))))))


I found myself lying in my comfy bed, back in the bunker. The radio at the side of my bed played static. Of course it did. It always played static...
Damn it, Fire...
I hit the snooze before I developed a headache from the obnoxious sound and sat up to stretch. My charcoal black, bedhead of a mane covered my eyes. As I brushed it to the side, I saw my door open.
Nopony was on the other side.
Hm... Odd.
It must have been one of Fire's early morning pranks. A bucket of cold water, perhaps? Wouldn't be the first time...
I didn't hear any hoofsteps or voices. No machinery. Nothing.
All was silent in the bunker.
As cliche as it was... it was too quiet.
Was everypony taking the day off all at once? That didn't seem right.
I hopped off my bed and got into my engineer outfit, before giving a long stare at the power armor that stood tall before me, beside my locker.
I was more of a constructor than a destructor. I fixed things. That was what the hammer and wrench on my flank told me.
Point was, that it was a bit odd to be in the ranks of a ranger now. By my understanding, they shot things. Killed, conquered, and destroyed. I was the opposite.
They defended their home against raiders and other dangerous beings. Us engineers did so in a different way. We walked around the station, fixing anything that seemed out of place. From an armor's maneframe, to gas leaks in pipes, around the bunker. I learned, over the years, that there was always something to fix. Something was always falling apart somewhere. It was just a matter of finding out where the damage was, and how to fix it, before it got too bad.
It was not to say that I didn't love the promotion. As I previously mentioned before, I always had a vision to get to where I was now. A dream that I could one day patrol the wasteland and defend my home against the hostilities that threatened to take over our precious home. But it was... odd... being a ranger, now.
I suppose it was just something I had to get used to.
In the meantime, since I wasn't called to surface duty or security detail, I figured I'd patrol the station and look for anything that needed fixing.
I bit down on the red, rectangular, metal toolbox by the handle, pulling it out of my locker and tossing it on my back, balancing it perfectly.
I then peeked my head out into the corridor, only to find it empty. Nopony was patrolling, and nopony was heading to their shift. All the doors, save for my own, were closed. Even Fire's, which was right across from mine.
Hm... This didn't seem right...
I looked up, but I didn't see any traps set to pour freezing hydration on me, or anything of that sort, for that matter.
I stepped out, shrugging it off, and turned left down the corridor. Maybe somepony was in the mess hall? It had to have been around the time for breakfast, so I was sure I'd see somepony. Even so, I would expect there to still be security stationed around the bunker. We didn't all take breaks at once. That would be stupid, to say in the very least.
I pressed my hoof against the panel to the door, and before I could see what was on the other side, my vision had been covered by a pillar of black smoke that lunged at me!
With little to no warning, I still tried to jump back. To my misfortune, I was too slow.
I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't see. I couldn't speak.
But I could feel... and what I felt was a tugging at something inside me. Something trying to take some vital part of me... I wanted to scream, but I had no voice. I wanted to run, but I had no control.
I was fading...
For a split second, I heard a crackle in the speaker above me, right outside the mess hall. I felt the thing that tried taking me away lurch and squirm, before letting go.
At that moment, all sensation slipped from my grasp.


(((((((◉)))))))


"Wakey wakey wastelanders! Today's another day!" That same radio host I heard earlier pulled me out of a slumber, and my eyes cracked open to see I was laying on my side, in the corner of what I imagined was an office, at one point. The desk was overturned and laying next to my head, and paperwork from long ago, covered in dirt and grime, littered the ground I rested on.
One of the first things I noticed, was that my helmet was off, and my skin felt as if it were breathing. I looked up at the exit, realizing that the room was tilted towards one side, and my armor was looking down at me, hanging by a black cable from the tail; all four hooves standing on the ground.
"We got some work to do, folks! It's all about survival! And if, by some chance, you just came out from underground, like say, a stable, and this is your very first time out in the wastes, then listen to these helpful tips. Don't try meddling with things you have no chance of winning against. Stay off the mane roads. Raiders like to set up ambushes there. Keep your eyes peeled, and your guard up always. Even when you think it's safe. Some may be friendly, but think of you as hostile, and some may be hostile, and think of you as easy pickin'. Don't be. Run if you have to... Oh, and stay out of Saddle Forest, 'kay kiddos? That place is a big no-no. If you find you're already in there, by some off chance... get out."
I felt a thick, sticky substance come out from my lips in a drool, which I smacked a few times before getting up. My muscles were still really sore, and whatever that black smoke stuff was, it didn't do too well on my lungs. I breathed in rasps.
I looked down as I lifted my upper body, and... oh... what the bloody hell is that?
I spat on the floor, and a black ooze parted from my lips. It didn't have any taste... but seeing it come out of me had freaked me out to where I imagined something sour and bitter.
I took a step back, watching it closely as I wiped my hoof on my tongue, trying to get it all off.
My stomach clenched suddenly, and I felt something big coming up...
Oh... oh no... Here it comes!
A stream of the black, tar-like goo was released from my stomach, forming a puddle before me. I already had a sore throat, and maybe even sore lungs... but puking while having sore respiratory systems burnt like hell times ten!
When I had gotten it all out of my system, I panted and looked down at the unknown liquid. What the hell was this stuff...?
And then it twitched.
I jumped back, hitting my flank against the wall and screaming. Not just from the sudden, burning sensation I felt from those shots earlier, but from the horror of what was happening in front of me.
The puddle grew a variety of appendages, which allowed it to quickly scurry away and have a smaller, more high pitched scream than mine as it ran for the exit.
"And now, for music." The radio host said, before a beat started to play.

Somewhere over Cloudsdale
Way up high
And the spells that you worked on
Endlessly 'till dawn
Sometimes, I wish upon a star

I heard Para yawn, and soon after, saw him poke his head out on the other end of the desk, smiling faintly at me.
I was breathing heavily, freaked out of my mind. That was beyond anything I ever saw before... What was that doing inside me?
"Bad dream?" He asked calmly.
I focused on him and sighed, sitting on my haunches; my back leaned against the wall. "I wish it was..." I replied, looking back at the black stain on the floor that was left behind. It was hidden from him by the desk between us.

Somewhere over Cloudsdale
Griffins fly
And the spells that you worked on
Spells really do work well
Someday, I wish upon a star
Fly up where the worries are far behind me
Where troubles flow like apple cider
High above the cottage top
That's where you'll find me

"Oh, I like this song." His smile widened as he closed his eyes, taking it in.
I glanced at my armor, before returning to him. "You saved me... Didn't you?"
He nodded, keeping his eyes closed. "You passed out."
"And... just how did you manage to haul me all the way to... wherever it is we are?" I looked around. We must have been in the tower, somewhere. Just didn't know where, exactly.
"Well, I'll admit... you were pretty heavy, and even dragging you was difficult. Especially since I was having a super bad cough. That dry day air really got to me, I guess..." He shook his head, and got back to the topic. "Well, there I was, trying to drag you up the stairs, and suddenly, your robo suit just opened up on me! I pulled you out and brought you somewhere you could rest. I went back for your suit." He wrinkled his nose, as if he smelled something foul. "It smelled like pee pee, by the way... and it was kinda sticky in one of the hooves. Sticky and icky."
I felt myself turn bright red. "I... I don't know anything about that. Must be your imagination..." I looked away and found myself facing the window to my left. I didn't even know it was there until just now.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand that was enough sightseeing for me for a while. It was bad enough we were in a room tilted towards the window, and for that matter, had a very good chance of falling out, but seeing how high up we were...
I was about to piss myself... again.
Well, it was now confirmed we were in the tower. From what little I saw, I had to guess maybe the... 8th floor? I hated to imagine what it was like looking down from the top...
The song on his radio ended, and another one of Octavia's pieces started.
I quickly looked back at him, and when I spoke, my voice squeaked from the nervous feeling that grew in my now shaking body. "Did you sleep well, Para?"
He nodded happily, not really caring how high up we were. "I did. And you?"
"I've had better..." I murmured, looking at my armor. I noticed the cable was leading out through the door. "Thank you for saving me, Para. I mean it. I'm grateful."
"Thanks for being interesting company." He beamed at me.
I was interesting company? Yeah, I don't think so...
He leaned his back against the slanted wall, beside another window of his very own, smiling as he crossed his forehooves across his chest, as if he were playing it cool.
And he did. I didn't see one bead of sweat form on that sexy body of h... Damn it Charger... STOP!
The point is, he didn't seem worried in the slightest.
Either he had a death wish, or he didn't feel fear.
"So where did you come from?" He asked, smirking as he looked over.
"Underground." I replied, then added to my response. "In a bunker south of here."
I watched as he pulled out another black and red candy cane, then proceeded to stick it in his mouth, acting as if it were a cigarette.
"What's the last thing you remember?" I asked.
He looked up in thought. "Hm..." He paused for a few seconds; his brows knitted as he thought long and hard. "Waking up."
"Waking up?" I raised an eyebrow. "Like, just a few minutes ago?"
"No..." He shook his head and looked back at me. "I mean waking up for the very first time."
Wait... What?
"Uh... I'm afraid I don't understand..." I cocked my head to the side, looking on in confusion.
He smiled faintly, then looked away. "I'm not sure I do, either. The whole thing is a bit foggy. Bits and pieces, here and there."
"No full picture?"
He nodded as he looked out the window, but for some reason, he was still smiling.
"Don't you... you know... want to see the full picture?"
He turned back to me, his smile widening a bit. "Nope." He said in a cheerful tone as he shook his head; those golden rings meeting my green ones. "I don't care to know. I'm happy. I don't need a 10-19 on whatever happened."
"Like..." I paused, fearing I was going into personal territory. "With what happened to your wings?" Good thing I knew radio talk.
His smile faltered a little.
I knew it...
"It's just... I noticed they were... missing. You were a pegasus once... weren't you? You lived among the Enclave? But something must have happened, and... and you moved down here, right? Banished?"
He simply shrugged, but I could tell I was getting into something he didn't like thinking about. There was a hint of a sulk on his features as he sucked on the candy cane hanging from his lips.
"I don't know. Whatever happened, happened. I'm fine with how my life turned out. More than fine, in fact." His smile started to slowly return, but I felt there was more to this. I was starting to think that he was just faking his carelessness. But... he didn't seem to want to talk about it. It was best to just leave well enough alone. I suppose I couldn't blame him, really. He didn't want to talk about home. Neither did I. I understood enough to just leave it be.
Para had to have lived with the Grand Pegasus Enclave at one point, though. All pegasi seemed to. I never heard of a pegasus living outside of the "safety" of their clouds.
Usually, this would have automatically branded Para as an enemy to the Steel Rangers, and maybe even the entire surface, judging from what I heard go down, months ago, in the east.
There was something about a civil war between the Enclave, or something like that... Neighvarro and Thunderhead at each other's throats. I found that, like most things, I didn't know the full story.
I think I heard a cyberpony unicorn was involved with it, though...
I dunno... Stories are just stories. Ponies are always adding to them to try and make them more 'interesting.' And... seeing as this story traveled all along the wasteland, from east to west... there was probably a lot of unnecessary drama added to it.
Unfortunately, there had been more Enclave units sighted around Las Pegasus lately, including an entire Enclave base.
They had put the Steel Rangers all along the west coast under high alert, and we have all been watching them, since that time.
"Want a cane?" He asked, regarding me with a grin, to which I shook my head.
"No thank you."
He smiled brighter for a split second and shrugged, then resumed sucking the flavor out of his, as he reached into one of his many pockets, pulling out a deck of cards. "You play?"
He wanted to play a card game... now? Of all times?
... Actually, that didn't sound half bad. A break would be nice.
"Depends." I smiled faintly. "What game are we talking about?"
"Goldfish!" He beamed at me.
"Goldfish..." I nodded. "Alright, let's do it." Looking around the room we sat in, I continued with a frown. "Though, it'd be a lot nicer if we could play on flat ground."
He simply shrugged it off - which seemed to be a thing for him - as he smiled and shuffled the cards like a... pro... Okay, how was he doing that!?
Was this guy secretly a unicorn or something?
The beautiful, soothing notes of Octavia's cello ended, and soon enough, a vocalized song came on.
This next one had a moderately paced guitar strum that was soon accompanied with a rhythmic, steady pace of a hoof stomping, and another guitar in the background; this one with more of an echo behind it.

When I die, and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay down to die

Going off to the spirit in the sky
Going off to the spirit in the sky

A mare sang in the background, just after the last line, saying "spirit in the sky!"
For a song about dying, this was a little... upbeat.

Spirit gonna go, when I die
(When I die!)
When I die, and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best

Para resumed shuffling the cards as the guitar resumed its steady beat with the hoof stomping.
I didn't know what this radio station was. I never picked it up on my radio, but I was starting to fall in love with the DJ behind all this.

Tell yourself, you know it's a must
Gotta have a friend in Luna!

So you know that, when you die
Stars will commend you as a spirit in the sky
(Spirit in the sky!)

They'll commend you as a spirit in the sky

That's where you're gonna go, when you die
(When you die!)

When you die, and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best

"How often do you get to play?" I asked, looking down at the growing hand of cards that he kept tossing to me, after giving himself one, and so forth.
"Last time I did, they said I was cheating. I didn't even know what I was playing!"
I raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Cheating, huh?" Suddenly, I didn't feel too comfortable playing with him.
"Hey, it's not my fault I'm that good." He smiled faintly.
"I imagine ponies don't take too kindly to cheating. I know I don't..."
"Some security mare way back in Hoofington didn't, either. Threw me out in the streets." He shook his head after dealing the right amount of cards to both parties. "She was not a very nice pony..."
"Wait, whoa, whoa, whoa... You were in Hoofington!?" I balked.
"Yep!" He nodded as he beamed at me.
"When?" I asked in desperation. The attack between the Enclave happened over Hoofington, and even though I wasn't a Steel Ranger anymore, the story still intrigued me. I just wanted to know for the sake of my own curiosity.
"Long ago." He picked up his hand, looking through his selection. "I don't remember a whole lot of that place. Might have been a few months or so..."
Well, I guess I wasn't getting any info on the attack, since he didn't remember a whole lot... Typical.

Never been a sinner
I never sin
I got a friend in Luna!

So you know that, when I die
She's gonna send me up as a spirit in the sky

Oh, send me up as a spirit in the sky!
That's where I'm gonna go, when I die
(When I die!)

When I die, and you lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best

Go to the place that's the best!

The song let out one final guitar solo for the remainder of its length as we played Go Fish. Not for profit, thankfully. Just for fun.
Good thing, too. I didn't have any caps on me, and he had just won the first round.
"That was 'Mare in the Moon,' by Normane Greenhoof." The nameless DJ said over the radio broadcast. "I'll say, that's a pretty good song for the wasteland." He chuckled. "Certainly a song I'd want to die listening to." Things got quiet for a few seconds, and he coughed. When he spoke up again, he sounded more somber. "Well, it appears it's that time again, folks. Lock your doors. Cover your windows, and pray for the dawn of a new day. Darkness is coming to swallow the wasteland once more, and with it, the real dangers of Saddle will awaken. So if you're in that area, hunker down. Stay inside. Barricade the doors and windows. Wait until morning. Do not step in the dark. Keep a light on at all costs, but don't make it too noticeable. Keep it close. Hell walks the surface tonight..." He paused, and I looked over at the radio kept on his person. "Goodnight, wastelanders. Here's to the hope of a brand new tomorrow."
A soft, classical tune filled the room as we played.
Para kept winning, somehow... I just kept getting really bad hands. This sucked...
When it got darker out, and the room grew dim, I activated the headlamp on my armor, which continued to look down at both of us; still bound by the cable around the tail's frame. If it broke, we'd both be crushed, since we met in the middle of the desk that had fallen on its side.
We'd be killed instantly, if we were lucky.
I was a glass half full type... usually.
The light shined down on us like a spotlight, but it also meant that anything from the outside would see a certain lit up window in a dead city and get curious.
Chances were, the core in my armor would have a gradual decrease in the power level overnight, what with the light being on until morning came. But judging from what the DJ said, that was a sacrifice I was willing to make.
By my understanding, the trees couldn't see. Only touch and listen. So we didn't need to worry about the-
And I lost another round. Great.
This was getting ridiculous.
I looked up at Para to see him smiling that same damn smile he almost always had on his stupid, cute face... Smug bastard.
There had to be a trick up his sleeve... That, or he didn't shuffle the deck good enough.
"Shuffle the deck again." I said softly, frowning as I threw the cards at him. Despite my annoyance, I knew to keep my voice low. The DJ had me really spooked on what was out there now.
He nodded, put both our hands in the deck, and started doing his magic shuffling tricks. I had no idea how he did that so well... It seemed so... impossible for anypony except unicorns.
I watched closely... waiting. If I saw anything out of the ordinary, I'd call him out on cheating.
But... I didn't see anything suspicious. Okay... either he had great sleight-of-hoof, or he wasn't actually cheating...
... Or I just had horrible perception...
After three games of me constantly losing and not winning a single round, I grudgingly called it a night, and laid in my corner of the tilted room, where I woke up earlier. He went back to his corner after putting the cards away, and after about a minute of getting comfortable, had fallen into a slumber, still smiling as he did.
Lucky... He was probably dreaming about puppies and kittens, or frolicking through fields of healthy, un-irradiated flowers with butterflies... all while listening to his radio, most likely.
I noticed he never turned it off. Ever.
I eye'd it for a while as it kept the symphony going. It wasn't too loud, and even then, it was turned down to much more tolerable sleeping levels. If anything, it was relaxing. It made me remember that even in the darkest of places, there was still beauty.
But... did he really keep it on 24/7?
What was up with that?
No wonder it shut down earlier.
I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to take me.
But it didn't come. I was still too worried if this was it for me. If I was ever going to wake up again. Perhaps something would sneak in and eat me... or kill me just for the fuck of it.
The wasteland was unpredictable.
... And I was just another toy that joined its sandbox.


(((((((◉)))))))


I opened my eyes, and I found myself in the tower, untouched. That was a huge relief on my part. That relief started draining from me, when I was reminded of how unstable the tower's structure was, via its continuous groans, telling us to get out of here before it became the death of us.
I didn't have any dreams the night prior to this morning. At least, none that I could remember. Judging by my last one, maybe that was a good thing. I was in no mood for jumpscares.
Para was still fast asleep, and he seemed to be doing it well. I don't know how... Maybe it was just a wastelander thing. But I heard his snores pretty clearly.
I carefully stood up, walked around the desk, and nudged his shoulder.
"Mmm..." He groaned under his breath. "Five more minutes..."
"Para, we should go..." I spoke softly, looking around. "I don't feel safe here any longer..."
His eyes cracked open, and he sighed, smiling faintly. "Alright, alright..." They widened as he stood up, but closed soon after, as he stretched. He raised one hoof in the air. "10-18 to Saddle!" He said in a happy tone. "Wrap up your goods, get in your porta-potty suit, and..." He paused and cocked his head to the side, smiling. "Do you need a cup of hundred mile coffee before we go?"
I blushed at what he just called my suit and looked away. "No, no..." I muttered. "And actually... I don't think we should go to Saddle. The road is too dangerous. We should just get out while we can. Who knows what else is ahead..."
He balked at me as his eyes looked into mine. "But... but the treasure! Charger, you can't expect me to be a suicide jockey by myself, in this. Other ponies are out there, looking for it!" He spoke in a desperate cry. "I'm not leaving it behind, and I need you as my lookout!"
"Look, Para... It's just too dangerous." I looked down and sighed. "You just said yourself that it's dangerous carrying around. I don't want to be a target. Plus, the DJ on the channel you keep playing through your radio says we should stay away. And with my first-hoof experience of this place, I have to agree with him."
"But... the treasure..." He sulked as he sat on his haunches, and despair grew in his eyes.
"Why didn't you grab it when you were in Saddle?" I cocked my head to the side, raising a brow as I looked back at him.
"Well, I didn't have the green stamps, and stealing is a big no no."
"So... What, it's in a store?"
"Yes..." He nodded, looking at me. "And if I don't get it, then somepony else will. I can't let it fall into the wrong hooves!"
I let out another sigh and shook my head gently. "Well... thank you for saving me earlier, Para... But I can't go with you. You're free to go, yourself. I cannot and will not stop you." I walked up to him and gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder. At least... I hoped it was comforting.
"Goodbye, Para."
I started to walk up the steep incline that was the floor, towards my power armor. The only real problem was that I kept sliding back down. My hooves couldn't gain any purchase for me to make any progress on leaving. I was stuck in here.
"Charger..." Para said in a soft voice. "Don't 10-7 on me... Please?"
Even though I understood the radio talk, I didn't know why he kept using it. It was getting mildly irritating, actually.
I didn't bother looking at him as I kept trying to get up and out of the tilted room. Pulling my armor out might be a hassle, but so long as I have the right tools, I might be able to make a pulley system to do it for me.
I just... needed... to... GET OUT!
Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh!
"Sorry, Para." I said in an annoyed tone, looking up at the door. "I'm looking to survive. What you're asking of me is a very good way to do quite the opposite."
"... The roads are awfully lonesome..."
I gave up and looked at him. He had hung his head down, and his mane covered his facial features. I imagined he would be crying or something, but I didn't hear any sobs.
Still, it made me feel bad...
"Hey... Hey now..." I walked up to him and gave him another pat on the shoulder. Man... I probably sucked at this... "Don't feel like that. You have your... bunny... thing." I glanced at it, only to see it was looking up at me, staring into my soul with its red, glowing, mechanical eyes.
Okaaaaaaaaaaaaaay... Time to move on out of creepy town and into sympathy valley.
Looking back at Para, I resumed. "You're not alone. You have your little buddy with you. Your... little bunny buddy." I gave a forceful smile, but it quickly vanished into a frown when I found my humor didn't work on him. It didn't work on anyone but me, it seemed. Not even Fire thought my jokes were funny.
"Not many ponies are willing to ride the roads with me. I'd hoped I'd find a pony like you to enjoy the slow life with me for a while. It ain't gotta be too long..."
I had a strong feeling that I wouldn't be coming across many ponies either... Especially nice ones. I was alone the moment I told the Steel Rangers to go fuck themselves, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, if I was given the chance. But ever since I started traveling with Para, I was feeling a little better. I didn't know if I could call him a friend just yet. But he wasn't an enemy, and that was pretty good in my books.
Besides... Safety in numbers, and all that...
I sighed and smiled with more sincerity. "Alright, Para..." He looked up a little to catch my smile. "I'll stick around. For now."
"No... No foolin'?" He raised his head a bit more, revealing a sad blush on him, like a colt, after crying.
Yikes... I kinda felt like an asshole now.
I nodded. "Let's go."
"Thank you!" He smiled brightly and quickly wrapped his hooves around me, taking me in one, big, bear hug of an embrace. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Oof... He was strong... Too strong for my lungs to handle!
I tapped him on the back, wheezing a little as I spoke. "Para! Can't breathe!"
He loosened his grip a little, and I chuckled softly. "Okay, Para. It's no big de-"
"Thank you!" He interrupted, looking deep into my eyes, just a few inches away from mine.
"... It's no big deal." I smiled, putting my hoof to his chest and gently pushing him back just a little bit, for some room. "Really."
"I know, I know, but... Thank you!" He said happily, once more.
He was acting a lot like me, when I was a colt getting new toys from the rangers.
I sighed and shook my head, smiling faintly. "Let's get out of here, then." I turned my head and looked up at the armor that hung from the black cable, by its tail. "I imagine we won't have much luck getting that out of here and taking it with us... Damn shame."
I really didn't want to leave it behind, but I didn't see any other way.
Para looked at me after slipping on his shirt and jacket. "Anything is possible, if you put your mind to it." He beamed at me.
He certainly changed from sad to happy pretty quick. Too quick, really... Was he just manipulating me?
He slipped on the rest of his belongings and started walking up the... WHAT? HOW!?
My jaw dropped as I watched him walk up the steep incline that I had so much trouble with. He had no problem with it, whatsoever. What the hell!? Not fair!
Lucky son of a...
I gave it one more shot, and... Wow. Okay. Now I'm able to leave? Not before, but now?
I didn't have much trouble, myself. At least... now I didn't. I did, however, tread carefully. I felt my hooves slide a bit, every so often, but not enough to make me fall. Just enough to make me worry.
Para slapped his hoof against the suit's back, and it opened up before us.
In doing so, the tail spread apart, snapping the cable and sending it plummeting towards the window, still standing on all four hooves. It left two thick trails into the carpet, behind it as it sped forward, revealing the flooring beneath and therefore ruining it.
The head crashed through the window frame, and the front end of the body slammed through the wall, hanging out of the tower; it's frame still open.
Its back end kept it from falling out completely, but now there was no way I was getting into that thing while it was hanging there.
I scowled at Para, and he gave me a sheepish grin in response. "I uh... I meant to do that."
Mentally, I slapped my hoof against my face and groaned out of frustration.
I went back down to the armor and kept my hoof over the mechanism that sealed it. This was a really bad idea... But... Damn it, I really wanted this armor! It was at least worth a shot!
I pressed down, and the suit closed up. As it did, it slipped out through the hole it had made, and fell to the surface. I watched as it plummeted to what might have just been the end of its value.
"Well, that was fun." Para said. "Now what?"
I almost believed that was sarcasm. But he sounded sincere.
I looked back, and that's when I started to feel the flooring beneath me give out.
I screamed and jumped back as it crumbled under my hooves, then darted towards the wall beside it, panting heavily. My back was leaned up against the wall; my hoof over my heart as my chest went up and down.
"I... hate... heights!" I spoke between each deep breath.
"I have no problem with it." Para smiled.
"You're a pegasus!" I stated, pointing a hoof at him and glaring. "Of course you don't have a problem with it!"
"Pegasus with no wings." He added with a faint smile. "I can't recall ever having wings. I have no memories of flying. That makes me an earth pony. Just like you."
I straightened myself out, feeling horrible about what I just said. "S-sorry... I didn't mean to..."
He waved a hoof at me and smiled happily. "Don't fret." There was a brief pause, and I took that time to 'not fret.'
"Ready to go?" I asked, after taking another deep breath.
He nodded, and I looked back out of the hole that my armor had made, to see that it had come into contact with the surface. I couldn't tell for sure, but it looked fine so far. I didn't see it in pieces, so that was a plus.
I turned around and walked back up the slope with ease.
During his wait for me to catch up, he fed his bunny two carrots, then took a third one out for himself.
Together, we made our way to the door of the office, and into the corridor.


(((((((◉)))))))


The streets caught in the shade of the tower didn't seem to have any hostile life forms at the moment, but it was hard to tell without my EFS. I didn't like not knowing...
Putting my paranoia aside, I studied the armor that laid before me. I didn't see any physical damage, but it had fallen on its side. That was going to be a problem...
I tried opening the suit, but it had jammed on me again...
Great. I broke it.
I was willing to at least try to fix it, though.
First things first... Get it up on its hooves again.
"Para, can you give me a hoof?" I asked, going to one end.
He stretched out his hoof toward me, smiling. "Here ya go."
I looked on for a brief second, before planting my hoof into my face, releasing an exasperated sigh. "Okay, now can you help me lift my armor?"
"You mean the robo suit? Sure thing!" He smiled brightly and went to the other end opposite me.
"Okay, on the count of three, we lift. Got it?"
"Mhm!" He nodded and grabbed a hold of the armor as best he could. I did the same on my end.
"One... Two... Three!" We both groaned as we strained our muscles, fighting to lift the overweight mass of steel back onto its hooves.
We just barely got its upper half off the ground before we gave up. It was too much for just two ponies. But I was desperate... I didn't want to be stuck in the armor again, and it was amazing being outside of it, but it offered a great deal of protection, and I was a newbie to the wasteland.
Panting, I looked back at him. "Okay... Let's try again."
"You got it!" He swung his hoof from left to right, across his chest, as if he was being very supportive. I could start to see sweat forming on his perfect, white coat.
We grabbed a hold of some part of the armor and tried again at the count of three, but it only strained our muscles more so than they already were. I wanted to just drop and rest right there. My arms and legs felt like jelly.
Then, quite suddenly, the armor opened up, making us both drop it out of surprise.
I balked at it, then at Para, who gave me a casual smile.
"What did you do?" I asked quickly, looking back at the armor.
"Well, I was just pushing it, like you asked." His smile quickly diminished, and he looked worried as he stared down at it. "I didn't break something, did I?" He got down to its level. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to!"
"It's fine, Para." I said, rolling my eyes, which quickly locked onto him soon after some realization. "Wait... did you just say you were pushing it?"
He looked up at me. "Well, yeah. That's what you wanted, right?"
"Which way were you pushing it?"
"Down."
"Damn it, Para..." I muttered, shaking my head and putting my hoof to my temple. I felt a headache start to form. "I said lift. Not push... LIFT!"
He flinched. "Don't yell. It's rude."
I groaned, then looked back down at my armor. "Well... I suppose I can just... I dunno... Crawl inside."
I got down to work, and what would usually just take three seconds, ended up taking about half a minute, at the very least.
The back sealed up, and the suit tightened around my figure once more. Save for the chestplate, which was still red, and the left shoulder, which was yellow, everything else was fine and in the green.
The power gauge was at 67 percent. Not too bad.
I stood up, and to my relief, the suit moved just fine.
I checked the compartment for my two snack cakes, only to find that they weren't crushed.
Good. I hated squished food.
I closed the compartment and looked at Para.
"Saddle up." I said in the deep tone behind the helmet.


(((((((◉)))))))


Nothing had attempted jumping out at us for the duration of the trip. Luck seemed to be favoring us... for the time being. Who knew how long that was going to last.
Still, it was more than pleasant for me, and I imagined for Para, too. I didn't have any ammo left, so my guns were all but useful.
The trees minded their own business, and we minded ours.
Occasionally, we'd hear something hissing, but it wasn't like how the trees did it. This sounded more... feral. As if that made any sense...
Among the hissing was a variety of howls and screams. I didn't feel like identifying any new species in the area. Ever. The noises alone did it for me.
I had felt as if we were being watched, and even followed. Whatever it was, if it was indeed anything more than just my paranoia, was staying away. This was just another appreciation added to my list of appreciations.
The trail still remained noticeable. Nothing bothered covering it up, to my surprise. There had to be some explanation for that. There just had to be...
About an hour after leaving the tower, we had stopped for a break at what was once a restaurant. A few trees had made home within the dining section of the building, but it didn't seem to be too much of a problem for us. Did they only attack at certain times? I didn't understand this crazy world... This was not the Equestria I read about in books.
Para sat at a table layered in dust and grime as I went behind the counter to see if there was anything worth taking.
Hm... No bits in the register... No caps. No food. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
Damn it...
I realized, after opening the fridge, that this place was picked clean, and if my suspicions were correct, the supplies went to Saddle, which meant that the now dead inhabitants knew about the tree's sensitivities to sound, and used that to their advantage when going on supply runs into the city.
I could hear the radio playing some Songbird Serenade from where I was. Para wasn't blasting it at full volume like he did when I first met him, thankfully. It was actually at a nice, relaxing level. Not too loud. Not too quiet.
Though, to be fair... there was no such thing as too quiet, here. At least, not until I met Para. There was something off about him... Why did the trees leave him alone...? Why were they leaving me alone now? Not too long ago, they were pretty set on capturing me and doing something nasty... Just like with the other two rangers...
I went back to the table, and once the armor opened up, I slipped out and sat on the opposite side from where he was, stretching my forehooves wide above me as I groaned, shortly after setting my sore rump in the chair.
I peeked at where I was shot, and low and behold, there was a red rash just over my cutiemark. Oh boy...
Damn it, Fire... I wish I could get you back for that...
It was nice to finally be able to get out of that armor every once in a while and stretch. More than nice. It was wonderful! I wasn't going to be stuck inside that suit anymore! I felt free! I was free!
I caught myself smiling, as I looked at Para play with his little bunny buddy. I didn't really know what to call it, as a name. Rabbit? I dunno...
Robit? No chance I was calling it that...
Or... Or how about... Little Buddy?
Yeah. That worked. Little Buddy. It was already starting to grow on me.
I glanced at my armor, then back at him as he fed Little Buddy another carrot and smiled at it.
... Her. Whatever.
"My core is at 12 percent." I stated. "How much longer until we get back to Saddle?"
"Oh, it shouldn't be too much longer." He smiled back at me. "Just wanted to stop by here. It feels comforting, for some reason. I can't seem to put my hoof on it, though..." He rubbed his chin, then looked around the scenery. "It feels like I was here before..." There was a long pause as he just stared off into the distance, before quickly snapping back to reality and pointing his hoof up as if he had a brilliant idea. "Oh right! Duh! I was here earlier!"
I raised an eyebrow. "Were you the one that emptied the register at the counter?"
"No." He shook his head. "It was like that when I came by."
I looked around and took a deep breath of air. It wasn't fresh, but it was still breathable, so there was that. "We should hit the road."
I didn't really want to go back to Saddle. Not after what happened. But I was stuck between a rock and hard place. I didn't want to be in the forest, either. It was either feel guilt and be relatively safer, or feel guilt and be surrounded by trees with a bloodlust that just might have matched the Steel Rangers.
No matter what I chose, I lost.
No matter what I chose, I'd feel guilt for everything that happened.
Para nodded and put the cage back on his back, while I got back in my armor and stood as still as a statue - or the next best thing - until he was ready to leave. I didn't want to waste what limited energy I had left, turning my head or moving a hoof.


(((((((◉)))))))


Here we were.
Saddle.
What I believed was once a lively town, had recently become a graveyard.
The fires had died out, and with it, entire buildings had fallen into heaps of scorched wood and ash.
The bodies still laid in the streets, baking in the sun.
A field of clouds was rolling in from the east, with the threat of rain.
Color had restored itself to its former glory, once we left the forest. Well... It was nice seeing full color again. It was going to take some getting used to, though, with how long I spent back there.
I looked at Para, expecting nothing short of a horrified expression.
What I saw astonished me.
He was smiling, as if nothing was amiss...
"Para..." I muttered, and he looked back at me, after taking his eyes off a dead mare that had a hole torn through her blue-coated chest via laser arsenal.
"Hm?"
"Why are you smiling...?" I glanced back at the streets of decaying corpses. I imagined they smelled horrid by now. I wasn't going to take my helmet off to find out.
The music from his radio cut out abruptly, and for a while, I thought it died again. But that wasn't the case. I still saw the faint, blue glow within the device, escaping even through his pocket. The meter that showed the radio stations had an amber glow.
"Why not?" He shrugged. "We made it to Saddle. Now the treasure's all mine! I have the caps!" He beamed at me, before trotting down the street happily.
I went after him. "But... everypony here is..." I couldn't say it... Just trying to get it out tasted wrong on my tongue. The word was stuck inside my head.
He continued on his way. "A bit strange, I know. They're all a bunch of lazy ponies... sleeping in the middle of the street like that. Fireworks and parties are no excuse to nap on the streets!" He trotted into a store that had the two front doors caved in.
I slowed to a walk, going in after him. My core was at 2 percent. This armor was as good as gone. I had used up all the cores I had on me. Or... Para had on him, I mean.
I kept my distance and watched as Para stepped up to the counter, looking around with a raised eyebrow and an expression that implied curiosity.
Then he looked down at a small, brass dome before him, resting on the wooden surface of the counter; a tiny knob sticking out of the top.
He tapped his hoof down on the bell, and it rang.
There was no customer service coming to assist him, and after a few seconds of waiting, he slumped his shoulders. "Hello?" He called out.
There was no response.
Ring!
Nothing.
Ring! Ring!
Silence.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
"Is this thing working...?" He muttered, then spoke up. "You have a customer waiting out here, and it's very rude to keep them waiting!" He spoke louder and with a more strained irritation behind his tone.
Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! RING! RING! RING! RING! RING! RING!
Fuck! I couldn't take it anymore! This was worse than the beeping in my helmet, whenever my core was depleted or taken out! Far worse!
I shook my head quickly, hung my head down, and groaned.
"Please, Para... Stop." Despite the increased levels of agitation that were growing inside me, I wanted to keep calm. I was getting really tired of yelling.
He looked back at me. "Stop what? I'm trying to buy the treasure!" He resumed ringing the bell, and the agitation was mutating into anger.
"Para, stop." I spoke more strict. "I mean it."
"Everypony's sleeping on the job..." He muttered, before looking around more. "Hellooooooooooooo? Anypony here?"
RING! RING! RING! RING! RING! RING!
That was it. I couldn't hold it back anymore.
I glared at him behind my visor. "STOP RINGING THAT FUCKING BELL!"
He stared back at me; his hoof a few centimeters away from hitting the brass mistake. He kept it over the instrument as he just stared back, out of surprise.
Ring!
"You're insufferable!" I pointed a metal hoof at him.
"I'm insuff-" He gasped. "Hey, I'm just trying to get some service here! Maybe they're on lunch break or something... Surely somepony here is awake."
"Why can't you just see that everyone is dead!?" My voice wobbled, and I felt the tears start fighting to escape my eyes. "Everyone is de-" I choked and gasped on my own tears and turned my back to him, making my way to the exit. I came to a stop halfway through the doorframe and murmured to myself behind a broken voice.
"I killed them..."
"Everypony is deaf?" Para started. "Well then... Why am I ringing this bell, if they can't even hear it? Why do they even have one? Well... I guess they don't need it anymore... I wish it was for sale... Such a shame. It had a good ring to it." He looked around and huffed. "Well, no use standing here then..."
I shook my head in both annoyance, anger, and the loss of hope that I could get through to him, as I walked out.
A light drizzle washed down the surface as the field of light grey clouds covered the sky in its entirety, like a blanket.
The rain deluded the puddles of blood around me as I sat on my haunches, surrounded by the deceased in every direction.
What was red was now turning a faint pink, over time.
I looked up at the grey, and rain drops splashed down on my visor, distorting my vision.
The clouds had moved in a lot faster than I thought they would have. I didn't catch a hint of blue up above, at this point.
The color reminded me of Fire's coat. Perhaps a little lighter than hers, but it still made me think of her...
It had more of a resemblance of that grey, steel ceiling I always woke up to, though.
It didn't just make me think of family...
It made me think of the safe, warm confines of home.
Something I was never going to have ever again...
I removed my helmet and set it down before me, resting one hoof atop its structure, as I continued to gaze up at the sky.
The rain pattered against my armored body, and the touch of it against my coat was... bittersweet. A cold breeze brushed through my mane; strong enough to let it sway to one side, as it traveled west, judging by what my EFS told me before I removed the helmet.
I closed my eyes, taking in the sound of the rain pattering down on my steel form. The brush of the wind against me. The cool air.
I did my best to ignore the rotten stench around me, but the more I focused on trying to ignore it, the more I noticed it.
I sighed and hung my head down, mixing my tears for the fallen with the rain drops that covered my face.
After what felt like minutes of silence, I cleared my throat and redirected my attention away from my thoughts, and to everything around me.
My mane and coat was soaked to the core.
I couldn't hear the radio, and looking back at the shop, I saw it was void of any life.
How long was I sitting out here...?
"Para...?" I stood up on all fours, slipping my helmet on, and readied my rifles, despite the fact I had no ammo. I approached the entrance to the shop warily. "Para, where are you?" There was a small sack of bottle caps lying on the counter; some of which had spilled out.
"Para?" I poked my head in, looking around the room frantically. It wouldn't surprise me if he left me behind, with how I've treated him lately. "Para, where are you?" I spoke in a more panicked tone, and my heart was starting to race. I scanned my surroundings with my EFS, desperate to find his blip as I spun in circles.
I couldn't find it! Where was he!?
"Para!" I shouted in a desperate cry. "Pa-"
Two amber blips were south of me.
I walked the length of two houses, before they both started sliding off my EFS, to the left. From there, I heard voices. I moved in closer to find out what they were saying, and who they both were. There was no knowing for certain who it was inside.
I ducked underneath one of the windows and listened.
"Where are your parents?" I heard Para ask in a soft tone.
"They're... dead."
Wait a second... I knew that voice!
"Ugh! Why did they make such big fireworks!? Didn't they know it would make them deaf? I just don't get it..." He whined. "You're not deaf. What's your secret?"
"Dead..." She said in a mutter that spoke emotional distress.
"Yeah. That's what I said. Deaf."
She sighed. "What are you doing here...?"
"Oh, I just came by to get this here valuable treasure. The journey was long, but it was worth it!" I didn't need to see him to know that he was smiling right now. The tone said it all.
Regardless, I was curious about what this treasure was all about. What made it so important?
I peeked my head over the wall, underneath the window, and saw him holding a brown cloth bag and pulling out...
No.
Fuck you, Para! That wasn't important at all, you addict!
I came here with you thinking that this was vital, and that you needed help retrieving it, knowing full well what went down in Saddle, but candy canes are not important!
"No thanks..." The filly I met earlier turned her head away from him. She sat on her haunches, next to the couch I found her at, about two days ago. "Just leave me alone..."
I stepped into view, looking through the doorframe, and when the filly looked up, her mournful eyes widened with terror.
"Y-you..." She pointed a trembling hoof at me as she backed up towards the wall, where I caught her hiding on Saddle's D-Day. "Please don't hurt me..." Her back struck the wall, and realizing she was cornered, she whimpered and curled up into fetal position, wincing and expecting it to be the end for her.
"I'm not going to hurt you..." I said softly. "It's me... Remember? The one that told you to... stay quiet?"
One eye opened and looked up at me, and not long after, her look softened just a touch. I could still see hints of fear in those dark violets. Regardless, she nodded with a brief hesitation.
Right... Now that that was out of the way...
I turned to Para. "You. Outside. We need to talk."
"Okay." He beamed at me, and I turned around, heading back out in the rain. He followed close behind.
Once we reached the middle of the street, I turned to face him, only to witness him bump into my chest. He grunted upon contact, then backed up a few steps, looking up at me as I towered over him.
"What the hell is your problem?" I asked behind clenched teeth.
He cocked his head to the side, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"What do I mean?" I laughed sarcastically. "You tell me this treasure is super frickin' important, and we almost died getting here. I was ready to just give up and leave this horrible place behind, but nooo... You just had to have it. And I'm just now finding out that your supposed 'treasure' is nothing more than a flimsy bag of candy canes!"
He grinned in response, looking up at my visor. "Oh, they aren't just any ordinary candy canes." He peeked inside the bag. "Let's see... We got Krampus canes, Sparkle Cola canes, Apple Cider canes, Zap Apple ca-"
"Shut up." I snapped.
He frowned as he studied the contents within, then looked back up at me, shaking his head with remorse. "I'm so sorry..." He paused.
My coldness was starting to diminish as I looked into his eyes. I saw true regret... He just might have been sincere... He just might have been learning.
"... I'm afraid we don't have that flavor."
I felt my eye twitch, and anger began to pool up inside me once more.
"Never even heard of it before." He continued. "Is it any good?"
I immediately snatched the bag from his hooves and crammed it into a compartment in the armor.
"Wha-hey! Give those back!" He slammed his hooves against the plating in desperate attempts to get his candy back, but it slid closed before he could get to it. I stared down at him as he fought my armor.
"You can have them back when you learn to not get us killed for petty bullshit."
"Get us billed? But I already paid for them!" He scowled and stomped his forehooves down on the street like a foal not getting what they want. "Give me back my candy canes!"
"Stop it, Para. You're not getting them back at all, if you keep acting like this. They're about to be all mine, now."
His lips trembled as he collapsed on his haunches. "My canes..." He muttered softly. "You're mean..."
"Maybe this'll teach you to not go after small things of little importance when there's a lot of death between you and it."
I started making my way back to the house, when I heard him say something softly, behind me.
"Maybe you should learn to enjoy the small things..."
I stopped at the doorframe, ignoring Para's comment as I looked down at the paranoid filly who had been crying her eyes out for far too long, judging by how red they were. Bags hung under both. Sleep deprivation did that, unfortunately...
"Do you have anywhere to go?" I asked softly.
"There's no place I want to go..." She replied, refusing to make eye contact with the visor that stared back at her.
"You can't stay here forever... You're bound to run out of food eventually, and that'll be the least of your worries. Once news gets out that Saddle is... well, you know... Raiders will come for the scraps." I shook my head. "I don't want to even think of you being... tormented by them..." I had to choose my wording carefully. She was still a kid... I hoped she didn't already know about what happened out here in the wasteland. I wish I never knew.
"I already have been..." She sobbed, and her eyes welled up more as she looked up at me with cold eyes.
She was referring to me... and the Steel Rangers.
I sighed and sat down. "I know... What I didn't know was what we were going to do when we got here... I spoke against them, but I did it a little too late... and I'm sorry... And no matter how sorry I am, I'll still pay for what happened. I accept that punishment. But in the meantime, while I'm still able, I want to do some good. Something worthy." I paused, hoping that all this was sinking in a little, for her. "But... I was referring to a much worse torment. A fate that some would call worse than death. Nopony should have to go through it, but raiders will make it happen, if they see you here." Or so the stories go... "Please... Come with us. Or just get out of here before it's too late. But don't let the raiders catch you."
She regarded me, and after a while, she wiped the tears from her face with a hoof as she sniffled.
"I'll... I'll go with you..." She said quietly. "Until we get out of the creepy forest... But then I want to go my own way... Away from you..."
I nodded. Really, I couldn't blame her... I didn't even want to be with me right now. "Alright..." I looked over my shoulder to see Para was still sulking about me taking the candy canes from him, then turned back to her. "What's your name?"
"F-Fluky..." She looked out the window, watching as the rain slid down the glass pane like a never ending curtain.
"Fluky, I'm Charger."
I heard her murmur something, but I couldn't understand what it was.
"What was that?"
She murmured again; this time just a little louder, but like the first time, I still couldn't hear it.
"You're gonna have to speak up."
"Robutt... That's your name... Because... You're a butt... A great, big, robotic butt..."
I couldn't tell if she was trying to kill the tension, but I didn't see even a hint of a smile on her.
Again, I couldn't blame her...
We both found ourselves without a home...
... Or a family...
We were both alone in the wasteland...
> Channel 000.3; A Grin From the Past
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

But now, for some miraculous reason, he's had a change of heart! He's actually done something that can be considered - dare I say it? - good!

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As much as I hated to do it, my armor was useless now. That one percent soon dropped to zero, but I made sure to have it reside in Fluky's cellar while I still had the opportunity to do so. If I ever found the chance again, I'd come back for it.
The cellar itself didn't have much in the way of valuables for our trek out of Saddle, but I found the dead radroach that Darkspark had killed earlier. That was good protein just going to waste!
I grabbed the dead, oversized insect, put it on my back, along with the bag of candy canes and the fancy buck cakes, then stepped back out into the streets.
Fluky was grabbing some personal belongings, along with some food, in her house, and Para was... well... who knew what Para was doing? He was all sorts of weird...
I kept wanting to look up at the now non-existent EFS that would have been in my field of view, if I had my armor, so I could find out where he was.
Damn it... It was gonna be tough surviving out here without it...
It was still raining out. I didn't expect it to stop anytime soon. I didn't know much about how weather worked without the help of the pegasi, but judging by the outstretched cloudy sky above, it was gonna last the better part of a day. Maybe longer.
I didn't really have a problem with that. I kinda liked it, actually. Felt refreshing. A bit on the cold side... But refreshing!
My wasteland experience was complete shit so far, but this was one of the very few things that made it just a little more enjoyable.
That joy didn't last long with the aftermath of what happened to Saddle... What I did...
I shot a blue unicorn mare in the chest. Blood spilled. They fell.
I shot a grey elder in the head. Blood spilled, and brain melted. They fell.
I shot a colt in the side. Blood spilled, and organs failed. They fell.
I shot another.
And another...
... And another...
The kills kept going, playing over and over again. I saw each and every one vividly; the fear and pain in their dying eyes. The blood pooled out of them, forming puddles. The realization of what I did the moment that I pulled the trigger...
... Right... Um... Okay, moving on...
I didn't want to think about it anymore. I didn't want to remember it. I just wanted to get out of here... But I had to wait on everyone else, first.
I stopped at where the generator was torn out and looked through the gaping hole in the side of the building.
Well... As much as I liked the rain, it'd be nice to get at least a little warmth... Plus, there might be something that could prove useful to me inside.
I climbed up the mound of rubble and set hoof inside the building. The wooden floorboards creaked underneath my steps as I walked the corridor. Three doors were on both sides of me, before a cross intersection split off into three different paths, not including the one I was already in.
The inside was a lot more down-putting than I had thought. It was too dark without the power. I could still see, but I really needed to focus on the outlines of things to figure out what they were, which didn't help the paranoia that crept into my mind.
I swear, if something jumped out at me...
... Well, I'm not sure what I'd do. But I most certainly wouldn't be happy...
Wait... Shadows walked the dark... SHIT!
I looked around in a panic that skyrocketed in my heart. Without my EFS, I was pretty much blind. I imagine they blended in well with the dark.
I didn't see any movement... And I didn't hear anything apart from the rain, the rapid beating of my own heart, and the shakiness of my breath. Maybe it was safe...?
The rain got heavier overtime, and soon enough, the building was filled with a continuous rumble against the rooftop of the three story structure.
I opened the first door on my right, only to be greeted by a vacant office. Nopony was in here, dead or alive, but the place had been overturned. The rangers must have scrounged for caps and ammo in their free time, after the incursion.
They were monsters, but I was no better. Hell, I was scavenging the same place I shot up for caps and ammo, myself. Armor, especially. Or at least something to keep me a little warmer out in the rain. I couldn't afford getting sick out here.
I had the excuse to say it was for survival.
What excuse did they have?
It was all about the hunger for greed and power.
I was contradicting myself... I felt bad for the things I did; for everything that happened. But that didn't make me any less of a monster... Did it?
I had a good excuse as to why I was looting the dead, but that only made me feel worse.
Was I really a bad pony...?
I shook the thoughts out of my head and continued down to next room; the first door on the left.
Nope. Nothing here, either. Just a broken terminal, a safe that was cracked open, and a...
Actually, I had never seen anything like that before.
Within the safe, was a single white, glowing orb, about the size of my hoof. Whatever had been in it previously was now property of the Steel Rangers.
Still... Why did they leave this...? It was an uncanny thing to leave behind.
I poked it gently, and immediately retracted my hoof, expecting it to attack. Instead, it just rolled to the back of the steel container, revealing a note that once rested beneath it.

Happy.

Happy? About what? What is there to be happy about?
I rubbed my chin, trying to figure all this out, but it was to no avail.
Well... At the very least, it'd prove as a viable light source. I didn't like walking in the dark. I didn't like being in the dark.
I carefully rolled it out of the safe and bit down on it gently. It had the texture of glass, and I didn't know how fragile it really was. I had too much on my back as it was, and I didn't want to risk this falling off and breaking. Whatever it was, it stopped being that and became my new lantern. A bit dim in the lighting, but it worked all the same.
I continued to the next room, and the next, and so on, until I ran out of doors on this side of the building. This place was nearly picked clean. I had come across three Sparkle Cola bottle caps, a terminal that was shut down long ago, judging by the dust that had built up on it over the years, and a bobby pin, of all the four remaining rooms in this section of the corridor. There were six more waiting for me on the other side of the intersection, however.
To my left were some stairs that led up to the second floor, while the right had a lobby.
I'd get to the stairs shortly. I wanted to search the rest of this floor, first.
The first door had been caved in, and a thought occurred to me. Why didn't the rangers just bust down every other door?
Looking inside, I saw why.
A group of eight had tried boarding themselves up inside to keep them safe from the rangers... Only, they had failed.
The rangers must have known no one was in the other rooms I had searched, via EFS, and so they didn't bother.
I dared not set hoof beyond the doorway. Whatever was in here, it wasn't for me. I felt bad enough just taking a bobby pin off the floor. I wanted to at least show some respect for the dead.
I heard Para's radio from outside, and I waited at the intersection until, soon enough, I saw him climb up the rubble from the far end of the large, makeshift town hall. At least... That's what it reminded me of.
He trotted over and stopped a few feet in front of me, looking behind me with curiosity and mild disgust.
"What?" I asked.
"You have a bug on you." He pointed a hoof at my chest.
I looked behind me, only to be greeted by the dead radroach. Turning back to him, I replied. "That's my dinner."
"Ew!" He backed up a little. "Yuck! I hope you brush your teeth after!"
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, whatever. Can you do me a favor?"
"What kind of flavor?" He smirked.
"I'm... just going to ignore that." I shook my head softly, then spoke up. "Go to the second floor for me, and look for anything worth taking. Guns, ammo, armor... That sort of thing."
"Gum, camo, and farmers?" He raised an eyebrow. He looked puzzled. "Well, alright... Weird thing to want all at once, if you ask me." He trotted up the stairs before I could say anything. He was just gonna take some getting used to, I guess...
I opened the next door and was greeted by a desk, a dark terminal, and on the seat before it, a black leather jacket. I had high doubts that it provided much warmth, but it was something, and something was better than nothing.
I carefully set the orb down before me, took the stuff off my back, and slipped the jacket on. The bag of candy and fancy buck cakes went in one pocket, while the caps and bobby pin went in another. I put the radroach on my back, once more.
The jacket itself wasn't all that bad, honestly. A bit of a loose fit. Whoever owned it before me was a bit bigger than I, but that gave me some space. After everything I went through with the power armor, I considered that a blessing.
I picked up the orb with my mouth again, then made my way towards the exit of the room. There was nothing left of interest here, and just like every other terminal here, this one didn't look like it worked.
Before I could leave, I heard the floorboards of the floor above me creak and snap. Hints of dust rained down on me.
Oh no...
I bolted out of the room and spun around just in time to see the ceiling collapse over where I was just a second ago. Atop the debris was the one and only Para, who had collapsed on his stomach from the fall.
I cocked my head to the side a little. I couldn't help but get a bit of humor off the whole thing, which made me smile after I removed the orb from my maw.
"You okay there?"
He grunted and winced as he got back up on all fours. "I'm going to file a complaint to the management about this..."
I chuckled softly before he reached his hoof out. Wrapped around it was a saddlebag.
"I couldn't find any gum, camo, or even farmers, but I found this, and even some nuggets!" He smiled brightly.
Nu... Nuggets?
"What do you mean by... nuggets?" I raised a brow.
"They're inside." He nudged the bags with his muzzle, smirking.
I took them and pulled the flaps open to reveal a scrambled assortment of 20 gauge shells, .308s, .357s, and 9mms.
My jaw dropped to the sight for a few second, before realizing all this was worthless without the damn guns to go with them.
And if I remembered correctly, the Steel Rangers confiscated those, too.
I'm surprised they didn't take the ammo as well.
Well... with this, I was one step ahead at surviving out here.
"Where did you find this?" I asked, looking back up at him.
"It was just lying there in the hall, and nopony had dibsies, so I figured I'd take them." Horror crept up on his face soon after. "Oh, that's not stealing, is it...? Oh, I hope I'm not stealing... Maybe we should give it back... I feel-"
"It's not stealing." I interrupted, closing the bags and putting the strap over my backside, letting both of the brown, leather compartments hang down over both flanks, therefore covering my cutiemark in its entirety. "Do you know how much ammo we have?"
"You mean nuggets? I already told you I didn't find any camo."
I sighed. "Okay, fine... How many nuggets do we have?"
"12 fat ones, 38 tall ones, 18 tiny skinny ones, and 9 stubby ones."
... Okay. The fat ones I knew were the 20 gauge shells. Tall ones... Hm... I'd have to guess those were the .308s. Tiny skinny ones... .357s? Which made the 9mms the stubby ones.
I really needed to get used to Para's... everything.
I didn't know if I believed he just found a bunch of ammo lying around in the open like that, but he didn't seem like the type to lie about stuff... I think. I didn't really know him all that well, and I needed to be more careful, just in case.
But if he was giving me ammo, then I wasn't gonna complain.
"Did you find anything else?" I asked, slipping the orb into one of the bags. I kept the flap open so that we had some light, even if it was mostly directed to the ceiling. I hated the idea of being in the dark, after what that DJ said.
He shook his head hard. "Nope. Can I have a candy cane?"
"Nope." I started to walk for the exit, but noticed he wasn't following. I looked back to see him pouting. Damn it... "Alright, here." I reached into the pocket of my new jacket and opened the bag upon pulling it out. "You can have one. No more than that."
He squee'd as he beamed at me, then hopped forward, burrowing his muzzle in, only to pull out a random one not long after. Red and white. He quickly removed the plastic wrapping and let the cane hang from his bottom lip as his taste buds absorbed the flavor of the treat.
What was his deal with those things...? They couldn't have been that good.
I sighed and put the bag back in my pocket, heading for the exit. Para followed close behind this time.
Fluky had been waiting at the bottom of the heap as we stepped out into the downpour. Seemed long enough for her to be soaked to the core, and she didn't have anything to keep her warm... I hoped she didn't get sick out here.
She had saddlebags of her own.
"Cluck, cluck, chicken buck!" Para said happily as he trotted past, before coming to a stop behind her.
"Uh... What?" She looked at him questioningly.
I sighed and shook my head. "It's a Radio talk for hello."
I noticed her grimace as I started to walk past, and that stopped me in my tracks as I looked down at her warily.
"What?" I asked.
"You're not going to... eat that, are you?" She glanced at the meat on my back.
I looked back at it, before returning to her. "Yes, I am. Why are you two so disgusted by that?"
"That's not normal..." She looked into my eyes with sincerity. "Eating meat... That's just wrong."
"Tell him about the importance of dental hygiene!" Para said aloud in desperation.
That earned him a look from both Fluky and I, which made him grin sheepishly, revealing his impossibly perfect, clean teeth, as he spoke in a soft voice.
"What?"
"Idiot..." I murmured, rolling my eyes and looking back down at the filly, who looked back up at me with a raised eyebrow. "Ready to go?"
She shrugged. "I guess..."
I looked over her body and frowned. "Don't you want something to keep you warm and dry?"
"Not really." She stated simply. "Let's just go..." She turned and started walking, and I swore I heard her say something under her breath... Something that hit me hard.
"Murderer..."
A sharp, emotional dagger lodged into my heart... But I couldn't try and justify what I had done, nor would I.
I couldn't imagine what she was going through... I mean, yes, we were both under similar circumstances... kind of... but she had parents to lose...
I never even knew my mom or dad.
I wasn't going to play the victim.
... Especially when I was looking at one right now...


(((((((◉)))))))


The raindrops, which were now a heavy downpour, ran through the colorless leaves overhead, hitting us all with a cold drench that made the small comfort for this weather wither and die.
We all walked side by side; Para on my right, and Fluky on his. It was blatantly obvious she didn't want to be near me.
None of us had really said a word to each other for the duration of most of the trip. Para had chewed up the rest of his cane before we even set hoof in the forest. He kept the volume on his radio mute. I didn't understand why he wouldn't just turn it off and save the battery, rather than keeping it on with the volume all the way down. I especially didn't understand why he still had a slight dance to his walk, even with the lack of music.
Still... I had to admit... The 'silence' was nice. The rain, not so much...
I grew tired of the rain a lot quicker than I thought...
I also didn't like that we were traveling through a deadly forest that covered an entire city.
I officially hated the surface. I hated trees. I hated rain. I hated heights. I hated stairs, clouds, the sun, the moon, the stars... everything. I had enough of the surface! I wanted to crawl back underground and never come out!
About what I estimated as an hour passed, and we came across a billboard from before the bombs fell, to the right side of the highway we walked along. The edges were covered by the trees and their roots, but the center gave us more than enough space, due to the trail.
The picture was ragged and torn, and there was a series of vandalism displayed over parts of it, but the sign itself showed a pony grinning ahead. Most of the text beside his forehead was missing, but in big, bold, black letters, and reading through the decay of the sign, I made out a '-PY.'
That pony was the same one I saw in the wanted poster...
I remembered the first part of his name had an H. H-py. Was it... Was it 'Happy?' Mr. Happy? Weird name... That couldn't be it...
But I found my mind drift off to the note in the safe.
Happy.
Hm...
His coat was caught in the drainage of color, just like everything else in this forest, but it was most definitely the same guy from the wanted poster. He even wore the same overcoat and shirt!
Just who was he...? And... hold up...
Upon further inspection of the sign, as we walked past, and after piecing some missing letters to words, I discovered that it was a sign to a... dentistry? That couldn't be right...
The vandalism consisted of messages of a variety of haters he had made, way back when, but just like the billboard, the graffiti was worn out.
'Murder!'
'Psychopath!'
'Butcher!'
'Rot in Hell!'
'How could you!?'
'We trusted a monster.'
These messages were directed to someone that died long before I was even born. Everyone that wrote those messages had died with him under one big atomic blast. Turned to ash and swept away as one.
Even then, I felt a pain from them, as if they were directed toward me and what I did.
Maybe I was the wasteland's Happy.
What kind of sick joke was this?
Para nudged my shoulder, and I looked at him. He pointed a hoof at the billboard, looking up at it. "See, even he says you should brush your teeth. He's a smart pony. He knows what he's talking about."
"Do you?" I asked, then looked back up at the picture. "There's something really off about him..."
He shrugged. "I dunno. I mean... look at that smile. How could you not trust a pony like that?"
"Smile or no smile, ponies hated him. I know next to nothing about this pony, but I do know that the biggest monsters are the ones that look trustworthy. Appearance doesn't make justifications."
I did something horrible, too. I didn't really have room to talk, and so with that, I didn't bother opening my mouth anymore on the subject, which was fine, because the conversation had ended with my statement anyways.
I looked over at the filly to see her head was hung down, covering her eyes again, just like when I first saw her.
"Hey." I spoke softly. "You okay, Flukes?"
"Don't call me that..." She muttered.
"Okay... Are you o-"
"Fine." She snapped, but did well to keep her voice down. "Just leave me alone..."
I hesitantly nodded, then looked forward again.
For a while, things between the three of us were back to being quiet. It was for the best anyways. I didn't need any problems occurring. I was busy with all the chatter in my radio as it was.
Para looked over at the filly. "Heya, Flakes. Let's turn that frown upside down!" I looked at her again to see she was giving him a weird look.
"My name's not-"
"I'd give you a cupcake candy cane, if Mr. No Fun would let me have any!" He swung his head toward me, giving me a spiteful look, before returning to Fluky.
I rolled my eyes in reply and looked ahead at the towers, once more.
My hooves were starting to ache, and my back was doing no better. We were all soaked and cold.
We were just starting to pass by a motel to our left, and I stopped.
The other two looked at me.
"We should stop and get some rest. Get out of the rain." I looked back at them.
Fluky sighed. "Fine." She started walking for the building I had observed. Para stayed by my side.
"Can I have a-"
"No." I interrupted. Damn it, he was more childish than the kid!
He started pouting again, like he did earlier, but this time, I ignored him and walked after her.
"Hey." I said softly. "Stay close."
"Leave me alone. Stay away from me." She approached a door with the number '12,' on the bottom floor.
"Please, Fluky. At least let me check if it's safe, first."
"I told you to go away!" She shouted.
She reached her hoof out to the door, and just as she pushed it, something inside shattered, which was soon followed with the hissing of what I imagined to be the roots.
"Fluky, get away from the door..." I whispered, hoping she could hear my voice over the rain.
She slowly backed away from it, and I did the same myself.
Nothing was trying to break out yet, so that was a-
Para performed a hop, skip, and a jump at the start of a dance, as he made his way to the door, singing. Oh no...
"With a smile and a trot, a hop to the top! A tune that never stops, and a bunny that never flops!"
"Para, no!" I whispered, trying my best to keep my voice down but get his attention all at once. "Get away from the door!"
Of course, he ignored me, and burst through the door, singing as he raised his forehooves in the air and waving them a little. "It's Pa-Pa-Pa-Para!"
Several roots and vines lunged out at him as they screeched to ear deafening levels.
Two flaps opened up on the ends of the vines as they charged at him. I looked around, panicked, wondering if there were anymore coming for us, but in doing so, I caught the glimpse of Fluky's tail descending into a dumpster.
She was safe there, for now.
I didn't see any other hostile vegetation except the ones at the motel.
I charged after Para to get him out of the way. Time was not on my side.
The vines started spraying a misty substance in the air, which I could only imagine did wonders to their prey.
"Para, move!" I shouted.
He turned around to me and smiled.
Damn it, Para! MOVE!
I tackled him from the side just in time, before the roots were ready to snatch him.
We both tumbled to the concrete walkway, and a few of Para's personal belongings flew from his pockets, including my cores.
The cage to his little buddy fell off and landed on its side. The bunny within squeaked and looked around frantically.
The item that caught my immediate attention, however, was a gun.
Not just any gun...
This was more advanced than anything I'd ever seen before. It had a slick, silver, curved body, and the barrel had three, different sized, orange, glowing rings; the one on the end being the smallest, and the one in the rear being the largest.
He had a gun... He had. A gun!
Fucking liar!
Para reached out for the gun as we laid on the ground, but I lunged for it before he could get a hold of it and bit down on the grip, putting my tongue against the trigger.
"Hey, that's not yours!" Para protested.
"SHU UF!" I released a muffled scream as I swung around, jumped back from a hissing vine that sprayed its fumes at me and fired blindly in its direction. In jumping back, I was standing over the delusional stallion; his head between both of my rear hooves. I managed to get away from the green mist before it could do Celestia knew what to me.
The first three shots had missed; the green energy blasts striking nearby wagons and asphalt. I witnessed them melt away into a pile of bright, glowing green goo.
Just what was this thing?
One of the vines lunged at me, and before I could fire, had rammed into my chest, knocking me back. I almost lost my grip on the gun. The others surrounded Para and sprayed at him, while that one stayed on me.
He coughed violently as he laid on the ground, and as staggered as I was, the vine took its opportunity to put me through that same coughing fit.
I did everything I could in my power to hold on to the gun, but it was getting more difficult with each attack. My eyes and nostrils were burning. My lungs were being drained of any oxygen, and I wasn't receiving any more.
I closed my eyes to try and evade the burn to my sight as I fired repeatedly, hoping I hit the right target.
If I hit Para...
Well... That'd be just one more kill added to my count...
I heard a screech after my fourth shot, and opening my eyes, I saw the vine writhe in agony, before whipping through the air as it retreated. A green glow brightened over time, where the two flaps parted ways, like a hooded cobra, and it  spread throughout its form.
It fell in its struggles to get away, and became nothing more than a pile of green, glowing sludge.
That's right! There's more where that came... from...
... Oh dear...
I realized they felt the same way, once roots and vines started closing in from every direction.
Oh shit...
The tearing of roots sounded around us, and the trees shook as I backed away from the building and into the parking lot. I aimed around frantically and fired at anything that tried getting close.
We were outnumbered. There was no way we could get out of this. Para stopped coughing, but the vines kept on him. He was going to die, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.
Something rough wrapped around my hind leg, but before I could look, I was yanked across the lot, towards the forest. The gun fell from my mouth from the surprise, and I screamed as I fought to grab a hold of something that just might save me!
To my misfortune, all that I could reach was air and cracked, worn out asphalt.
I fought to get away as much as I could, but the more I did, the tighter they squeezed my leg, getting to the point where it felt like it was about to fall off, and experiencing how strong these roots were. Judging by what I saw them do to power armor, I wasn't entirely surprised.
Is this what River felt back on the crashed Vertibuck?
My scream shifted, mixing fear with excruciating, crippling pain.
This was it. My short lived time in the wasteland was coming to an end.
I was going to the place that was the best... Or... I hoped I was. After what I did, chances were I was going to the place that was the worst.
Then, suddenly, a burst of light emerged from the dumpster, and both roots and vines spasmed uncontrollably. I felt the root around my leg lose its grip, but it fought to hang on and pull me away.
The vines that sprayed their fumes at an unconscious Para jerked about, and turned to sludge. The roots cracked and withered away, blowing off into the wind and staining the wet ground.
I felt the appendage around my hoof vanish as I laid there, sprawled out on my stomach. After a few seconds of trying to figure out what just happened, I got up.
... Okay, tried to get up.
I cried out in pain as I put pressure on my hoof, and looking back, I discovered a red, dripping ring that ran around the width of the limb, over a puddle of grey ash that was once the vicious cause of the injury.
Okay, new plan...
I got up on three hooves and kept my injured one lifted off the ground. It stung like crazy to the touch of rain, but there was nothing I could have done about that, at the moment. It was just another problem I had to deal with, like the rash on my flank.
I limped carefully to Para, who laid still in the walkway of the motel.
I looked around to see what remained of the trees in the vicinity were still in the process of withering away with the rain and wind. The vines had all melted into the ground with that sludge-like texture.
I stopped at Para. His radio was hanging out of his pocket, and I had noticed it was off. I didn't see the glow. It must have gotten damaged some time, during the attack.
... Probably when I tackled him.
If not the attack, then the rain.
"Fluky!" I turned to the dumpster. "Come on out. It's safe." I paused, scanning the treeline in the distance, then added with a murmur. "... I think."
The lid opened and she crawled out, rubbing her temple.
"My head hurts..." She shook it and blinked a few times, before looking up at me, then at Para, then at our surroundings. "What happened?"
"Your guess is as good as mine." That was a lie. I had a pretty good idea what happened, judging by the light that came from her hiding spot. But if she didn't know what happened, maybe it was best to keep it from her. I had a feeling in my gut that I shouldn't tell.
I put all the stuff that fell from his pockets back in, hoisted him up on my back, went back for the gun that laid in the lot, pocketed it, and returned to Fluky, looking at the doors to our left and right.
"Think it's safe now?" I asked.
"I hope so." She looked on at the building skeptically.
"Well..." I paused, taking one last long look at the dead 'plants' around us. "If there was anything in there, they would have come for us by now." Even if they were in hiding for an ambush, that was unlikely now, seeing as they could have very well been caught in the radius of Fluky's freaky, magic light. However, if they were behind closed doors, then there was a chance they didn't get as affected as the others, so I still needed to tread carefully.
I set Para down beside Fluky. 
Room 12 wasn't an option anymore, what with the door being smashed to thousands of pieces. We needed something that kept the outside, out.
I carefully approached Room 10, taking the gun out of my pocket and biting down on the grip. My tongue felt around for the trigger and stayed glued to it as I opened the door cautiously.
The lack of attention and care for over 200 years to the hinges resulted in an excessive creak as I pushed my hoof against the door.
I cringed and closed my eyes, but I didn't hear anything on the other side of the door. I took a deep breath through my nostrils, opened my eyes, and swung the door open the rest of the way. I backed up and aimed inside the room, only to find that it was vacant.
I looked at Fluky to see her looking back up at me with wary eyes, standing beside Para, before I walked into the gloomy, dim-lit room. I didn't see anything unusual here, yet. Could use a bit of dusting, but it looked like an ordinary motel, judging by what I saw in the pamphlets and brochures I used to read as a colt.
A double bed in the main room. T.V. on the other side, across from the mattress. Small table near the window, with two chairs to accompany it.
I looked in the closet.
Empty coat hangars and a hooflocker. I opened the metal, rectangular container, but it was empty. Guess no one had checked this room out before the bombs fell.
I closed the door to the closet and proceeded to the bathroom...
... Only to find an ordinary bathroom.
After one final look around, I trotted back to the front door and looked at the two ponies I traveled with. 'Trotted' wasn't the right word. More like... Stumbled.
"All clear." I said after putting the gun away. I trotted to Para - or tried to, - lifted him on my back, and walked back in the room. Damn it, my leg hurt like Hell...
Fluky dragged the cage with her, and did a good job at sticking close to me, in the process.
I set Para down on the bed as the filly closed the door behind us. I heard the click of the lock and smiled faintly as I looked back at her.
"What?" She asked, staying near the door.
"Just glad you wised up."
"I still hate you..." She glared.
"And you have every right to." I stated bluntly as my smile faltered, before turning around and starting for the bathroom. I came to a complete stop and looked back. "Did you pack any medical supplies?"
"Nope." She dumped the contents of her bags out on the floor before her.
Oh sweet Celestia...
"You... You packed up a bunch of comic books?" I raised an eyebrow.
She nodded.
"I was hoping you'd have packed something more useful..." I murmured under my breath, turning back to the bathroom and closing the door behind me.
I ripped off the shower curtain, ripped it into smaller strips, and wrapped one around my leg, before tying it. I made sure not to make it too tight. It hurt enough as it was. Plus, I needed blood circulation running in that limb still, anyways.
I hope I didn't get an infection from the lack of antiseptic...
I continued to keep pressure off my hoof as I went back into the main room. Fluky was sitting at the table, reading one of her many useless comic books. The others were stacked up into a pile, resting on the table before her.
Ah... That wasn't fair to her. After everything I did to her... She had every right to pack them. They were hers. And for all I knew, they were her coping mechanism. Unlike Para's candy canes, they didn't jeopardize our safety. I hope they never did, either.
I'd have to give her a gun and some ammo, when she was ready to part ways, but at the moment, all I had was this weird... yet amazing plasma pistol of sorts. It worked like one, but there was something different about it. I couldn't quite place it...
I took off my bags and jacket and laid down on the bed, getting under the covers. Para was still knocked out, lying on his stomach. Nothing was taken off him except for the rabbit cage, which sat beside the bed. I wasn't going to bother trying to take it off, anyways. That looked like too much work, and I was tired.
And in pain.
Oh, was I in pain...
The pitter patter of the rain gradually grew louder as time went on, but every so often, it would quiet down just a little, only to get stronger a few minutes later.
I closed my eyes, listening to the downpour outside and the occasional turn of a page, until I didn't anymore.
Sleep finally took me.
> Channel 000.4; Raindrop Motel
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hold on a second! Eternal chaos comes with chocolate rain, you guys! CHOCOLATE RAIN!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The first thing that came to my senses upon waking from my slumber was the thunderous rain outside. My leg still hurt, and the rash on my rump still burned. More so, as I was lying on it.
The blanket kept me warm, but the room smelled musty. I must have been too distracted to notice it before.
I opened my eyes, but instead of looking up at the ceiling, I was looking up at a smiling Para, who looked down at me as he stood over my body.
I yelped and tried jumping up, but I soon discovered that I couldn't move my limbs... or my tail, for that matter!
"What's going on?" I asked, breathing heavily and in a panic, looking around. "What are you doing?" I spotted the gun right beside my head, but I couldn't reach it; even with my tongue, it was out of reach. "Why can't I move!? What did you do to me!?" I looked back at him, wide-eye'd.
He simply shook his head, keeping that smile up. He spoke in a calm, yet happy tone. "You should know better." He moved his muzzle down beside my head, bit down on the gun's grip, and came back with it; barrel pointing at me.
He stared me down through those two golden rings, contemplating something...
What was going on in his head...?
For the longest time, I was convinced he was going to pull the trigger, and the longer he stood there, the more I expected it...
... Instead, he pocketed the gun and looked back at me with that same smile he had before.
"Stealing is bad." He paused, scanning my eyes with his, before resuming. "Besides... Aren't ya too old to be playing with toys?" His eyes narrowed on mine.
Toys...?
He thought that was a toy!?
Oh Celestia, we're doomed...
... Or, I was doomed...
I was still convinced he was going to do something to me. This wasn't normal.
I looked around the room, only to find that Fluky was gone. Damn it... Not like she'd help me out of this situation, anyways...
An abrupt hissing of static emanated from his radio. Para stood there for a few seconds, before backing off. He was still smiling as he sat on the floor, facing me.
The DJ pony spoke a few seconds later.
"Now, would you just look at that weather..." He sounded almost surprised. "We didn't have any readings for this, but let's hope it doesn't last too long. Consider this a lazy day, ponies of the wasteland! Don't wanna be stuck out in that dreadful rain now, do we? Stay indoors, wherever you are, kick your hooves back, and chillax to these fine tunes."
The song started with a moderately paced beat of the higher notes of a guitar.

Well, take me back down where the cool waters flow, yeah
Let me remember things I love
Stoppin' at the log where catfish bite
Walkin' along the river road at night
Barehoof mares dancin' in the moonlight

Para closed his eyes and took in the music; his smile brightening.
... Okaaaaaaaaaaaaay then.
I sat up, and when the blanket fell off my upper half, I looked down at my body.
Oh no...
A sturdy length of rope was tied firmly around my forehooves...
I kicked off the rest of the blanket from my form.
Oh, that... that... Why!?
I gaped down at my tail, which was tied around my hind legs. I snapped a look at Para, who kept his mind on the music.
"Para..." I said behind clenched teeth.
He opened his eyes. "Hm?"
"Care to explain why I'm tied up?" I felt my eye twitch.
"Oh, that?" He beamed at me. "You can blame your sticky, greedy hooves." He pointed a hoof up to the ceiling, keeping it level with his smug expression.
"I wasn't stealing it." I stated with strain in my voice as I tried getting out of the bindings around my forehooves. "I was using it to fight off the... er... vegetation." Okay, that sounded stupid...
"It's a toy, silly!" He shook his head. "You don't need toys. You're a stallion."
"Then why do you have it?" I snapped. "You're a full grown stallion, too! Maybe not in the brain, but you have the body of one!"
"Oh, it's not for me, silly! I just keep it around. I'm sure some kid is missing it, somewhere. I just want to see the smile on their face after I bring it to them!"
Oh... Para...
I swear, I felt my brain cells killing themselves...
I shook my head from what he just said. "Okay, I... learned my lesson, I guess. Untie me."
"Okay." He got up, smiling like he always did, and bit down on the rope. With one pull, it came loose.
Okay... It couldn't have been that easy! Still, I felt stupid that he did it with no troubles whatsoever, when I couldn't. It was like being in the tilted tower all over again.
He got to work on my tail, but before he could get a bite down, I put a hoof to his shoulder. "Whoa, what are you doing?"
He looked up at me. "Removing your tail around your legs."
"Okay, but... you're not going to remove my tail altogether, are you?"
"Of course not." He gave me a weird look and got back down to my hindquarters, removing the tail around my hocks with his teeth.
Despite everything that just happened... The creepy smile I woke up to, the gun being pulled on me... The rather intimidating lesson... I could feel his breath rather close to a sensitive area as he worked on getting my tail off from around my legs. Occasionally, I felt it directly on that sensitive area, and I did my best to not think like that.
"So, uh... Where is Fluky?" I asked in a voice crack, before coughing a bit.
He pulled my tail loose, and I held onto it with my fores, covering a certain something up that was starting to grow, behind a curtain of black hair.
"She went out there." He nodded to the door, sitting up straight.
"You let her go out there alone?" I stared at the door for a few seconds, then back at him, feeling myself finally calm down. "Why?"
"She wanted to check out the gift shop." He smiled.
I sighed and stood up, suddenly remembering my injury. I winced and lifted my leg off the ground, then limped on three hooves, heading for the door.
The rain was even heavier than I remembered. Any harder, and I'd be worried about the roof caving in.
I cracked the door open just a little and peeked outside.
Rain and hail the size of tennis balls dived down, striking anything out in the open.
I stepped out, closed the door behind me, and stayed under the second story balcony, walking towards the sign above the door at the far end of the motel, which read 'OFFICE & GIFT SHOP.'
Even through the heavy rain, I could hear stuff being moved around in there.
I stopped at the wooden door with a rectangular window on the upper half. The door itself remained ajar.
"Fluky." I said softly.
The sounds within ceased.
"Can I come in?"
I didn't hear a response.
"Fluky..."
"Yeah, sure... Come in..." She didn't sound too pleased.
I gently eased my hoof on the door and pushed my way in.
The office was a mess. Papers everywhere. Overturned chairs. Blinds over the windows that couldn't even really be called that, anymore.
Fluky stood at a desk in the room behind the counter, keeping her attention away from me.
I limped around the counter and stopped at the doorway to the room she was in.
"Hey."
"What do you want, Robutt?"
I looked around at the mess surrounding us. "Are you okay?"
"What do you think?" She asked, looking over her shoulder. "You and your friends killed mine... My friends... My family..."
"I'm sorry..." I said with remorse. "If I could take it back, I would."
She 'hmphed' and went back to picking a lock on the desk drawer with a bobby pin.
"I know sorry will never be enough, but..."
"Please..." She interrupted behind clenched teeth, biting down hard on the pin. "I don't want to talk to you, and I don't want to talk about that, so if we're gonna talk, make it about something else." The pin snapped, and she spat out the other half. "Ah, pony feathers!" She punched her hoof against the drawer and sat there, facing away from me, before sighing and turning around. "I... found something for you, by the way..." She looked down, refusing to make eye contact with me.
I raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
She turned towards the desk once more and pulled open a separate drawer. She reached her head in, bit down on the glass neck of a bottle, and pulled it out, only to set it down before me.
A bottle half full of vodka.
"For your leg." She said quietly, turning back to the desk drawer that remained locked. "Just wish I could have opened that one..."
"Thanks, Fluky..." I sat down and removed the bandages around my leg, then unscrewed the cap off the bottle, pouring a little over the red.
I winced and groaned as a sudden, sharp sting spread throughout the injury. In doing so, I nearly dropped the bottle entirely.
Fluky looked back at me with no expression. She just watched silently.
I drenched my makeshift bandage with alcohol, put the bottle down, and wrapped the sheet fragment around my injury, feeling a more concentrated burn behind it.
Well... That's how I knew it was working, at least...
I tied it and collapsed on my back, waiting for the burn to subside just a little.
"So..." I winced. "Do you have any medical training?"
"No." She shook her head. "I just know the basics. Mommy and daddy both taught me about how alcohol works on cleaning wounds... You know... Before they were killed..." She finished bluntly.
I sighed. "Look... Fluky..."
"You had no right."
Thunder rolled outside.
"I know, but..."
"No buts!" She shouted. "You're a murderer!" She pointed at the bottle with a sickening grimace. "I only gave that to you so that you could either drink yourself to death, or stay in shape long enough to get me out of here. That wasn't me being nice!" She glared, and another roll of thunder came to pass.
"Fluky, it's complicated..."
Was it just me, or was the rain getting even louder?
"Oh, it's complicated enough to kill of an entire town!?" A yellow aura flared to life around her horn.
"Fluky, what are you doing...?" I backed up a few steps.
"You think you have an excuse for what you did!? IS THAT IT!?" She stomped her hooves down, and lightning flashed outside, making me jump. "YOU'RE A MONSTER!" Tears ran down her cheeks. "YOU'LL NEVER DO ANYTHING GOOD!"
The land outside was growing darker by the second.
"Fluky, calm down..."
"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! YOU KILLED EVERYPONY I CARED..." She choked on her own voice and collapsed, hiding her face with her hooves as she bawled; the tip of her muzzle showing. The light around her horn faded, and the land outside started growing back to its original dullness once more. "Everypony I cared for! We did nothing to you ponies! And you murdered them all! Why!?"
Why...
There were more than a few answers to that.
Orders.
Greed.
Corruption.
Fun.
Fear.
Survival.
I had three reasons. The rest of the Steel Rangers had other reasons in that list.
Orders, fear, and survival were mine. I guess, in a way, that led to greed as well. Greed for my own safety. For my own life. I took the lives of others so that I may continue mine.
I had greed in me, after all, it seemed...
I stood up as she wept and calmly approached, but she backed away from me before I could reach her.
I nodded silently, grabbed the bottle with my teeth, and limped out into the lobby. She needed her own space for now. In the meantime, I'd keep a lookout for anything that tried sneaking its way in.
I sat there, looking out the window. The parking lot was flooded. I imagined that, before long, all of Saddle would be, if this rain kept up.
Her screams and cries for everything she loved and lost mixed in with the storm.
And there was nothing I could do to console her...


(((((((◉)))))))


It felt like hours had passed by, before she finally calmed down.
I respected her grief, though. She definitely needed to let it out.
She returned to me as I laid under one of the windows near the door. I made sure to keep the outside in my field of view, just in case.
I looked at her to see she was still avoiding making eye contact with me.
"Do you want to head back to the room now?" I asked softly, as if it were a sensitive subject.
She sniffled and nodded.
I stood up and took a long look at the outside, though, with the end-of-the-world weather obscuring my vision, I couldn't see very far. Still, it looked safe to leave, so far. And I didn't hear anything unusual throughout the time I waited here.
I opened the door and stepped outside, looking around some more.
Nothing unusual yet.
I looked back and nodded, and then Fluky came out with a much slower pace than my own... and I was crippled.
We didn't say a word to each other the entire walk back. There was nothing to say. She hated me, and I hated me, too. I just wanted to make things right for her, but that wasn't going to happen.
All I could do was try and protect her until she decided to go her own way.
I opened the door to our motel room.
Para sat there, smiling, with three different flavors of candy canes in his mouth.
I sighed and put my hoof over my face as I hung my head down. "Para..."
Fluky stepped in, and Para reached into the candy bag. He pulled out a red and white cane, and tossed it to Fluky. "Told ya I'd give ya one." He smiled brighter before adjusting the three canes in his mouth with his tongue.
I stepped in and closed the door behind me with the tip of my injured hoof. "Para, what did I say about the candy canes?"
His ears folded back, and he frowned, like a colt that got scolded. "That they're... yours?"
"And what are you doing?" I raised an eyebrow, looking at him coolly.
"... Eating your candy canes..." He took a step back.
"What's the lesson here?" I took a step forward. "You told me it, not too long ago."
"To not... touch... what isn't mine...?"
I nodded. "Good." I snatched the bag of canes. "These... are mine. No touching. You can have what's already in your mouth, but no more, unless I offer them. Got it?" I slipped my jacket on and put the pouch in my pocket.
"Yes..." He hung his head down, sulking.
I took a Fancy Buck cake out and unwrapped it. I was hungry, but I wasn't able to cook the radroach I kept around. I wasn't trying to set fire to our shelter, and I couldn't start a fire out there, with the rain. I didn't favor the idea of eating it raw, either.


(((((((◉)))))))


It had been one day since we waited in the motel.
I thought that maybe the storm would have passed by now, but it was still as strong as ever. Going out there may have been a death sentence for us.
Para kept his radio playing throughout the day. The DJ would talk about the weather, and only that, when he wasn't playing music.
I suppose it was better than complete silence, a part from the thundering rain that seemed to almost try and break in.
Fluky had her comics, Para had his music, and I had... Hm...
A dead, rotting radroach.
I had grabbed a bucket I found around the building and set it outside so that we could get some water. I couldn't boil it. I had nothing to boil it with. I had a feeling that if there was one thing that would kill us out here, it'd be infection. Sickness.
For all I knew, the rain out there was radioactive.
If only I had a geiger counter...
My armor had one installed, and for the time that I had been on the surface with it, I didn't once hear any clicks. Was the surface clean? Was everything I was taught, a lie?
Maybe Saddle was okay. Maybe it didn't get hit as bad as other places.
Later on in the day, I brought the bucket back in.
Fluky and Para were eager to drink the water within, but I stopped them with a raised hoof.
"Wait." I said. "I don't know if it's toxic or not."
Fluky raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you bring it in...?"
"If somepony is going to test it, it's going to be me. I don't want any of you having to deal with radiation poisoning."
"I've been on the surface all my life, Robutt." She stated. "I'm fine, and so is the water."
"I don't want to risk it. Just let me try it first."
"I'm telling you, it's fine. But hey..." She shrugged. "If there's a chance it's deadly, I'd be more than happy to let you try it first." She smirked.
I looked down at the bucket, my heart pounding in my chest, as I fought to take even a sip of it. I was beyond terrified of the thought of getting radiation poisoning. I knew what it could do to ponies... Or... At least, I think I knew... I was obviously brainwashed to think a lot of things about the surface. I didn't know what was true and what wasn't, anymore.
I took a deep breath and moved my head down, taking a few gulps of the water.
It was cold. Freezing, in fact. There was a slight, salty taste to it... Almost like tears.
I waited a minute as everypony looked at me, and I at them.
I felt fine. It tasted fine, for the most part. A little off in terms of flavor. After all, water wasn't supposed to have flavor. It especially wasn't meant to be salty.
I didn't feel sick, though. I didn't feel wrong about it.
"I think it's fine." I said calmly.
Fluky rolled her eyes and trotted to the bucket. "Such a shame..." She muttered, before taking a few gulps. She recoiled, then spat, frowning at me afterward. "Ew! You didn't tell me it was salty!"
I looked back with a faint smile. "I guess the saltiness of my soul canceled it out."
She stared for a few seconds, then shook her head, rolling her eyes again. She returned to the bucket and reluctantly resumed drinking.
Once she was done, Para started drinking.
Bottles would have been nice. It was a bit weird... and gross... to be drinking from the same source.


(((((((◉)))))))


Two days had passed since we seeked shelter in the motel.
It was still raining as hard as ever. Thunder boomed through the sky, and on occasion, abrupt flashes of light lit up the room through the windows.
We were all bored out of our minds. Well... except Para. He just kept bobbing his head to the music. Even when the radio was off, he was bobbing his head to... something.
The radroach was starting to make the room smell like rot and decay, and I knew I'd just get sick trying to eat it at this point.
I tossed it out in the rain and locked the door. I was really looking forward to eating that, too...


(((((((◉)))))))


Three days had passed.
We were all getting hungry, and I gave my last Fancy Buck cake to Fluky so she could eat. It wasn't a real meal, but hopefully it satisfied her.
It wasn't enough, though. Fluky was still hungry, I could tell. I was too. Even Para was starting to complain.
I stood up on three hooves, as my injury still hurt. "You two stay here. I'll see if I can't find something for us to eat."
After they both agreed to stay, I left our room and went to the next.
And the next, and so forth.
I had to make a few trips back, but I found maybe a week's worth of food - all of it being Sugar Apple Bombs and canned goods - and even a 6 pack of Sparkle Cola! Untouched for Celestia knew how long, but still as good as ever.
I made a few non-food related trips for extra pillows and blankets. They smelled awful, but it was deal with it, or freeze to death. The motel wasn't getting any warmer.


(((((((◉)))))))


Four days...
And it was still raining. It hadn't calmed down even a little.
We had limited resources, and it seemed that the longer we waited here, the colder it got.
We couldn't wait anymore... If it was still raining by tomorrow... Well, we just needed to push through it and start moving again...
Rain was now something on my list of most hated things in the wasteland.
We spent the day sitting around and doing... well, nothing. Para still had his music on, but he turned the volume down to a level that was almost mute, and Fluky was on her last comic book.
"Hey, Flukes." I said softly with a faint smile, limping over to her.
"Don't call me that." She said without so much as glancing in my direction. Her eyes were glued to the page.
I chuckled softly and sat down at the opposite end of the table. "Whatcha reading there?"
"A comic book." She stated bluntly.
"What's it about?" My smile widened a little.
She looked up at me with a cold expression. "It's about a murderer who minded his own business and avoided the filly whose life he destroyed."
My smile diminished as I sat there a moment, looking down at the table's dusty surface between us. "I'll... leave you to it, then..." I quietly got up and limped back to the bed. I looked back, before getting on the mattress, and continued. "Just a heads up, we're heading out tomorrow, so long as it's okay with everypony. It'd be best if we left while we still had food for the road... even if it's still raining."
Fluky mumbled something to herself, but I couldn't understand what it was. Probably something about how evil I was, and how I killed helpless ponies...
I laid down on the bed and kept my injured hoof stretched out and straightened. It still hurt, but it was a lot more bearable than it was when I first got it. I made sure to clean out the wound until it closed up on a daily. It was taking its time, but the bleeding stopped. I changed the ripped sheeting to something cleaner once a day. I had half a quarter of vodka left, and I hadn't put a single drop of it on my tongue. It all went to my leg and bandages.
Besides... Who had the time to get drunk out here, anyways? That seemed like a horrible idea!
Para hopped on the bed, landing on his stomach. His little buddy hopped up on the mattress after he rolled over on his back. She squeaked, and he picked her up, only to set her down on his chest. He looked at me as he patted her metal frame and smiled. "Can I have a cane?"
I rolled my eyes and gave him a faint smile in return. "I don't see why not." I reached into my jacket pocket and took the pouch out. "Any specific flavor?" I asked, looking inside.
"Green!" He raised a hoof to the ceiling, grinning.
I had to look carefully for a while. Stupid colorless land had to affect everything...
After minutes of close observation, I finally figured out which one was which, and pulled it out. I tossed it to Para, and he caught it in his mouth.
I giggled softly, and he took the wrapping off and let the cane hang on his bottom lip.
"Do you wanna play a card game or something?" I asked. "I could use something to help pass the time."
He nodded happily and reached into the pocket of his jacket, which he had hung up on the corner of the bed frame. Atop that, was his straw hat.
Just like last time, he was winning. Every. Single. Round. I don't know what it was with him in winning all the time. He just had luck on his side, I suppose.
This time, I learned to not take it seriously. It was still fun to try and win even a single round of Go Fish.
We wrapped up in blankets for warmth as we played.
Music played, and the radio host came around every so often with something to say about weather or his 'travels.'
After a while, something caught my full, undivided attention.
"I just came back from Saddle, everypony. I'm sorry to say, but... that peaceful little community of ponies is no more... They're all dead. Any merchants that are looking to trade, stay away from there. None of you should go near Saddle regardless, but... Now there's absolutely no reason to go there. There's nothing for you there. Stay away from the city, the forest... All of it.
"As for what happened, I'm not quite sure... But this wasn't raider activity. This was something bigger, folks... I mean something organized. Stay tuned, my little ponies... and stay safe out there... There's something dark out in the wastes."
No... No... Don't think about it... I know I messed up...
I kept my smile up, but inside, I was bawling my eyes out and screaming. Fluky was right... I was a murderer. And it hurt so much more, because I knew she was right...
Once the sun tucked itself beneath the horizon and all light was gone from this corner of Equestria, we called it a night.


(((((((◉)))))))


I awoke to the heavy pounding of rain, as I did for four days before this one. The first thought wasn't what I did in Saddle, for once.
It was more... 'What the Hell is on me, and can I kill it?'
It wasn't moving, and I didn't hear any hisses, growls, or anything of that sort.
I cracked open one eye, and what I saw was much more welcoming than what I thought it was.
Para had his hoof stretched out across my chest. His ear was pressed to the steady rhythm of my heart, and I saw him smiling in his sleep.
His body was snuggled up to mine, and I shared his warmth with my own.
Seeing him smile made me smile. Feeling him was... satisfying, to say in the least. Actual physical contact with another... I definitely needed it.
I wrapped my arm around him and pulled him in closer, and he groaned softly, nuzzling me and adjusting himself to get a little closer. His rear hooves crossed and tangled with my own.
His mane... It was so soft. It smelled great! How a wastelander pony such as himself managed to keep such a perfect cleanliness was beyond my comprehension.
I wanted more. Maybe it was my loneliness, or maybe I was starting to develop feelings for him...
I wanted to kiss him. Temptation was pushing me to do it. I had the chance to do it...
But I was a coward.
I gently stroked his mane and looked up at the stained ceiling.
We were still covered under the two layers of musty blankets that got mixed up sometime, in the middle of the night.
I closed my eyes and took in the moment.
For the first time on the surface, I felt comfort. Real comfort.
Maybe everything wasn't as fucked up, here on the surface, as I thought it was.
I patted the top of his head gently for a bit, until I attempted to fall back asleep again. We all needed a little more rest, it seemed.
I had noticed Fluky was out like a light, in the blanket fort she had made on the floor, which was held up by furniture. I made sure to get her a lot more blankets and pillows, so she could build it. It made me want to go back to being a colt, again. It looked fun.
She had put up a cardboard sign in front of the entrance, which read in big, black, bold letters, "No Robutts Allowed!"
The 'e' was backwards.
I was surprised Para didn't try making one, himself. He seemed like the type to do something like that.
I soon dozed off, letting sleep take me once more.


(((((((◉)))))))


I felt something soft, yet violent, strike me in the face, waking me up from what was a nice sleep. I sat up in a hurry and shook my head, looking around after. Fluky was on her back, laughing hysterically. Actually laughing! That was wonderful!
I looked to the other side of the bed, and saw Para holding the corner of his pillow between his teeth, smiling, before he smacked it against my head again.
"Hey, cut that out!" Ashamed to say, I laughed a little myself.
I knew Fluky was laughing at my expense, but it was so nice to hear her laugh. I let her have this. It was the least I could do for her, so far.
I got up from the mattress as he threw another swing at my head, which I ended up shaking before I fell on my side. He hit pretty hard, and I was starting to get dizzy.
"Oh yeah?" I got back up and bit down on the corner of my pillow, swinging it at him. It struck his face.
He shook his head and took a few steps back, trying to recover from my blow.
Then I felt a pillow smack the back of my head, knocking me forward, causing me to fall off the bed and land on my face.
Now that hurt.
Fluky burst into laughter even more than she was earlier, and when I recovered, I saw her rolling around on the floor, unable to contain herself.
I smiled and rubbed the back of my head. Somehow she hit harder than Para did. I looked down at the pillow to see it became nothing more than a pile of feathers.
I felt a bit woozy, so I sat down and chuckled softly. "Ya got me." I spoke quietly. "I've been vanquished by the great and powerful Fluky."
She looked at me and, getting up on all fours, she... she smiled at me. It was faint, but it was there. "I got you good." She pointed a hoof at me.
I nodded and giggled. "Yeah. That you did."
Another pillow smacked me in the back of the head, causing me to face plant in the mattress.
Fluky burst into laughter once more.
Okay, my brain was starting to feel rattled now.
I turned to Para to see him grinning with the pillow in his mouth. I grabbed the other end with my teeth and pulled.
He pulled back harder, knocking me forward.
I laid there on my stomach, the corner of pillow still between my clenched teeth as I groaned in defeat.
Damn, I was weak, compared to these two. Even a filly beat me in a pillow fight! Though, to be fair, I didn't want to hit her with anything. Even lightly and playfully, I felt it wasn't in my place to do so. She was just a kid, and I didn't want to hurt her anymore than I already...
Stop it, Charger... Don't think about that now...
I was just glad to hear and see her laughing. This little moment... This now... This was what we all needed.
Then, something unexpected happened.
The once heavy rain softened down just a little. Granted, it was still heavy, and it was still going to be rough to walk in, but I'd take what blessings I could. The rain subsided a bit? Fine by me. Meant I didn't have to walk in what the rain was, just a few seconds ago.
After all, it was the little things that mattered.
I got up, dropping the pillow, and looked at Fluky after she calmed down to see she was smiling still.
Para dropped the other end of the pillow in his mouth and smiled at me too.
I stretched my hooves out, popping my joints as I yawned and closed my eyes, then smiled at both of them after. "Well, I suppose we should have something to eat and hit the road."
Fluky nodded a little and took out a can of beans for herself.
Out of the selection this motel offered, I took out a can of mixed fruit, while Para took a can of peaches for himself.
Breakfast of champions.
Before long, after we finished our cans, we grabbed all our stuff and put it on.
I opened the door and looked outside. I didn't understand how or why the hostilities of this place left us alone. They didn't leave me alone when I was... by... myself...
... Oh...
I looked back at Fluky and Para to see them both booping each other. Fluky laughed, while Para just smiled.
There was something about both of them that made them blind to the forest... I already knew there was something about Fluky that kept them at bay. Her magic. That much was obvious.
But Para...? When I first met him, he was swinging in a hammock, by two of those horrifying trees, blasting 'What A Wonderful Trot' with a smile on his face! There was something about him that, when I started traveling with him, it affected me too...
But then... Why did they attack us outside the motel? If it wasn't for Fluky, we would have died.
Ugh! None of this made any sense!
I stepped outside, into the cold, wet rain.
My leg felt fine before I stepped out. Sure, there was still that limp, and I wasn't going to be running marathons any time soon, but now, with the rain pounding on it and feeling the sting behind each drop, it made matters worse for me. Pour salt in the wound why don't you...
They both trotted up to both sides of me, which caught me by surprise. I looked down at Fluky, and she looked back up at me with that faint smile.
"I still don't like you all that much..." She stated. "But I'm willing to tolerate you, for the time being."
I nodded and smiled back just a little. "Fair enough." I looked ahead at the trail that moved down to the south.
We got out of the parking lot, and proceeded our course out of Saddle.


(((((((◉)))))))


... Until there was a fork in the path, and the trail ahead turned right a ways away.
The three of us stopped and looked over our options. The left path went left, respectively. The right one seemed to circle around and turn back.
"Hey, Flukes..."
"Don't call me that."
I kept my eyes on the three paths as I continued. "Did you ever hear anything about there being more than one path...?"
"No..." She looked at each one individually. "The travel ponies only spoke of one path... Never mentioned others, before."
The trees were sentient, of course. What if all this was a way to throw us off track. It was clear they were all watching us. Er... Listening to us, I mean. I had doubts they could actually see.
They could have very easily made dummy trails, so long as it didn't interfere with the real path, right?
... Right...?
I still had no idea why they couldn't mess with the real one. Again, I had theories, but I had no real answers to those theories.
Even then, the most obvious route was straight ahead. We were past all those high towers, and this area was entirely new to me.
I started walking forward, through the path in the middle, and the others followed; Para still walking with a little dance in his movement, like he always did.
"Should we just cut through the forest and make a b-line out of here?" I asked, looking ahead at our turn.
"I don't think it's a good idea." Fluky answered. "I heard there was a disaster over there, and a bunch of radiation or something filled the area."
"Right..." I muttered, before speaking up. "Detour it is."
Para turned up the volume on his radio a bit. It was astonishing that it still worked out here, in the rain. Water damage didn't seem to have an effect, even with the cracked casing and exposed, glowing, cylinder battery.
Music played through the rain as we trekked on the path, through the forest.
One hoof forward was a step closer out of Saddle.
I couldn't wait to see unaltered color again.
We turned where the path took us and kept going. I just hoped it led out of this chaotic place. I didn't want to be here anymore.
Saddle sucked.
> Channel 000.5; Address Unknown
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now what if I, the all powerful Three Dog, bow-wow-wow, were to tell you that somewhere right here in the Capital Wasteland, is a place with lots of trees?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Unfortunately, the path took another right turn, which meant we were being turned around in one giant circle, heading back to the dead town. The rain wasn't getting any harder than it already was, thank Celestia.
What I didn't thank was the agonizing stings and burns at my wound. I may as well have just been pouring salt over it, just by being out here.
And don't get me started on the rump rash...
Sigh...
This was going to take a lot longer than it needed to be.
A part of me wanted to risk cutting through the forest and walking until we reached the end of the killer trees, but if there was a problem, and we needed to run... Actually, I was screwed either way. But I at least had more chances of surviving on the path than I did in the forest... surrounded by all those icky trees...
Icky...? Oh no... My vocabulary was devolving! Para, what did you do to me!?
"An umbrella would have been nice..." I said softly behind my pained expression and clenched teeth. The rain was even starting to affect my rash. It hurt even more than it did without the rain.
"Oh wah." Fluky rolled her eyes. "What a baby. It's just rain." She paused, putting her hoof to her muzzle, thinking to herself. "Salty rain, but rain."
"I spent my entire life living underground until about a week and a half ago." I started, looking down at her. "My world consisted of steel walls, and my sky was a grey ceiling, so pardon me for not getting used to having water fall on me from my new sky. Plus, it's burning incredibly bad on both my flank and my leg."
She looked away and nickered softly. "Oh salty rain... How I love you."
"You enjoy my pain, I take it." I glared.
She looked back at me with a faint smile. "Mhm."
Para poked my shoulder, and when I looked over, he was pulling his hat up from over his eyes, smiling. "Can I have a candy cane?"
"Is that all you have to offer to this conversation?" I raised a brow, tilting my head to my right a little.
"Condensation? Who's Condensation? Why would I offer them something if I don't know them? You're making stuff up." He pointed an accusing hoof at me. "That's not even a word."
"It's a word." Fluky and I both said in unison.
I couldn't help but smile a little at that.
"Both of you are silly ponies." He smirked, then reiterated. "Can I have a candy cane?"
I released a resigned sigh and dug into my pocket. "What flavor would you like?"
"Sparkle Cola!" He grinned.
I gazed into the bag after pulling it out, but none of them had any labels...
"Uh..." I stopped dead in my tracks, looking down at the sack full of 'treasure.' "I don't know which one that would be..."
Para pressed his forehead against mine, looking down into the bag. "Hm..." He rubbed his chin with a hoof. "We're in a bit of a pickle." He gasped as he continued to peer inside. "What if they made pickle flavored candy canes?"
"Ew!" Fluky looked in the bag next, pressing the top of her head against both of us. "That's gross, Para!"
"Have to agree with the filly on this one." I said. "That is the worst idea in the history of ideas." Looking up at them without moving my head, I continued. "So why are we all huddled up like this?"
"I wanted a cane too." She admitted, smiling a little.
"I guess I'll just take... this one." Para dug his muzzle in and took an orange cane out. Or... I thought it was orange. Dull colors made things more challenging than I would have ever thought.
Fluky took a dark grey one out, and I put the bag back in my pocket and watched as they both removed the plastic wrappings of their treats.
Para got his in his mouth first. He seemed to be a master at doing things with his hooves... Shuffling cards, removing wrappers... What else could he do?
He froze with a look of absolute dread on his face, then spat the cane out.
"BLEGH!" He rubbed his hooves over his tongue repeatedly, in attempts to wipe the taste off.
His cane landed in a puddle on the ground, and he stared it down as he pointed a hoof at it. "That cane is rotten!"
"What?" I asked, looking at it in curiosity. "That doesn't make any sense, Para. I don't think canes can-"
"Evil cane." He interrupted. "Nasty!"
"Oh come on..." I rolled my eyes, getting ready to pick it up and taste it for myself. "It can't be that bad."
Famous last words... I've been wrong before.
One lick sent me tossing it back on the ground and spitting. "Yep, it's bad."
The two of them just stared at me in silence as I stood there, doing my best to not show the disgust on my face. I couldn't keep it in anymore, though... It was too much... The longer the taste resided on my tongue, the worse it got!
I eventually broke and spat in the puddle repeatedly, wiping my tongue with the tip of my hoof as I gagged. "Oh, it's horrible! It's like if cold medicine could grow mold!" I coughed and hacked and spat, but the taste wouldn't leave!
Fluky giggled uncontrollably as I freaked out over its flavor, and Para started shuddering and coughing. "Yucky!"
I looked at the filly with a disturbed expression etched on my face. "Well, what flavor did you get?" I pointed my hoof in her direction as I was about ready to dunk my muzzle into a puddle and start drinking. Hell, I bet mud tasted better than this.
She stuck it in her mouth after finishing removing the wrapper, then beamed at us. "Sparkle cola!"
My jaw dropped for a second, before I shook my head and spat once more. "Let's keep going." I started walking again, taking out the bag of canes and placing a green one in my mouth, after dealing with the removal process of the wrapper. Sour, sweet... Green apple. Much better than salty rain and orange candy canes combined.
Huh... I guess candy canes weren't that bad, after all...
Once that was gone, I washed the remaining flavor of the orange cane away with a bottle of Sparkle Cola.


(((((((◉)))))))


Throughout our journey, we had frequently heard the hissing of trees, but no matter how loud they were, they didn't bother us. I had no idea what triggered their aggressive nature. It seemed random... but there had to be something that caused them to freak out.
The music on Para's radio came to a close, and the DJ started speaking.
"I hate rain..."
A new song came on.
I looked over at the machine in his pocket with a raised brow. "Oh, is that all?"
"I was hoping to hear one of his adventures." Fluky stated. "We all hate rain, alright?" She threw her hooves in the air, looking up at the sky with a familiar glare she gave me many times before. "But the mean robutt is making us walk in it!"
"Aww, what's wrong, Flukes? I thought you loved the rain." I chuckled softly to myself, but that only earned me the same glare she was giving the sky a few seconds ago... and a kick to my hock, causing me to collapse.
Okay, ow...
"It's... for the greater good..." I pulled myself up and looked at her. "You should have grabbed a jacket when you had the chance." Despite the immense pain in my hindquarters, I smirked and patted her on the head.
She swiped a hoof at me, but missed entirely, now that my reflexes were kicking in. "No touching!"
I rolled my eyes and started to look ahead, until my eyes caught something in an alleyway between two buildings made of brick. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at it, expecting it to move and come at us, whatever it was. The distance between me and it had its appearance come out as a black lump, just lying there.
A body, perhaps?
No... No, that wouldn't make any sense. I hadn't spotted a single skeleton, or a bone for that matter, the entire time I was here.
So... scratch that off the list of possibilities.
"Robutt?"
I looked at the others to see they were looking back at me; Para smiling, and Fluky questioningly.
"Hold on." I said, warily making my way over to the object of interest.
The closer I got, the clearer the lump became. I only had to stop a few feet in front of it to figure out just what it was that lay here.
I grinned and looked back, waving the others over.
They stopped at my side, looking down at the wet, soggy lump before us.
"What is it?" Para asked.
I rolled my eyes and looked over. "Did you seriously just ask that?"
He nodded with a faint smile, and I sighed, looking back down at it with a much more satisfied smirk. "It's a duffel bag."
"Full of what?" Fluky asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Something good, I hope." I bit down on the rusty zipper, opened the compartment, spat out the horrible flavor of rust, and looked down. My hopes of survival just increased as I pulled out a double barreled, sawn-off shotgun with my mouth. If it wasn't full, I'd be grinning, laughing, and jumping around like a little filly in a candy store! It felt like Hearth's Warming!
"Gunz!" I said happily.
"Gums?" Para tilted his head. "Those aren't gums. Those are toys!" He beamed at me, and I gave an exasperated, muffled sigh, before turning to Fluky.
"You good with a gun?"
She looked down at the selection. They were all smaller armaments such as pistols, sawn-offs, and even a few grenades! After a few seconds, she looked back up at me in worry. "Mommy and daddy always told me to not play with guns..."
"Circumstances have changed." I just realized I was pointing the gun at her, and I immediately tucked it into my saddle bag - which took a lot of effort and reach before I achieved my short term goal - then smiled apologetically at her. "Sorry about that..."
Her worried expression faded a little, and she nodded silently, before returning to the bag. "Are you sure it's okay...?"
"As long as you don't try shooting me." I laughed softly, but she didn't share it.
"No promises..." She muttered, before picking up a pistol. "I'f nefer shof a gunf beforef."
I laughed nervously as I looked at her, aiming the gun at me. "M-maybe I should take the gun, just until you know how to operate one."
She rolled her eyes, then spat it back into the bag. "It's uncomfortable having in my mouth, anyways."
I looked at Para. "What about you? Can you handle a gun?"
He shook his head. "I don't really like gum. I'll have a candy cane, though!"
I looked at him as if he solved a simple math question for the very first time, then turned back to the bag, zipping it up. I put the strap around my neck and started back for the path. The more guns we had, the better.
I pulled the sawn-off out of my bag - which took a lot more effort than it did putting in - and held it out to Para. "I need you to load this." He looked at me in confusion, and I thought about what I was asking Para to do. "Load it with... uhh..." Come on, Charger... What was it he called them again? Oh! Right. "Fat nuggets."
"Well, that's weird." He looked at me as if I were mentally disturbed, and I smiled sheepishly.
"I guess I'm just a... weird pony..."
He took the gun and snapped the barrel open with his hooves, but discovered that there were already two shells within its chamber. He looked back at me. "Someone beat me to it. Should I take these ones out?"
I shook my head quickly. "No. Ignore my previous request. It's fine the way it is."
He nodded, whipped the barrel upright to snap back in place, and gave it back. I slipped it into the collar of my jacket  this time, finding that it was a much more convenient spot for me to put it. That way, if we ran into trouble, all I had to do was turn my head to the right and pull out the gun, instead of trying to reach it from behind, towards my rear. A real holster for this would have sealed the deal. Sucks that wasn't included with the gift from the unknown.
Para's music stopped abruptly, and we all stopped and looked at the radio on his side.
"Ah darn..." Para said, frowning as he tapped the machine with his hoof a few times. "I'm not wall to wall, treetops tall, no more..."
Through the hissing of static, I made out a deep, systematic tone, speaking a series of... numbers?
"Wait." I said before he turned the volume down. The two of them looked at me, awaiting me to continue what I was going to say. "Hold on... I think I hear something." I took the radio, and to my surprise, Para didn't whine about it or tie my tail around my legs. I carefully adjusted the dial to the right, but it was becoming faint. I turned it left, and it started to clear up.
"-9821..." The channel went to static. Not the usual type that we just heard, but the white noise of a silent comms line. Not long after, it was invaded by three beeps, followed by three more beeps that lasted a bit longer than the former, and then three more beeps that sounded just like the first set. I immediately knew what this was...
It was morse code for 'SOS.'
"I am in desperate need of help. My stable is overrun, and the bottom floors are flooded." The pony behind the broadcast spoke in a calm manner, for someone that needed urgent help. "I have food, water, shelter, medical supplies, ammunition, and I can help, if you are in need of medical attention. I am the sole survivor of Stable 32. If you can hear this... If you can hear me... I need help. Everything is wrong... It's all wrong... Please... Hurry... Help me..."
The rest of the broadcast went to a song from way back when.
It started with a single guitar playing a soft, less-than-moderately paced note, which was soon followed by a slightly higher pitched stallion humming. Following the voice and the guitar was the notes of a piano.

Address unknown
Not even a trace of you
Oh, what I'd give
To see the pace of you

I was a fool to stay away
From you so long
I should have known there'd come a day, when you'd be gone

Address unknown
Oh, how could I be so blind?
To think that you
Would never be hard to find

From the place of your birth
To the ends of Equus
I've searched, only to find
Only to find
Address unknown

We all stood there, silent in the rain, listening to the song and looking at one another, until I spoke up towards the end of the song.
"Have any clue where Stable 32 is?"
Para shrugged, and Fluky looked clueless.
"Well..." She started. "I heard rumors of a stable somewhere in the city, but nopony knew where it was. Everyone was too scared to wander too far off the trail. I honestly thought it was a myth until now..."
When the song came to an end, the deep voice I heard earlier started again.
"ITERATION; 9887359822." The channel went quiet again, and the morse code started once more, followed by the broadcast of the survivor in 32... if they were even alive at this point. The iteration count was rather high... The chances of finding them still alive, and sane for that matter, was quite slim. But if there was ammo and food, which I knew we'd need a whole lot more of, then it was worth investigating.
So long as it was all still there, that is. Worse case scenario, we get to sleep out of the rain and cold.
... And away from the trees.
"I think we should try and find Stable 32." I said. "We definitely need the supplies, and-"
"And canes." Para added.
I narrowed my eyes at him, then looked back at Fluky. "Yes... Cause that's exactly what we need. More... candy canes..."
The song ended, and the next iteration ended on '9823.'
I shook my head. "If that pony is still alive, I'd like to help them with whatever is going on over there."
"So..." Fluky paused. "How are we going to find Stable 32?" She put a hoof to her muzzle, thinking to herself, though I knew sarcasm when I saw it. "I did mention that nopony could find it, right?"
Aaaand there came the snarky remark. Right on cue.
I sighed and looked around my surroundings. "Yeah... you did..." Then my mind jumped on an idea. "Do you know where the town hall would be? Surely they'd have records of 32's location."
"Uh..." She paused, this time actually thinking to herself. "Last I heard, it was still standing, but I don't know where it is."
I slumped, and she glared at me. "Hey, this is my first time out of Saddle, alright? So don't give me that!" She pointed a hoof at me.
I looked up at the grey, cloudy sky, then at the horizons. "Hm..." There had to be somethi...
Wait! That's it!
I pointed back to the bigger part of the city that held all the towers. There was a crane that was closer to us than the rest of the buildings, but it was still a bit of a walk back to where we came from. "I'll just climb the crane over there, and see if I can't find it that way!" I smiled nervously, trying my best to not give in to my recently discovered fear of heights. The more I looked at it, the harder it was for me to not break down from the idea of climbing it.
Fluky groaned out of irritation. Honestly, I felt her pain. I didn't want to go back, either. But Stable 32 sounded like a great deal for us. Plus, I was in desperate need of medical attention... My ass hurt like hell, and my leg was no better.
Even if there wasn't anypony left alive in there, the real medical supplies would be nice, and I had a bit of medical experience with patching up injuries, though that wasn't my profession. I knew I could do the basics myself, though, and I only had basic injuries.


(((((((◉)))))))


The route back, I had a sneaking suspicion we were being watched. I felt it in my gut... and I didn't think it was just the vegetation...
This felt like more.
Para and Fluky seemed completely oblivious to the feeling I had, so I just shrugged it off for the most part, but a part of me kept my guard up, in case something lunged out at us.
I missed my E.F.S...
We kept the channel playing, letting it run through its endless loop until its power source was ready to call it quits.
Morse. Message. Address Unknown. Iteration. Morse. Message. Address Unknown. Iteration. More. Message. Address Unknown. Iteration.
On and on it went, just like it had for years, presumably. I wasn't the best at math, as well as time, I'll admit, but the numbers it was giving off were a lot.
Oh, who was I kidding? The power wasn't going to go out any time soon. And that radio battery didn't seem to want to die for good, either.
After a nice, long journey through the pouring rain, cold winds, and hissing forest, we came to a stop at the construction site that held the crane in its perimeters.
It looked to me as if they were building another tower, before the bombs went off.
We had to wander off the path in order to get here, but fortunately, for all of us, the trees didn't seem to have an interest for the company of three. At least, not for now.
We stepped into the muddy compound and made our way to a small trailer that resembled an office.
After checking if the inside was clear, I held the door open for them, and they walked in, one by one. Fluky was first, Para second.
Flukes collapsed in a chair and sighed with relief, rubbing her hindquarters. Para shook his coat like a dog, spraying everything around him down with water, ourselves included.
"Ah, come on, Para!" I said, shielding my face with a hoof. Fluky grimaced as she did the same for herself.
He smiled at me after he stopped. "What? I want to get dry."
"There's other ways." I shook my head, smiling softly as I lowered my hoof. During my head shake, I caught a glimpse of something moving outside, through the window. I turned to look, but I wasn't able to make out its figure, before it flew from my field of view.
It left a trail of black smoke, which soon dissipated in a short span of a few seconds of it being made. In its trail of black, were hints of a blue, electric, glowing current.
"Did anypony else just... see that?" I looked back at them, pointing a hoof at the window.
"See what?" Para trotted over after setting his little bunny buddy cage down in a corner. He looked out, but seemed entirely clueless.
I sighed and put my hoof down after seeing Fluky staring at me as if I said something stupid. "Nothing." I smiled. "Please... both of you, stay here until I get back. I'll climb up and see if I can't find the town hall."
I put the duffel down, stepped out into the cold weather once more and closed the door behind me quickly. Looking back at the crane, I sighed, before hanging my head down and making my way there. "I can't believe I came up with this idea... What the hell was I thinking?" I muttered under my breath. "Oh yeah, sure! I'll go and climb the very high, metal structure just to find a stupid building, just so we can find the stable! Heights? What are those? That doesn't sound scary at all!" I grimaced and shook my head, closing my eyes and sighing a second time.
All of this was my idea... It was my idea to go check out the stable. It was my idea to go to the town hall and to find out where it would be. It was my idea to backtrack and climb the damn crane.
What was I even thinking?
I stopped at the base of the steel structure and looked up at the groaning, decaying metal of two centuries.
"Ohhhh sweet Celestia..." I whispered, closing my eyes as my vertigo set in to motion.
This was gonna be real good!
Okay... I did good to leave the duffel bag behind in the trailer. It would have weighed me down, and who knew how slippery those rungs were right now?
I pressed my cheek against the butt of the sawn-off for reassurance that I still had it with me.
Right... no time to lose...
I started my slow, careful climb to the top, making sure to get a secure hold of each and every rung as I did.
About half an hour passed, and I had only reached about halfway. Rain splashed against my coat violently; the wind howled and roared as it pushed against me, and the rusted steel creaked and groaned in protest for standing tall as long as it did, which only put the horrible thought of it collapsing while I was still up here in my head.
Something flew by at a startling speed, catching me off guard as I was reaching my good rear hoof up a step. I slipped, no thanks to the distraction, and now I was hanging off my two fores!
I screamed and held on for dear mercy! The wind knocked the rest of my body against the ladder a couple times as I hung there, trying to gain purchase beneath my rears. Each time I hit the ladder, it meant hitting my injury against a rung, and I winced and cried out each and every time.
Finally, after countless attempts of trying to get a hold of something, I recovered completely, and as I did, I hung onto the rung for dear life, panting heavily, which soon turned into a laugh under my panicked breath.
I... was alive.
I was alive!
Ha! Sweet royal sunbutt, I was alive!
I looked around in hopes to find whoever or whatever it was that had distracted me from my climb, but all I saw was cloud and city. I was pretty high up, and I could see a lot more than I could down there, but it still wasn't enough. Of course it wasn't...
I needed a better view, and some of the towers were blocking my view of a lot beyond them.
Of course they were...
I slowly resumed my ascension up the ladder.
Ladders had made it on my list of things I hated, now. Stairs? Oh no. I'll take stairs any day, now that I know that some sadistic asshole thought it was a great idea to make ladders! Stairs sounded like a precious commodity, and I was really wishing that I never had to climb a ladder ever again, after this.
I felt a powerful wind of something move past me, on my back. I turned to look, but only caught the electric, black cloud, which soon dissipated in the atmosphere.
There was another force of wind in front of me, but I turned to look, only to find that same electric trail of cloud.
"Oh, this isn't good..." I clung tight to the rung as I looked around more frantically. The rain had drenched my mane, which obscured my vision after forming a black curtain before my eyes. Damn it...
I used a hoof to swipe the hair to the side as best I could, and the first thing I was greeted with was a massive, smoky figure that resembled a bird, flying straight for me as it stretched its beak to unfathomable lengths!
Oh no... No, no! Not me! Go after somepony else!
I clung even tighter to the rung as it rammed into the metal-framed tower, causing it to protest to the immediate assault that was applied to it.
"No, no, NO, PLEASE, NO!" Okay, so I wailing... "NOT LIKE THIS!"
The bolts on the ladder started to give, and the structure around me was bending out of place.
"You bitch!" I screamed at it as it tried reaching its beak to me. I got a better look at its white, glowing eyes, and I noticed they seemed to have the same properties of the rest of its smoky form. Wisps of white trailed off endlessly from them, before fading completely, about a few inches from the source.
The electricity didn't seem to put much of a current on the metal, thank Celestia. But damn it, it really needed to fuck off!
The smoke that emanated from its form was pretty toxic, and I was back to coughing violently and losing the air in my lungs, just like with the smoke things on the surface...
These seemed more advanced, though. For one, they were out during the day. From what I heard, the others couldn't do that.
It screeched in my face as it tried reaching out for me again, with intent to harm.
I kicked at it, but that only caused tremendous levels of pain to anything that it touched... including my bandaged wound...
I screamed, winced, and did my best to keep climbing up. That's all that mattered now. Just keep climbing and get away...
I had almost lost my grip on the rungs, no thanks to the pain that traveled through my legs and to my hooves and rear... among other sensitive areas... It was too much...
It climbed after me, but I didn't stop. I couldn't! I needed to keep pushing forward. Or... upward.
I couldn't even touch the beast! My rear hooves phased right through it when I attempted delivering a good kick to its face. That wasn't fair! Come on!
Stupid fucking wasteland! I HATE YOU SO MUCH!
No matter how fast I went up, it seemed to be catching up with me. That was to be expected. I was crippled. It wasn't, as far as I was aware.
That was it... I had it...
I bit down on the grip of my shotgun, spun my head around toward it, and squeezed the trigger with my tongue.
Click!
...
We both froze as I just hanged there on the ladder, looking absolutely dumbfounded and baffled with a gun in my mouth. Tiny hints of smoke emerged from both barrels.
"OH COME ON!" I shouted, dropping the gun from my mouth and letting it plummet down to the land below. It struck the frame, as well as the ladder, several dozen times before reaching its destination.
Well, there was no way it worked now...
It didn't really matter that I dropped it, anyways. Piece of shit was jammed and worthless as it was.
I quickly resumed my climb, but now, instead of full on chasing me, it seemed to be playing cat and mouse... and I was the mouse.
It tore the frame apart from one side and swiped at me in an almost taunting manner, before climbing up a little higher and doing the same steps over again. Though it never actually hit me, it was doing a great job at keeping me on edge... for a time.
After the fifth swing, after I slowed down and looked at it, it tore the frame open and stared back.
"Look..." I started. Goddesses, I hoped this worked... "I know I probably look like a nice, hot-blooded meal to you, but maybe we can find a peaceful resolution and talk this out? I don't want to hurt you, and you don't want to hurt me... I hope..." I smiled sheepishly. "Right...?" It continued to stare in ominous silence, and I shook my head. "Right..." I muttered under my breath. The route of reason didn't look to be doing a whole lot for me at the moment... "I'll totally forget any of this happened if we just part ways."
Was it just me, or was it... grinning?
Oh... Oh yes, it was definitely grinning... All those sharp teeth... Oh my...
Second after second, its mouth grew wider, and the more I watched, the more I felt my heart get ready to explode from fear itself.
Fight or flight, don't fail me now!
I started my ascension once more, breathing heavily, as I was fatigued from the close proximity of the beast.
"Climbing, climbing, climbing, climbing!" I kept saying in a panicked, out of breath tone.
My arms and legs were tired, my lungs were downright exhausted, and the head rush was... quite literally, a headache to deal with, but before I knew it, I was finally reaching the top.
The beast spread its wings and let go of the tower, plummeting down for a few seconds before flying back up and circling me like a hawk to its prey. It screamed through the air as its electric glow started to brighten up the dark and stormy skies. Lightning flashed underneath the massive clouds overhead in roots of white, and thunder joined in with the beast's bone chilling symphony.
I didn't stop. I couldn't. It was back to charging right at me!
My leg was aching, and I swore, I may have torn the scab open, cause I saw and felt blood leaking through the fresh sheeting around the injury.
No... No time for breaks! It was closing in faster and faster by the second!
For a second, I didn't believe I was going to make it... For a second, I thought that was it for me... I was almost entirely convinced of it.
But how many other times have I thought that out here?
With absolutely no more time to spare, I crawled up onto the metal grated catwalk, looking down as the beast swept past, continuing its horrifying screech.
The monster had disappeared above the clouds... leaving me be, I had hoped.
I stood up on all fours and carefully walked across the metal grating, towards the end, as I observed my surroundings. The monster was gone... for now. I at least had time to do what I came up here for.
I looked around in each direction, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find even a hint of a town hall...
And to top it all off, the rain was too thick to really see too far.
Great... just wonderful...
Another meaningless adventu...
The crane jolted, and I tensed up before falling to the floor.
"No. Just no..." I said, closing my eyes. "Stop. I'm not dealing with this..."
I waited for a few seconds, but all I could hear was the boom of thunder, the howling of wind, and the hissing of rain.
The crane remained still, and I looked around in search for the beast that lingered.
I turned in every direction, but it yet remained to be seen. Even its trail seemed to completely evade my perception.
Our game of cat and mouse continued, only I was in a slightly better position to play, this time.
The rain beat against me, and the wind swayed both my mane and tail to one side. Through each lightning strike, my shadow was cast on the steel surface of the catwalk as I glared in the distance, in search for my hunter.
So much for coming to terms with a truce.
The beast dived down to the crane and tore a fraction of the metal bars above me off with one pass.
Shrapnel rained down on me, causing me to cover my eyes with my hoof, before turning my head and looking behind me with that same hostile glare and gritted teeth.
"Bring it on..." I muttered under my breath, still fatigued from the smoke. At least I had stopped coughing... Though, my lungs were still burning.
As it came by for a second run, I turned my body to face it completely.
I knew I couldn't fight it. But maybe I could find a way around it... A way to best it... A way to beat it through its own actions... I just had to think...
Let's see... It was able to interact with the world and its surroundings, but nothing could interact with it...
... Well... Brainstorming over. I was fucked, pure and simple.
I couldn't think of anything that could possibly beat this thing.
Maybe a blow dryer, or a leafblower, but that's it... I didn't even have that on me.
I kept my eyes locked on to the creature's, ready for it to strike.
As it made another sweep down, stretching its talons out to grab me, I lunged forward, landing on my belly.
It passed by, unsuccessful of its goal, and knowing that its current form of approach would be a waste of time, it circled around and landed on the end, staring me down. Between the two of us was a comforting stretch of catwalk. It couldn't reach me where it was, and I... I didn't want to reach it. I was fine being as far away from it as possible.
It started walking forward, and I took steps back, until my backside... my sore backside... struck the small metal cabin that resembled the control room.
"MOVE!" A deep, male voice shouted from my left, and before I could turn to look, a leather-armored, black feathered griffin flew overhead, wielding a battle saddle with two built in cannons on each wing that looked big enough to weigh any pegasus down. I guess griffins were an exception. He seemed to handle it just fine.
The bird redirected its attention on the... well... new bird, and roared at him as he circled around and aimed his cannons down on the crane.
"I SAID MOVE!" He shouted once more, but looking down from where I came, I was gifted with the wonderful feeling of deep dread and the loss of hope.
Oh, and the irrational fear of heights. Can't forget that.
The ladder was torn to pieces, and then some.
I looked back to see the griffin fire a massive beam of light from each cannon as he glided down.
The beast shrieked as the energy washed over its form. It writhed in agony for several seconds. To my surprise, it was actually getting hurt!
It lunged at its new sworn enemy, but he took evasive action, ceasing fire as he circled around to its backside.
The shadow creature continued to shriek and stumble around, shaking its head aggressively, discovering with a few flaps of its wings and jumps, that it couldn't fly anymore.
It slammed against any bars that it hadn't already taken out in a disoriented state, mixed with rage.
Gradually, over time, its body started to vanish, smoke and all. It stared at me once more, ignoring what was happening to itself, and started to charge for me once again.
The crane started to shake and cry. I kept my ground as it came after me, but the platform was starting to tilt to one side. I started sliding closer to the ledge, and the monster was starting to have more difficulties getting to me as well. With its wings disabled, it wasn't as powerful and quick as it was earlier.
I looked down at the ground as I backed up toward the exterior wall of the cabin.
"Oh, I hate heights..." I muttered softly.
Another round of beams tore into the creature's back just before it could reach me, and a hole was torn through its chest. The beams continued from there and struck the catwalk before me, and then the supports below, making the tower lose its balance much faster than it was earlier.
The smoke was deteriorating faster, but it was still putting up a fight to take me down with it. I backed up towards the ledge and stopped. There was nowhere else to go but down... and I really didn't like the idea of that. If only this had been built with stairs... I was finding a whole new love for them. Anything but ladders... I was so wrong about how evil stairs were.
Just as the crane was ready to give up completely, and the bird was ready to lunge at me, the griffin swooped in and lifted me off my hooves, only to launch again.
I thrashed around in a panic, feeling like I was falling! Nothing was underneath my hooves but air, and that was more than enough to send me screaming.
"Cut it out!" The griffin ordered. "I'm saving your sorry ass!"
I did as he was told, but clung tight to his body as we flew away from the collapsing crane. The beast within was nothing more than a few wisps of black cloud, before the crane had fallen completely, leaving a great big cloud of dirt and debris in the construction yard. The trailer was still intact, thank Celestia... In fact, the crane was nowhere near hitting the trailer. I couldn't bear to have them die because of me... Too much blood was on my hooves as it was.
The griffin set me down on the roof of a neighboring tower and stepped back, glaring at me. "What the Hell is a surface pony doing in a place like this? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
I shuddered as I looked down at the forest-covered streets below, then looked up into his hazel eyes. "On the contrary, actually..." I stood up, but my hooves were shaking from the adrenaline. "I'm trying to escape this Celestia-forbidden place, but not without some supplies, first."
He laughed. "Supplies? Here? Good luck finding anything worth a damn. This place is a dump, and everything that hasn't already been taken, is broken."
"Well, good news for me then. I like fixing things." I smiled faintly, trying to ignore the fear that was set in my pounding heart.
He rolled his eyes and huffed. "Yeah, whatever. You owe me big time. I just fired 4 megaspell cannons at that abomination before it had pony on the menu... twice. Do you have any idea what that's going to do to me?"
"Uhhh..."
"Newsflash, kid! I have a higher risk of getting hard-to-remove tumors each time I fire this thing." He flapped his wings up a bit, showing the cannons. "And I just shortened my chances of survival, all because of your recklessness!"
"Me?" I glared back, pointing a hoof to my chest. "I didn't ask you to fire them! You did that yourself!" I pointed my hoof on the eighth word of my argument. "Wait..." I sat up straight and looked at him curiously. "Why are you using something so dangerous to begin with? Just use a regular gun."
"Did you crawl out of the ground or something? In case you haven't noticed, you can't kill a megaspell creature with with anything normal. You gotta fight fire with fire..." He put a claw to his beak, thinking to himself with a frown. "Or... megaspell with megaspell, in this case."
"Those... are megaspell creatures?" I looked back at the crane debris.
"What am I, a broken record?" He muttered. "YES, YOU DIMWIT! Pull your head out of your ass and listen to what I'm saying! I'm not gonna tell you again!"
I sighed and closed my eyes. "I'm glad you saved me... whoever you are... But why don't you just calm down?"
He took a deep lungful of air, then shook his head hard. "Alright... Well... where are you off to? Do you have any place in mind for supplies?"
Just like that? Huh... I didn't expect that to actually work. I knew griffins were naturally aggressive, judging by what I read about them, but for one to calm down, just like that? Odd...
"Uh..." I paused. "Yeah, I'm looking for the town hall."
He cocked his head to the side, raising a brow. "What for? There's nothing there but papers of a bygone era."
"I know. That's why I'm going there."
He looked at me, just like Fluky did whenever I spoke; as if I just said the stupidest thing that could be said in all of Equus.
"And... what, you're going to build a paper hat or something?"
Okay, now it was my turn to look at him as if he was the stupid one. "No... I'm trying to find Stable 32. If anything had its whereabouts, it'd be the town hall."
He looked at me for a few seconds, then shook his head, chuckling softly to himself.
"What?"
"Nothing." He lifted a talon to me. "I'm actually kind of impressed. You're smarter than I thought, for a surface pony."
"Uh..." I raised an eyebrow. "Thanks?"
He nodded. "I'll do you one better." With that, he turned around and pointed his talon to a patch of... oh.
... The palm trees I saw earlier, back in the apartment.
"Just head into the park over there. Can't miss it." He looked back at me and smiled sincerely. "A plus for thinking ahead, though. Not many do nowadays."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "For a griffin, you seemed to have changed your attitude rather quick."
He shrugged with a roll of his eyes. "I'm still not happy I had to use these bastards to save your hide, but... no point in living in constant anger. Gets me nowhere."
"Right..." I backed up a little, unsure of him. There was something off about his character... "Well, again, thanks for saving me. Do you think maybe you can get me back to the construction yard? I have to get back to my group."
"You mean the filly and the wingless pegasus?"
I raised an eyebrow at his response, to which he explained himself.
"I've been watching the three of you for some time, now."
"Why...?"
"Three ponies walking through a deadly forest that attacks anything that makes noise. Yet, there you are blasting music on a radio, and nothing is happening to any of you. The real question is 'why wouldn't I?'"
"Fair point..." I looked back down at the yard, and he started up again.
"Alright." He turned around. "Get on my back... And don't freak out this time."
I hesitantly did as he said, and we dived down to the ground upon take off. I clung tight around his neck, but after a series of chokes and gags, I loosened my grip a bit, grinning sheepishly.
"Sorry about that..." I whispered into his ear.
The rest of the trip back was made in silence, though that meant nothing, seeing as we were only a block away.
We landed next to the debris and I got off of him to discover that my arms and legs were shaking again. I hated heights... so much!
"Well, be more careful." The griffin said, looking at me. "If you can, avoid anything that moves that isn't any of your friends."
They weren't exactly my friends, but...
He started to take off again, but I raised a hoof. "Wait, where are you going?"
He gave me a puzzled look. "Away."
"Why? I mean... you could stick with me and the others for a bit. Safety in numbers, and all that."
He grimaced. "Yeah, I don't think so... I don't do teamwork." He spoke as if the sound of that last word disgusted him. "I saved you. That's that. Really, I shouldn't have even done that, but seeing as I was hired to take down the Shadow Pheonix... Well... two birds, one stone."
"Shadow Pheonix? That didn't look anything like a pheonix."
"It's just a name. Really, it looks more like a vulture."
"So... you were going to fire those guns, regardless if I was there or not. And you still blamed me for firing..."
"Yes, I know!" He interrupted. "Why do you think I calmed down so easily?" He paused, then sighed. "Maybe my good deed will pay off for helping you." He shrugged. "Maybe I'll get free medical or something, I don't know..." He paused again, narrowing his eyes at me. "Got any caps?"
"Wait, if you're doing good deeds just to get stuff out of it, I don't really think that's..."
"Point is, I don't do teamwork!" He shouted. "I showed you Stable 32. Have fun." Before I could reply, he took off for the skies within the blink of an eye.
I sighed and turned to the trailer. Fluky was staring at me through the window with a dropped jaw, and Para was just smiling at me through the window on the other end of the door.
I smiled sheepishly and stepped inside, tracking muddy hoofprints within.
The radio was still playing the SOS, and I walked in on the iteration.
"Who was that?" Fluky asked, pointing at the window pane.
"No idea, honestly." I answered. "He didn't give me a name, but he saved me from the crane." I paused, then added with some thought. "Don't make yourself known to any shadow birds... Seriously. Vicious things." I shuddered and looked back at the crane. "Are you two alright?"
"Yeah..." Fluky answered. "A bit shaken up, but I'll live..."
"I'm just fine!" Para said with a cheerful smile.
I nodded, and Fluky continued. "Did you see the town hall?"
I looked at her and shook my head. "No, but I know where 32 is, now. We don't need the town hall."
"Great!" Para jumped up with joy and a grin on his face. "Let's hit the road!"
"In a bit..." I 'laid' down on my stomach and sighed. When I say 'laid,' I really meant 'collapse' from quivering hooves. "I need to process what just happened..." I closed my eyes. "With a nice... long... nap..."


(((((((◉)))))))


When I awoke, the musty carpet around me was drenched in rain water that I had supplied with my own body. My stomach was wet, but the rest of me was less than damp.
I got up on three hooves and stretched, groaning as I did.
Para and Fluky were playing a card game, while the radio still played the SOS broadcast.
I could still hear the rain outside, which dampened my mood a bit. I had hoped that when I woke up, the storm would have finally cleared.
I limped towards the company of two and sat awkwardly on my haunches, watching their game. My leg still hurt, so I had a bit of trouble sitting properly... Not to mention the flank rash...
"So who's winning?"
Fluky pointed a hoof at Para without tearing her eyes away from her own hand. "He is."
He smiled a little as he looked at me. "Have a nice nap?"
"As nice a nap as I could have, out in the wasteland." I smirked.
Para looked back at his hand for a few seconds before setting it down, revealing what he had to everyone. A king and a queen.
"Soggy apples!" Fluky threw her hand down on the floor between the two of them and pouted. "You're always winning!" They landed face down, and so I only assumed that was a fold.
Para beamed at her and took every last card, stacked them neatly, before he put them in the small, black and white, decorated, cardboard box, to which he slipped into his jacket pocket. "10-18 to 32?" He looked at me with a smile as he put his hat on, adjusting it via the brim. I nodded in reply.
"10-18 to 32."


(((((((◉)))))))


Through the wet of the rain we walked... again... for the third time since I came here. Saying 'I'm tired of the rain' would be both needless and a huge understatement.
I think I was starting to catch a cold, too. My sinuses were starting to clog.
Para, on the other hoof, had finally turned down the volume of the broadcast that I imagined he had no intention of changing any time soon. I had heard it long enough, that I made note of each iteration, and by some psychological, super magical ability, predicted what the next number would end at.
Fluky was walking along the other side of Para this time, which meant avoiding me. I had noticed her catch a few glimpses in my direction, however.
"Are we there yet?" Para whined.
"Does it look like we're there yet?" I glared at him. "Please save my brain cells the trouble, and don't ask stupid questions." I looked ahead again.
"Are we there yet?" At first, he looked - and sounded - impatient, but that quickly changed with a smile. "Also, can I have a cane?"
"No... and no!" I looked around, but the palm trees had been out of my sight for a while now. I was walking blindly in the direction that I thought they were at. I stopped, and the others followed my lead. "Besides... I think we're lost..." I muttered.
"Where is there?" Para cocked his head to the side.
I sighed and put my hoof to my face.
"I thought it was over there." Fluky pointed in the direction we had been going all along, and I groaned.
"Not you too..."
"If we keep walking, we'll get there." She continued. "But... dare I even go there? I heard spooky stories about that place. Creatures that'll tear right into you, so much as look at ya."
"Oh, I don't think I could bear that."
"Stop... please." I closed my eyes and hung my head.
"So, if we're here, and there is over there somewhere..." Para pointed ahead. "Then where is a shortcut to get there faster? Cause I wanna be there!" He stomped his hooves in a tantrum.
I swear, he was such a foal...
"I thought you said you couldn't bear it!" I shouted.
He calmed down, looked at me for a few seconds, smiled, then shrugged. "Eh. Sounds like a spooky house of jumpscares!" That smile became a grin. "And I didn't hear anything about there being a fare, so that seems more than fair to me. Better be free, with all this walking in the rain." He flicked a hoof forward, and rain drops launched forward, only for more to take their place on said hoof.
"Okay, you know what..." I started walking forward again. "It just feels to me like this place is a lot farther than it looked. I think we might have passed it."
"And so the question remains..." He rubbed his chin with a hoof as he looked ahead in contemplation. "Where... is there?"
I groaned and rolled my eyes. "Stop."
"Could it be over there somewhere?" Fluky asked.
"Stop it. Seriously."
"No, I'm being serious!"
I looked at her to see she was pointing to our right. I looked over to see the umbrella-like tops of palm trees, and I grinned.
"Yep, that's it!" I looked back at her and raised a hoof. "Score one for Fluky!"
She looked at me skeptically, then backed up. "You still don't get it, do you?"
I frowned.
"We're not friends... and we never will be." She and Para started down an alleyway, towards our destination.
Through the trees.
I sighed and hung my head again, following in their hoofsteps.
"Hey..." Para whispered, looking back at me as he slowed down a bit, until catching my pace at my side. "I have a question..."
I looked at him and smiled faintly. "Yeah? What is it, Para?"
"I've been thinking about it for a long time now, and... It's crazy to think about... Ponies might make fun of me for it, so keep this a secret, but..." He paused and looked around, then moved in closer. "Do you think unicorns exist...?"
...
......
That's it. My brain cells were now murdering each other. Mental genocide was happening in my squishy thought noodle. I swear, I could feel myself get stupider just by hearing what he had to say!


(((((((◉)))))))


At the end of the maze-like alley, we heard two voices. For a second, I mistook it for the trees, rain, or even the faint voice on the radio, but this sounded like an actual conversation between two individuals.
One was a scratchy and raspy female tone, and the other was that of a male.
I raised a hoof and whispered just loud enough for my party to hear. "Stop."
Thankfully, Fluky listened to me. She turned to me, then back to the end of the alley, as the voices were now a lot more noticeable.
Para was just bobbing his head to... Celestia knows what.
I shook my head and turned back to her. "You wait here." I continued in my whispery voice. "I'll go check it out."
She nodded and stuck by Para's side as I made my way to the edge of the alley. I peeked my head around the corner, and for a split second, before I retreated, I caught the glimpse of a red feathered, female griffin, and a dark blue stallion sitting around a bonfire, while seeking protection from the rain under a shanty roof.
The griffin wore spiked armor plating around her form. Her helmet rested before her, at her steel-clad talons.
The stallion wore leather padding, and I spotted a pistol holstered on his side. The griffin had a battle saddle, I think. It was hard to tell from here. I didn't see much of anything else on her that could be used as a weapon, but seeing as she may as well have been a weapon, that didn't really make me feel any better.
After I retreated, I stood there, looking at the ground as rain washed down my mane, and I listened to their conversation.
"Ha!" The stallion laughed. "That was a good one! Do you have any more stories like that?"
"How much time ya got?" The griffin asked.
"All the time in the world."
"Heh... Yeah, I got a few. Let me see..." There was a brief pause before she resumed. "Alright, so a couple years back, before I met Sting, me and a couple of my friends found a colt on the north side of the Vanhoover river. Wasn't that young, though. Maybe 18 or so. Anyways, after hanging out with him for a while, it started to get dark, so I built a fire. I shit you not, as soon as I lit the match, the kid screams, 'what are you doing!?' Knocks it right out of my talon."
"He knocked the match out of your claw? Why would he do that?"
"Shh! I'm telling a story!" The griffin scolded. "... So yeah, he knocks the match right out of my claw. I was so surprised, I swung and broke his nose. He said he was sorry and..." She laughed under her breath. "Get this... He said he was afraid of fire!"
"Ha! He was afraid of fire...?"
Oh dear... He was about as bad as Para...
"I just told you he was afraid of fire!" The griffin said in an agitated tone. "You keep interrupting me. It's irritating!" She sighed and took a deep breath of air. "Well... as soon as he told me that, I thought of something. I quickly apologized for hitting him and told him that it was nothing to be ashamed of. So that night, me and the others got him so drunk, so fast, he passed out within the hour. We then dragged him to the banks of the river, along with six or seven mattresses. Tied them all in a circle, with one in the middle."
"Mattresses?" The pony asked. "What did you need the mattresses for?"
She growled in anger. "Really!? Did you seriously just ask me that question? It's a goddess-damned story! All you have to do is sit and listen!" She cooled herself down, then resumed. "So... yeah. We tied all the mattresses together and put one in the middle, then put the kid on it. We doused all the mattresses with gas and lit them on fire after pushing him down into the water. We followed the burning mattresses down the river, laughing our asses off, waiting for the kid to wake up. That wasn't happening, so we threw rocks at him. After a couple hits, he wakes up. At this point, the flames are huge! Just imagine what that must have been like for him. Waking up, not knowing where he was, and all he sees is fire! He tries to get up, but can't get his hooves up on the soggy mattress. At this point, I'm laughing so hard, I practically wet myself."
"That's crazy! I bet he overcame his fear of heights then, eh?" He laughed softly. "Trial by fire."
"Nah, he never did. Turns out the kid couldn't swim." I peeked around the corner just in time to see her shrug. "Anyways, that's that."
The stallion rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Didn't see that... coming..."
They continued to sit around the fire, trying to keep warm. I didn't understand why they didn't just go in a building and rest there.
... Okay, I kind of understood. The trees could get pissed... I think... Not sure just yet. How they operated and reacted to certain things still confused my incredibly.
But... wait... The pair was talking loud enough for me to hear them, even through the rainfall. How were they not being attacked? How come none of us were being attacked?
UGH!
I mean... not that I value the idea of being attacked by a bunch of trees, but... I'd like answers!
She groaned. "Where the hell is the rest of the group? This is why I hate scout duty..." She stood up and stretched her wings, giving me a better look at her battle saddle. It wasn't anything as powerful as four megaspell cannons, but they still looked vicious. Well... At least I had confirmation of what I saw on her.
"Maybe they got lost?"
"Sting isn't a dumbass! He wouldn't just 'get lost.' Him and I have been here several times before. I just wanna loot that damn stable, already!"
Wait... Stable? They were here because of the stable, too?
"Well, he's probably just over there somewhere." The raider waved his hoof to the south without looking.
Oh... Fuck you! Don't start that again!
I hid behind the corner, thankful they didn't bother turning their head towards me.
"Or maybe he's right behind you..." Came a male voice... from behind. Before I could turn around, I felt a barrel press up against the back of my head.
"We have company!" He called out, and the barrel jabbed at me, making me move forward into the open.
The griffin looked to me coolly as I came to a stop, then at the pony behind me. "It's about time, Sting. I'm tired of sitting here, rubbing my clit all damn day. When are we going to strike?"
"In due time, Bloodwing." He spoke calmly. Para appeared on my left, and Fluky on my right. The three of us looked at each other. Even Para seemed a touch concerned. "Have patience."
"Who are the ponies?" The stallion asked, regarding us.
"We caught them in the alley way." I felt a pressure build up on my right side, and then I felt a soft whisper in my ear. "Don't you know it's rude to eavesdrop?"
Suddenly, I felt a shove from behind, forcing me to the wet pavement, on my stomach.
Bloodwing laughed, and before I could get up, her talon dug into my back.
"Oh, this one's ripe. Been a long time since I've seen meat this fresh."
I winced as the claws dug deeper. I felt my bags get lifted off me, as well as everything else, save for the jacket I wore.
"Let me go!" Fluky shouted. I turned to my right to see her struggling in a male griffin's grasp. He had a cocky smirk on his face, until she bit down on the grey feathers of his chest, and ripped out a mouthful, leaving behind a bald patch.
He yelped and threw her back down to the ground, glaring at her. "You bitch! I say we kill them all, right now!"
"Calm yourself." Sting spoke in his calm tone. "Your aggressive behavior is putting me in a dour mood."
I turned to Para as they stripped him of his gear. When the gun was taken, he fought with all his strength to get it back, but the butt of a rifle against his head stopped him completely.
"Leave them alone!" I shouted.
"Shut up!" Bloodwing applied more pressure to my back, and I groaned in pain behind clenched teeth.
I turned to Fluky. She was staring right at me with fear in her eyes. She had the same look she had when I first met her, cowering behind a couch...
She was pinned on her stomach, but her eyes stayed locked with mine. The hoof of the dark blue stallion was pressed down on her back.
I mouthed the words 'stay strong,' and she nodded with a small whimper.
One of the raiders took Para's radio and walked away with it as they turned the volume up.
"-ess unknown. Oh, how could I be so blind? To think that you would never be hard to find. From the place of your birth, to the ends of Equus. I've searched, only to find... Only to find... Address unkno-" The radio cut out abruptly, and the light within died.
"You know..." The stallion that towered over her said. "I gotta say, it's been a while since I've felt something as tight as she looks." I had noticed he was gazing down at her nether region, keeping her tail out of the way.
"Don't you dare!" I shouted, but that only earned me the honor of a set of claws digging deeper inside my back. That only made me scream louder. "LEAVE HER ALONE!" Deeper they went, and she started tearing them down gradually...
Fluky whimpered and tried to drag herself away, but again, it was to no avail.
A white coated unicorn with a black tux stepped into view, adjusting a tie. His mane was about as long as mine, but it was red with hints of black. He looked at me through green eyes and smirked. "Oh hush now. The more you fight, the more it will hurt."
I noticed that the rain seemed to fade out of existence around him before it could make contact with his body, therefore keeping him dry. He must have had a spell to keep him out of the weather.
There was no way out of this... not through violence, anyways...
Unlike that weird bird thing, he might have been interested in listening to reason.
"Sting." I said, wincing.
His eyes met mine, but he said nothing.
"That's your name, right?"
He nodded. "Correct."
"You're going to Stable 32." I stated matter of factly.
"Your point being?"
"We are too."
"Old news." He smiled, looking at Para's radio. "You were playing the broadcast. It's quite obvious where you were going. The question remains..." He looked at me again. "Your point being?"
I tried to get up, but Bloodwing kept me pinned with the claws that tore into my coat. "Well..." I winced. "We can help you get there, just as long as you let us go, afterwards."
He raised an eyebrow and looked me over coolly. "And why, pray tell, would you help a group of raiders?"
"Call it a stupid choice to stay alive." I looked into his eyes, realizing I had made a stupid choice to stay alive not too long ago. "We leave, you get what you want from 32, and everypony wins."
Fluky struggled as the stallion over her got himself into position. His excitement started to grow beneath his legs as he rubbed himself on her.
"Stop..." I said.
Sting looked over at him, then back at me. I looked at him in return.
"Please... tell him to stop. I'll help you. Just leave her alone. She's been through enough already..."
For a brief second, I saw sympathy in his eyes, and he looked back at the two. "That's enough, Blueshade."
Blueshade? Pfft... What kind of name was that?
I sighed with relief and looked at her as he got off, mumbling to himself about not having any fun.
Fluky quickly rolled over on her back; her tail covering her regions, as she breathed frantically, looking around in a panic.
"So, tell me..." Sting started. "Why would I keep the three of you alive? How do I know you won't try and kill us?"
"Because we want to survive." I answered calmly. "And we're outnumbered. You have guns, ammo, griffins, armor. Me? I have a filly and a delusional stallion with a fixation on candy canes."
"Then what use are you?"
"I'm an engineer and a repair pony, back where I'm from. I can help you get into rooms that are terminal-locked, or disable any alarms."
"And where are you from?"
"The Steel Rangers..." I looked down, and he smiled sincerely.
"Where?"
"Back in..." I paused. I knew why he was asking... I may have hated them, but... I couldn't do that to them. I had no idea how strong this pony was, or how many worked for him. I sighed and looked up at him. "Hoofington... I came from Hoofington. My chapter was split up after the HMS Celestia blew up."
He regarded me for a few seconds, before nodding. "Well, your talents will be much needed, where we're going." He nodded to Bloodwing, and she pulled her claws out of my back. I gasped, winced, then shuddered. I was definitely bleeding... but there was nothing I could do about that right now. "You and your friends can come with us, but don't expect to get your stuff back, and don't expect anything from this run." He regarded Para's little buddy with a raised eyebrow. "And what is that?"
"It's a bunny." I stated. "Mechanical bunny, but..."
He looked at me questioningly, then turned to the raider that had it in his possession. "Leave it behind. It'll only slow us down."
The raider dropped the cage on its side and laughed softly to himself as it recovered from being tossed around.
One of the ponies looked through my saddle bags, and his eyes got wide. "Damn... Someone's been stockpiling." He grinned and started loading the .357s into the gun that levitated before him, via his magic. He looked through the other pouch and raised an eyebrow, looking up at me afterwards. "Seriously? A memory orb? Earth ponies can't access these, dumbass."
Memory orb? Wait, what's a memory orb?
He put the flaps over the two bags and put them on.
"Come on!" Bloodwing forced Fluky back on her hooves and pushed her against me. "I've waited too long for this!"
Para was pushed against my other side. "No separating." The raider with my stuff said. "The three of you stay together, or I'll shoot. Say anything, you die. Make any noise, you die. Now move it."
Bloodwing and Sting stuck side by side as we moved through the forest, towards the palm trees in the distance. Everyone went quiet, as if now it became dangerous to make noise.
"Are you okay, Fluky?" I whispered as low as I could, but my voice was drowned out by the rain. I tapped her shoulder, and she looked up at me from the ground. I mouthed the words, and she looked back down, giving a slight nod.
I looked at Para and nudged him. He looked back, and I mouthed the words 'are you okay?'
He nodded, though he wasn't smiling. He rubbed the back of his head and looked down again. Blood had trickled through his mane and stained his coat. He looked like he was about ready to pass out...
We stopped at the open, black metal gate of what was once a park. On both ends of said gate, were brick walls, and the space within the park was littered in various plant life. Green plant life! Lots and lots of green! They didn't look like the others I've seen, either! They looked normal!
Sting looked to his group, raised a hoof, mouthed the word 'stay,' then made his way past the gate. He stopped on the other end and looked around for a few seconds, before levitating a rock with his magic and banging it against a rusted bench. The clangs of rock meeting metal echoed, and he made sure to stay a few dozen feet away from the bench as he waited. He let the rock drop out of his telekinetic grasp as he stood there in silence.
Everyone watched, expecting something to happen.
He turned around to his group of eight, not including us, with a smile, and waved them over. We all moved as one unit through the gate.
Sting nodded pleasantly. "Looks like it's safe to talk, here."
"Nice to finally see color, again." Bloodwing said, looking around at the nature around us. "So, when are we getting to the stable? I wanna get my claws bloody." She grinned and looked at me. I guess I was her favorite...
"Patience, love." Sting put his hoof underneath her chin, looking into her eyes with a loving and caring smile. "You'll get as you wish, in due time."
Well, that was unsettling.
He kissed her passionately, and she accepted his loving embrace; tongue meeting his. He broke it after several seconds of them having fun, and looked to the rest. "Carry on." He started forward, and the group, along with us, followed.
About three minutes passed of venturing through the tropical/mainland forest, until we came across a lake with water as clear as ever. The rain would have made it salty by now, unfortunately. Otherwise, I would have dived right in and started chugging. I was getting really thirsty and the rain water wasn't enough.
"Oh thank fuck!" The unicorn with my equipment said. "Water! Fresh, fulfilling water!" He dropped all his stuff, along with mine, and ran for it.
"Wait!" Bloodwing shouted. "We don't know if it's..."
He jumped in and disappeared beneath the surface for a few seconds, before coming back up and smiling. He collected some water in his mouth and spat it out in a fountain. "Fuck the rain! This feels great!"
Bloodwing rolled her eyes and looked away. "You're an idiot..."
He started drinking a bit and swam around.
Sting sighed as he put his hoof over his face. "We don't have time for this. Put your armor back on, and let's go. My dearest is growing impatient, and so am I, for that matter."
He sighed and started swimming back to shore. "Alright, alright... The water's getting a bit cold, anyways..." He put his armor back on, grabbed our stuff, and continued on.
For a while, the trip was silent. No one had anything to say, and I didn't want to say anything.
The raider with my stuff stopped and froze, looking down at the ground. "O-Oh..."
Bloodwing turned around and looked at him. "What is it now?" She asked in a spiteful tone.
"I don't... don't feel so good..." He put his hoof to his chest and groaned. "Mah th... mah thr..." He put his hoof over his throat and opened his mouth again, but found he couldn't speak. He started to stumble to the left, and then the right, before falling to the ground; his eyes wandering off in two different directions. He breathed hard and deep, as if he were struggling for air.
He reached his hoof out for Sting and barely managed to mouth the word 'help,' before his limb collapsed.
Everyone watched as he laid there, just fighting to get a single breath out.
But he couldn't... His body had shut down, and his eyes grew distant...
"Hm..." Sting nudged his limp body. "Interesting." He turned to Bloodwing. "Something in the water, perhaps?"
"Well, at least there's a silver lining. Now we know." She smirked and looked at one of the other raiders. "Grab his stuff and let's go."
"I bet you all have such wonderful smiles..." Para said in a slightly deepened tone, catching me and everypony else off guard. I looked at him to see the color of his eyes were slightly faded.
"Whatever, freak." The raider said as he passed by to get the corpse's gear.
It didn't take long for us to get on the move again.
During our resumed trip to 32, the radio had turned on by pure happenstance. I was looking at it when it did, and no one had touched it.
"I have some very urgent news!" The DJ pony spoke. "Mr. Happy has been spotted near stable 32. I repeat, Happy has been spotted near..." Static took over the signal for a few seconds, just before the radio was shut off again.
"Happy?" One of the raiders looked around. "Oh no... I'm not dealing with that psychopath again! I thought he was killed!"
"What's he even doing here?" Another asked. "I thought he was around the Hoofington area when he died! How can he even be alive!? Guys, this is a bad ide-"
"Shut it!" Bloodwing shouted, turning around and scratching his hide with her metal talons. He fell back and screamed in agony as blood spilled on the muddy ground he laid on. The cuts went deep... Too deep to just ignore... but no one was helping him. She continued on without so much as a single care in the world. "We're here, we're getting what we came for, and this 'Mr. Happy' can go fuck himself. I don't care who he is, he's just a person! Now stop wetting yourselves and let's fucking go already!"
"What did you say?" The raider with Para's radio asked Sting.
"What?" He looked back at him. "I didn't say anything."
"I could have sworn you said something..." He rubbed his hoof over his ear and shook his head. "Probably just my imagination... Let's go." Sting and Bloodwing both looked at him in question, then at each other. She shrugged, and they started moving again, leaving the raider on the ground behind to let him bleed out.
Para lunged for the raider that held his stuff and tackled him, but that was as far as he got, before Bloodwing tore him from the raider and threw him to the muddy ground before me.
"What the hell is your problem!?" She glared down at him, then at me. She looked up at the raider as he got up, rubbing his head. "He's all yours." She smiled as she backed away.
"Wait!" I stepped over Para, my heart pounding. "Wait, don't! He won't do it again!"
"Move it!" He stomped his hooves down on Para's gut, making him cry out. "I'm gonna make it hurt!"
"Para!" I shouted, trying to get to the raider. Bloodwing held me back as I watched him get beaten before me.
"Shut up!" She punched me in the gut and laughed as I fell on my side, holding my stomach and wincing. I felt a gentle hoof on my arm, and when I opened my eyes, I saw Fluky looking into my own with worry. "Oh, enough with this..." She pushed Fluky back, rolled me over on my back, and put a claw against my neck, cutting into my coat. She started to drag it across my esophagus, but before she could, Sting spoke.
"Don't."
She looked back at him in confusion.
"If what he said is true... If he really was a Steel Ranger, we'll need him."
She groaned in irritation and took her claw away from my neck. "Alright, fine..." She looked at the raider that beat Para senseless with two bloody hooves. "Catch up when you're done with him. I'm going to the stable."
Sting looked to his group. "The rest of you, on us." He glanced down at Fluky and I. "And someone get them back on their hooves."
We were forced up and back to moving for the stable. Fluky was reunited with me again, and she wasn't leaving my side. She was practically glued to it.
For several minutes, my gut hurt, and there were a few times I felt like I was about ready to puke up anything that was in my stomach. But nothing ever came up.
That was fine. I couldn't stop moving, or Fluky would probably be...
A gunshot echoed throughout the forest, coming from behind. A single gunshot...
... Next...
I felt my legs give out from under me, and I laid there in the mud, shuddering under my shaky breath. I closed my eyes tight as my tear ducts burned and my heart ached.
Para was gone...
And it was my fault...
"Keep moving!" Bloodwing yelled, coming back to me and lifting me off the ground by the neck. She tightened her grip, crushing my wind pipe.
"Please..." Tears broke free as I struggled for breath. "No one else needs to get hurt..."
She laughed and threw me forward. I rolled and slid across the mud for a few feet, before coming to a halt at Sting's hooves. He looked down at me with a faint smile and whispered softly. "Get up, or I'll shoot your daughter."
My... daughter?
I rolled over on my stomach and forced myself to get back up on my hooves. The pain made me want to lie there and never get up... and the physical pain didn't help with that.
But Fluky's life depended on me...
"Boss!" The raider with my gear cocked his gun as he looked ahead. "I think we got company..."
Sting turned around, and Bloodwing joined his side. I looked ahead at four red, glowing dots, through the trees, which seemed to belong to a bulky figure of a pony; the dots being where their eyes would be.
"Sentinel." Sting looked to Bloodwing. "I guess they're expecting us..."
I had heard about Sentinels before. I had even requested one to be brought to me once, so I could study them and, at the time, hopefully, be able to reprogram it to work with the Steel Rangers. But I had never even seen one, up until now.
Another Sentinel followed it.
And another.
"Everyone, hide." Sting got behind a tree and stayed quiet, and pretty soon, everyone else was doing the same.
I went back to Fluky, helped her on her hooves, and hurried her to the treeline, where we both hid.
The sentinels had made a turn onto the path and rolled down steadily.
At that moment, an idea struck me... but it was dangerous...
"Fluky..." I whispered.
She looked up at me.
"On the count of three, I want you to follow me..."
"What...?"
"It's our only chance to get away... Are you with me...?"
She looked into my eyes for several moments, contemplating if this was the smartest move. It was all I could think of... Otherwise, the raiders would finish us off once we gave them what they wanted. They didn't need to say it. I already knew what they had planned for us.
She nodded firmly.
"Good..." I peeked around the trunk to see the Sentinels were just now passing by. I waited until the last one disappeared from my field of view, which was partially blocked by the trunk of the tree, then started counting. "One... Two..." I looked at her. She was waiting eagerly for the next number.
"THREE!" Fluky and I charged out of the tree line and ran across the path. I looked back to see Sting was already aiming a rifle at us, ready to pull the trigger. "OVER HERE!" I called out at the Sentinels. They turned around in unison and aimed their gatlings and missiles at us, and I charged out of there as fast as I could. Fluky was in the lead, and was just about to reach the treeline opposite from the one we came from.
Lasers of red sprayed wildly at us, while one of the raiders came out after us, firing wildly. He was a bad aim, but I received a few shots from the laser to my side, which was now burning about as bad as my rump rash did, if not worse.
"Get back here!" Blueshade shouted as ran after us.
Fluky made it past the treeline and took cover behind one.
"Blueshade, you frickin' moron!" Bloodwing flew out and aimed the barrels of her battle saddle at the three sentinels, which refocused their attention on the raiders.
I dove into the treeline and looked back to see Sting jump out and help attack the machines. Fluky was panting heavily as she pressed her back against the trunk of the tree next to me. She looked at me, and I nodded.
"Let's get out of-"
A sudden hissing of air and fire grew louder. I knew what that was...
"RUN!" I shouted and pushed Fluky away from the trunk, just before a missile struck the tree she was hiding behind a second ago. Chips of wood and bark flew in all directions. I was launched back from the explosion and thrown into a bush. Everything was muffled except for the sharp ringing in my ears, which didn't seem to want to go away. My hoof was aching like nothing I had ever felt before, and I wanted to scream. I might have been, but I couldn't tell. I couldn't hear. I couldn't get enough focus even for my own actions.
I felt a hoof press up against my chest, and opening my tear-drenched eyes, I saw Fluky looking down at me with terror as the battle continued behind us.
She touched my hoof with her own, and I felt myself cry out and jolt back. She retreated her hoof with an apologetic look before she shook her head and gave me more stern eyes. She pointed behind her, saying something. Shouting, by the looks of it.
I looked down at my hoof to see it was... oh Goddess...
I rolled over on my side and released whatever contents were in my stomach all over the bush.
Chips of wood had been lodged into my arm in several areas, but that wasn't the worst of it... Hooves weren't supposed to be bent that way... and twisted that way, for that matter. I was surprised it didn't even fall off!
I rolled over on my stomach and felt myself groan. Fluky tugged my not-so-fucked-up hoof as if she were an impatient filly that wanted to go home to hang out with her friends. I pulled it back and stood up on three hooves... Only, this time, it wasn't my two fores.
My hind leg still hurt to hell and back, but at least I could still walk with it, even though I'd rather I didn't. Each step sent me through one great big adventure of agony.
As if I wasn't in enough of that already...
I limped forward as fast as I could. Fluky stayed by my side, watching my six as we got farther from the battle. My vision was growing dark around the edges the more I went, but stopping didn't just mean dying. It meant Fluky was alone... and I couldn't have that.
I tripped over rocks and roots constantly, but kept forcing myself back up. My body was shaking, and tears burned at my eyes and washed down my cheeks. The darkness was closing in for the center of my vision, and I cried out in desperate attempts to keep going.
Fluky stopped and looked back, but I didn't. I couldn't. I needed to keep... going...
The ringing in my ears was finally fading, and I could hear things around me better, but it was still muffled.
"Stop." Fluky said, putting her hoof on my shoulder. "You need to stop..."
I looked at her and shook my head. "I have... to keep... going..."
"We're safe now..." She looked behind her one more time, and I found myself doing the same.
She was right. The battle could still be heard, but it was distant. I couldn't see the path anymore. Just trees... in every direction.
How far did we go...?
I sighed and collapsed under my own weight, exhausted.
Fluky sat on her haunches, by my side. A tension was building up between us. There was something she wanted to say, but her voice was caught in her throat.
I rolled over on my back and looked up at the leaves that sheltered us from the rainy sky. She looked down at the ground before her, dragging her hoof around in the mud in a circular motion.
"What's going on, Fluky?" I asked softly.
"What?" She looked at me, and I at her.
"There's something you want to say, isn't there?"
She sighed and hung her head down, covering her eyes with her green mane. "I don't... blame you..." She seemed almost embarrassed to admit it. "For Para, I mean..."
I looked back up at the sky and wiped my eyes with my good hoof. "Well, I do... It was my idea to come here... I didn't... I didn't expect..."
She put the tip of her hoof to my muzzle, silencing me. She looked deep into my eyes. "I don't blame you. You didn't... know." She took her hoof away and I sighed.
"How are you holding up? With what... happened back there, I mean."
"I'm fine. I didn't get hurt, so I'm fine... I didn't know what was going to happen to me, but... I was terrified... for some reason..." She took a deep breath and shuddered. "I don't want to talk about it, though..."
"Fair enough..."
She sat there, and I laid there; both of us in silence, listening to the rain try and breach the shelter of the leaves overhead.
"I'm sorry about your hoof." She said, breaking the three minute silence.
"You have nothing to be sorry about." I held my arm with my hoof gently. "I did something good for once." I looked at her with a faint smile, and she looked up in my eyes again. "I saved you."
She gave me a feeble smile in return. "Thank you..." She whispered, then cleared her throat, looking away. "I... I still don't like you all that much, but..." There was a pause in her voice. "I think that you really do mean well. You're not as bad as... you know... I made you out to be." She shuffled her hoof on the ground again. "This doesn't make us friends. And... and when we leave Saddle, I'm still going my own path. I hope you know that..."
I frowned and looked back up at the green above us. "I understand."
She nodded very faintly, before going to the tree trunk and getting comfy against it. "You should rest for a bit. It looks like you need it..."
I nodded and closed my eyes. Despite the pain, I had still managed to fall asleep.
... Or maybe I just passed out from said pain.


(((((((◉)))))))


When I awoke, the battle had ceased. There were no more explosions, no more laser fire, and no more shots of a rifle or pistol.
The rain had subsided a lot more, but it was still pretty persistent.
I had no guns, no armor, no food, and no medical supplies. All I had was a leather jacket and a filly that hated me a little less than she did earlier.
I looked over at her to see she had her head hung down. For a second, I thought she was sleeping, but she lifted her head not long after I turned mine.
"Ready?" She said softly.
I rolled over on my stomach and started to get up. "About as ready as I'll ever be..."
She quickly got up and helped me back on my hooves.
We didn't have to rush now, thankfully. My body couldn't take it. I was torn up, and everything still hurt. I had discovered that there were a lot of wooden shards all along my side, as well. I didn't dare take them out, though. If they had hit an artery, and I pulled them out...
We walked for about an hour and a half, before coming back to another part of the path. If I wasn't so beaten up, the forest would have probably made a nice shortcut. But in the end, it only made a good escape route.
Two Sentinels stood at the entrance of the large, thick, steel cogwheel of a door, which was left ajar. Plant life had grown around it over the years. By the looks of it, there was a lot more green within, as well.
A body laid before the machines, which seemed to be disabled, as their lights weren't glowing, and they were stationary.
On top of that, one of the arms on the one to the right had been ripped off, and the one on the left was tilting to the side with a missing wheel.
The body belonged to the raider that had my stuff. The corpse had been shot up and ripped apart; missiles and gatlings would have been my best guess.
Unfortunately, the duffel bag of guns was gone, and so were the saddle bags.
What wasn't taken was his armor, though it was shredded, so there was no real use to even take that.
I heard something rustling in the bush to our left, and I stepped back, expecting something to jump out at us.
The purple head of the pony that killed Para popped up over the bush, and his eyes met mine.
I glared at him, ready to strike, but he just grinned, turned around, and walked away calmly.
Completely clueless as to what just happened, I hesitantly turned to the yellow, tilted, aged '32' on the door. Chances were those who survived the Sentinel attack were already inside. I'd have to deal with that...
I looked at Fluky, and she looked back up at me with sad eyes.
"I guess this is it..." I patted her gently on the head, and to my surprise, she didn't back away.
We walked forward.
Together.
Into Stable 32.
The unknown address...
... Without Para...
> Channel 000.6; S.O.S. Response
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just ain't natural... The plants grow...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The steel walls of 32 were covered in a thick blanket of moss. Blades of grass stuck through the grated floor of the room, beyond the 24 inches of reinforced steel that would have once been considered the only thing keeping the inhabitants of 32 alive.
Roots and vines dangled from the ceiling, which would have had me running, had they been hissing. But these ones were silent, and they weren't moving. That was good enough for me.
I found myself holding my breath, after I found them to be normal, then exhaled with relief, before continuing on my way. Fluky stayed by my side; just as wary as I was, I had noticed.
The lights that weren't already torn from the ceiling or shattered were either flickering uncontrollably, or just weren't doing anything. Some were even dangling, all while casting our shadow on the floor.
Even then, the ones that showed a hint that the power was still working were quite dim, even when they did light up for a brief second.
That was definitely going to be troublesome on my sight, and Fluky's... Especially with the raiders still wandering about, seeing what they could take... and kill.
The intercom was crackling, but I caught the faint sign of a message through all the crude interruptions that communicable technology had to offer.
Flaws...
I approached it silently and tried to listen to what the message was. I had doubts that I'd get the full thing, but I'd at least try to put the scrambled mess together to try and get the most of it.
"-sperate need of-" Chhk! "-ors are floo-" Fzzt! "-munition-" I heard an alarm blaring in the background, during what little I could hear of the message. "-sole survivor of-" Static had decided to take up the rest of it, but I didn't need to hear the rest to find out what the message was. I had heard it plenty times before, save for the alarm. The heavy downpour outside had canceled out that noise.
One final part came in, before the intercom gave up completely, and let the static take over once more.
"Help me..."
"If you're still alive, I'll do my best..." I spoke softly, staring at the intercom before me.
I felt eyes on me, and I discovered whose, after looking down at Fluky. She gave me a single nod of her head and started for the door on the other end of the room. It remained open, considering a root had grown through its passage and laid along the floor. The other side, beyond the door, looked as if it led to a corridor.
I caught up with her, and just like when we stepped past the door that was marked '32,' we stuck by each other's side.
We stepped into the next room, and despite the dim, orange lighting, we didn't have to deal with the strobe lights at the stable entrance, which put a lot of ease on my sight.
Roots, flowers, and grass grew from a field of moss that stretched along the corridor for a bit of ways. Where moss ended, dirt began, and through that, floral life looked to grow stronger and healthier than the life that arose from said moss. Even then, the plants from the moss looked fairly normal. Everything in here looked just like the flora I read about in books... only, they were in gardens. Not underground bomb shelters.
Something in my gut was screaming at me to get out of there. That whatever was here, it was best left undiscovered.
But... well... Curiosity killed the cat.
I really hoped that wasn't going to be the case, here.
We had already sacrificed the life of a pony to get here... I... I didn't want Para's death to be in vain... It didn't feel right...
"Fluky." I looked down at her, and she looked back up at me. "I think maybe I should go the rest of the way on my own. I don't think it's safe for you."
She frowned. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
I looked down the corridor, all the way down to the end, where it turned left. "I couldn't promise Para's safety... I can't promise yours, either. In the end, it's your choice, but I'm asking that you think about this carefully..." I looked back down at her. "Are you sure you want to come with me?"
She glanced down the same stretch of corridor, then back to me with a sad smile. "I'm a tough girl. I'll get through it."
I gave a single nod in reply. "I sure hope so..." I murmured under my breath, before continuing on.
For a second, I heard a voice at the far end, making me stop dead in my tracks as I stared ahead; my heart pounding in my chest.
Then came the hissing of static and the crackling of a malfunctioning system.
It wasn't just one intercom that was playing the message from earlier. It seemed to be the entire first floor of the stable, though most of the speakers and intercoms here were busted... thankfully. Otherwise, this would have just been another headache to deal with. Plus, I wanted to keep my ears open for any of the raiders, so that we could have enough time to find someplace to hide.
Without weapons or armor, I didn't stand a chance against anything right now.
"Watch my six, Flukes..." I said softly as we continued forward.
"Watch your... what?" She raised a brow. "Also, what have I said about calling me that?"
I shook my head and sighed. "Keep an eye on our rear. Make sure nothing is sneaking up behind us."
She nodded. "Got it."
We kept at a slow, cautious pace, and just as we were about to turn the corner, Fluky pressed her hoof into my side, causing me to wince and look over with annoyance. She immediately took her hoof away with an apologetic look, then looked down before her.
"What's that?" She asked.
I observed a variety of metal scraps, and picked up a burnt out motherboard and a thin, metal tube. I looked up at an empty, crackling socket in the ceiling, and that's when I knew what we were going to have to deal with.
"Turret..." I muttered, dropping the contents back down on the floor. "Sentry turret." I looked down at her with worried eyes. "Be vigilant. Try not to wander."
She quietly nodded, and I peeked around the corner to be greeted by another long stretch of corridor. At the end was a set of stairs that descended further into the stable. There were four doors on each side of the hall.
I didn't see anything that posed a threat, thus far, so I signaled Fluky to stay, stepped out into the open, and waited a few seconds.
Nothing beeped, clicked, or whirred, and I wasn't shot yet, so that had to count for something.
I nodded to Fluky, and together, we ventured down the new corridor, until we reached the first two doors. I tried opening both, but they seemed to be jammed.
Along the way, I tried the others.
The left door of the second set had succumbed to the vegetation over the last two centuries, and I couldn't find a way of going in there, even if I wanted to. The right door was jammed, just like the first two.
The left door on the third row didn't appear to be jammed, by my surprise.
But it was locked...
Sigh...
The right, however, was unlocked and unjammed, but upon it opening, all I was greeted with was a wall of dirt, rocks, and roots.
I shook my head in annoyance and continued on to the final set of doors.
The left was unlocked, unjammed, and didn't have a wall of dirt to disappoint me.
It led to a dimly lit maintenance closet, filled with a large variety of metal scraps. There was a series of tools that was secured in a thick, rolled up, black fabric on a shelf - which, admittedly, made my eyes light up with joy - a few busted radios, which rested next to the tools on the third shelf, and some hooflockers, which resided in the corner of the room.
I snatched the set of tools and discovered that there was a strap just big enough to fit around my chest. I wasted no time wrapping the strap around me and moved on to the hooflockers.
Inside the first one was nothing more than electronic scraps. Wires here, circuit boards there. By the looks of it, they were beyond fried, so nothing really fascinated me here. I moved on to the other locker. Chances were it was just the same as the first one, but it was still worth a look, either way.
I opened it, expecting nothing more than trash. Instead, I was greeted with a set of black and blue Stable-Tec security barding, a helmet with a protective visor that covered the upper half of a ponies facial features, a baton, and a 10 millimeter pistol with a box of ammo and two spare clips!
"Uh..." I heard Fluky say, but I didn't bother looking over. Finally, her hoof caught my attention, once she waved it in front of my eyes. "You okay there, Robutt?"
I blinked and looked at her, then closed my mouth and wiped away the drool that had been dripping from my bottom lip. "Oh, I'm just fine." I smirked, then grabbed the helmet and slipped it over my head.
I removed the leather jacket and slipped into the barding that bared the mark '32.' I'd have given Fluky the leather jacket, but she was far too small for it. It was loose, even on me. There was no way it was going to fit her.
I looked back in to take the baton and ten mil, but something else had caught my eye.
A folded note.
I blinked, then calmly reached out for it. I was curious what it had to say... or who wrote it, for that matter.
I unfolded it and started reading.

The overmare doesn't know what she's doing. I knew from the start that opening that mine was a big mistake. First, we turn from a medical station to a goddess-damned production line, and now we have... whatever the fuck these  things are, wandering the damn stable and killing everyone. She needs to pay with her blood. Coward is hiding in her office, while everyone else is getting eaten alive and screaming. She keeps four guards with her. All of them are inside the office.
I managed to sneak some stuff out of the armory, during the confusion. Full set of security armor, 10 millimeter pistol, box of ammo, two extra clips, baton. If you can, try and make it look like an accident. Use some tools to make something burst or something, I don't know... If you take the security route, make sure you look the part, and don't let anyone recognize you. If you can, by any chance, lure the guards out, that would be the most advised option, in my book. I like to see it as taking the moral high ground. I'd do this myself, but we both know what's happening to me, and I'm too weak to fight at this point...
Remember. Try not to kill anyone else. Nopony else needs to die.
Just the one that started this whole mess. - O

Looked like whoever was going to assassinate the overmare never got around to it, seeing as all the equipment was still here.
And what was this about a mine?
I had a new series of questions popping up in my head, that I could only hope I'd get the answers to, for the sake of satisfying my own curiosity. This seemed a little more promising than my former experiences with the fragmented past, when it came to getting answers.
I dropped the note, bit down on the handle of the baton, and dropped it in front of Fluky. "Let's start you off with something simple."
She looked up at me with a raised brow and a mild frown. "You want me to get closer to danger?"
I shook my head. "No. But if you find yourself cornered, I want you to use it. Don't be merciful... The raiders won't give you the same courtesy."
"Sooo..." She paused, regarding me. "You want me to be you?"
I sighed and rolled my eyes, before giving her a disapproving look.
"I'm kidding." She stated simply. "Thanks, Robutt." With that, she closed her eyes. Her horn started to light up, and that same, yellow aura surrounded the baton. The weapon twitched a few times before gradually raising off the ground by a few inches. She groaned and winced in desperate attempts to wield it telekinetically. Tears escaped her eyes as she fought to keep it under control. However, it seemed that the longer and harder she tried, the weaker her grip became.
It finally came down to her horn flickering a few times, along with the light around the baton, before it fell against the hard, steel floor with a metal clang that had me worried that we may have alerted our presence.
She sighed and hung her head down in defeat as she took large gulps of air into her lungs. Seconds passed, and she finally opened her eyes again. "I'm a joke..." She muttered under her breath.
"It takes time, Fluky." I said with a reassuring smile. "Equestria wasn't built in a day, you know."
"It was destroyed in one." She looked up at me with sad eyes, which soon became stern. "You're an Earth pony. What do you know about magic anyways?"
I let out a sigh. "You're great with magic, Fluky. I've seen it."
She raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"Back at the motel, when Para and I were a few seconds away from being torn apart? I don't know what you did, but I saw a light come from the dumpster you were hiding in, and that's when they stopped attacking. That's when they died." I pointed my hoof to her chest. "You have a gift when it comes to magic. But you just don't know how to control it, yet."
She sat on her haunches and looked down. "Hm..."
I sat down before her. "And to answer your previous question, where I'm from, the unicorns your age don't have nearly enough ability to perform a telekinesis spell like you just did. If you had lived in my... er... the bunker, you would have been the most skilled one there."
"Yeah..." She hung her head down again. "Well, thanks for the pep talk, Robutt." She stood up as she spoke dismissively. She bit down on the baton and continued in a muffled tone. "Can we go now?"
Reluctantly, I nodded, before biting down on the grip of the pistol and slipping it into the holster of the armor I wore. I took the spare clips, checked if they were full, and after discovering that they were, I slipped those into a small satchel on my left side, towards the front. The box of ammo went in there with them.
We stepped out into the main corridor, and I tried the final door, across from the one we just left. I wasn't too surprised when I found out it was locked.
We both faced the plant-infested stairs that led further down into the stable, before looking to one another.
"You can turn back now." I said with a somber tone. "Once you go down there, that chance might cease to exist."
"I could say the same to you." Fluky replied with a blank expression.
I looked down the stairs and took a deep breath. "No... I won't let Para's death be in vain... and if there really is somebody left alive down there, I am going to help them..."
Fluky nodded silently, and together, we moved down into the second floor of Stable 32.


(((((((◉)))))))


The bottom of the stairs had brought us to a T-intersection. Our options were either to go straight ahead, or turn left.
The route ahead had a series of window panes all along the left side, though many of them were covered in moss and various other plant life.
The left route went down a level, then ended with a door on the right side, remaining closed in the flickering stretch.
Yeah, I... didn't like the look of that.
I looked up at the two dimly lit, dirt-covered signs above us, which were side by side with each other.
The sign on the left read 'ATRIUM' and had an arrow pointing left, respectively. The sign on the right pointed forward, reading 'LIVING QUARTE-' A vine had covered up the last part of the sign.
Well, I knew where I was going.
I looked down to the filly beside me. "I'm going to check on the living quarters, and see if I can't find the pony on the broadcast." If they're alive, that is... "You coming?"
She raised an eyebrow as she looked up at me. "I have a choice?"
"Everyone has a choice."
Her lips curled into a mirthless smirk. "I'll stick with you."
"Safety in numbers." I nodded. "That's a good choice."
She turned her head and giggled softly, though I could tell she was trying to hide it from me. She was just failing miserably at it.
We made our way forward, and as we passed the first window that wasn't entirely covered in moss, vines, roots, and all of the above, I got a good view of what I figured was the atrium.
A tree stood tall and alone in the very center of the room, reaching up as far as the ceiling would allow it. Tables and chairs had been overturned or pushed to the sides, along the walls. The roots spread across the floor like snakes, and made their way up walls and into the vents. Some of them had even reached the ceiling.
All around the tree were various figures of ponies, standing still... As still and quiet as statues in a garden. There was an unsettling nature about all this that made me just want to keep moving forward and away from the atrium...
Upon reaching the end of the hall, we turned right, down another set of stairs. The door to the living quarters had been opened by brute force, causing us to carefully walk over the thick, metal steel slab with a series of warning labels about proximity while it was closing.
A rather large dent had impacted one side of the door like a crater to land, after say... a megaspell bomb went off. I imagined that the opposite end had a hill formed into it.
I found myself wondering what this door's metaphorical megaspell was, and that whatever it was, it was long gone.
That was a question I preferred to leave unanswered.
We stepped into the residential section of the stable and came to a stop at a four way intersection. I looked left, but was only greeted by a lot of roots, vines, and flowers, which resided on a floor of dirt. I had already seen what was ahead of me, which was pretty much the same thing, with the exception that there was a T-intersection at the end, so I turned right, and that was when I froze. My breath caught in my throat.
A sentry stood before us, on all four wheels... and fully operational. It's red, intimidating glare of a light shined through the bars of its head, looking directly at us with what I assumed was malicious intent.
"PRESENT YOUR BADGE."
I raised a brow as I looked on at the machine. "My... My badge?"
It raised its gatling at me immediately. "PRESENT YOUR BADGE."
I looked around in a state of panic. "I uh... I forgot it. Can I go back and get it? It'll just be real qui-"
"PRESENT YOUR BADGE. FINAL WARNING."
"Wait!" Fluky shouted, ripping something off the side of my barding. She stepped between me and the sentry, holding out a badge. "Here it is!"
The sentry grew quiet as it stared...
Staring... Staring... Scaring both of us in the process. We didn't know what to expect. Would it let us pass? Would it just bombard us without word of warning? Would it spontaneously combust!? The not knowing was starting to freak me out!
Agh! The silence was getting unbeara-
"INVALID. PRESENTATION OF PROPER BADGE HAS FAILED TO BEEN MET. LETHAL ACTION IS PERMITTED."
"Fuck, Fluky run!"
She dropped the badge and immediately booked it down the corridor across from the doorframe we just stepped through.
I had thought that I'd have at least a second to get out of the sentries sight, but the moment she ran was the same moment its gatling sprayed me with scorching hot lasers that, even through the protective barding, I felt all too well...
My chest was burning even worse than my flank was, back when Fire had shot me.
I turned left and started to make a run for it. I caught sight of Fluky jumping through the circular opening of a vent, just as a red light started coming down from the intersection ahead.
Before I could react, another sentry stopped me in my tracks, and I ran back out, heading for the left corridor. I wasted no time reaching the first door.
My flank was getting a lot of attention these past two weeks... First, I got shot by my good for nothing sister, and now I was receiving a full barrage of laser to the ass, making me cry out in agony and run just a little more unusual than I was earlier.
If only things were as easy as turning around, yelling 'TIMES!' and having everypony cease fire on me, back when I was a colt that had toy gun battles with the others. Ah, those were the times...
I certainly didn't have to deal with this bullshit.
Something I find myself thankful for was that there was a cooldown on the gatling, and the sentry was stuck on a root, so it couldn't follow me. It didn't seem to even consider using the missiles, for some reason.
I slammed against the panel to the first door, and to my surprise, it actually opened! Finally, some luck was coming my wa-
The door opened, and I found myself face to... sphere... with a dirt covered Mr. Handy. Part of its frame had rusted away, but it was still operational, it seemed.
"Well, my goodness! It seems we have an imposter on the loose!" The machine spoke in a classy tone as the rotary saw blade of one of its three arms came to life. It adjusted itself to swing down on me in attempts to dug into my skull.
Spoke... er... thought too soon.
I jumped back as it swung down and kept running. At that point, the gatling started up again. Most of my body had suffered injuries from it, and I didn't know how much left I had in me...
However, due to the distance between us, I wasn't getting hit nearly as much as I was earlier.
"Stop right there, you impersonating embezzler!" The Mr. Handy continued as he left the room, coming after me, to which the sentry ceased fire. "I know a klepto when I see one! Did you really think you could just saunter right in and take what isn't yours!? Pilfering is most unruly, and will not be condoned here, thank you very much!"
I slammed my hoof against the next door, and like the first one, this one opened, but looking back, I saw that hiding in here wasn't going to be an option. They'd search this room top to bottom until I was found, and there was nothing to really stop them from getting in.
With that in mind, I kept running.
I found myself reaching the end of the corridor. I didn't see it from back there, but there was another route to the right.
Another thing I didn't see was another Mr. Handy coming around the corner. It had one appendage that resembled its eye, instead of three, like it would have had if it came right off the assembly line at Robronco. Said appendage started from the upper half of its sphere-like body, then arched downward; the end being a smaller sphere with a yellow light that resembled its retina.
"I urge you to halt this commotion at once!" It blurted as it spun and looked at me. "This is a safe, peaceful society of ponies, and you are disturbing this fine establishment!"
"Get out of my fucking way!" I shouted as it pointed its flamer at me.
Before it could engulf me in flame, I passed by it, raised my two hind legs, and bucked it as hard as I could muster, which admittedly, didn't do any favors for the comfort on my injured hoof.
I glanced back to see it slam against the wall with a loud thud. It quickly recovered and shook its eye, before staring at me again.
"Well, I never!" He started chasing after me, and I spun around, bit down on the grip of my newly acquired pistol, and aimed at the machine that was about ready to cut my head clean off my body, as the saw buzzed to life. "Your behavior is most discourteous, and must be concluded at once!"
I aimed down the sight and pulled the trigger with my tongue, but the rounds only bounced off its frame, having no effect on it in the slightest.
The other Handy unit turned the corner, closing in after me.
"At once I say! I demand you stop!"
I couldn't keep running forever. I developed stitches in my sides, and I was far too injured to keep this up. My lungs were burning from the exhaustion; I didn't run far, but the amount of energy it took to even do so wore me out incredibly fast.
In my state of panic as I watched it grow closer to me, aiming was a bit tricky. Nevertheless, I aimed a little upwards and squeezed the trigger. The round struck the top of its frame.
Damn unicorns... They had a lot of benefits with telekinesis. Hell, with horns in general. Us Earth ponies had it rough. No flying, no magic... Ugh...
I kept firing blindly in its direction as it closed in on me, ready to swing the saw from left to right across my neck. The rounds kept hitting its frame, and I was growing even more anxious and irritated than I was not too long ago. The next shot had ricocheted off its metal sphere and struck my right forehoof. Had it not been for the protective plating that covered the area, I was more than sure the bullet would have penetrated and made home there.
I groaned in pain from the shot; despite the security armor deflecting the bullet, I imagined there'd still be a nasty bruise there, later on. I'd say it was the equivalent of slamming a heavy, metal door on my hoof... twice.
Not too fun...
Neither was being decapitated.
The Handy was a few feet away from reaching me, and the pain that lingered in my hoof wasn't doing any help on letting me focus my shots. Each pull of the trigger was a miss in regards to what I was trying to hit, but I wasn't giving up. I couldn't. Despite how much I just wanted to lie down and rest, I knew there wasn't any time for that. I had to fight.
To the best of my abilities, I steadied my aim, praying that I'd get this shot in. I didn't know who or what I was praying to... I was just praying to anything that was listening, I guess. This was starting to look like my last chance.
I squeezed the trigger.
The yellow light of its eye shattered, causing it to stagger and swing all of its arms around in a panic.
"Ah, blast! Where did you run off to, you pompous mule!? I'll find you!" He paused, then added in a hushed, sulky tone as I slowly and quietly backed away so that I was out of reach of one of its many arms. "... Eventually..."
The second Mr. Handy was still coming after me, completely unaware of the first one being blinded and thrashing about, despite it being in front of him.
I simply raised my hoof and gave a light wave with a boastful grin on my face.
"Yes, I see you, you treacherous meat bag!" The second one blurted. "You'll have to answer to the-"
Before he could finish his statement, he slammed into the blinded machine, which swung the saw blade at his body, grinding into the metal mercilessly.
And to think that was going to be if I had missed that last shot...
"Ah ha!" The blind unit shouted. "I knew I'd find you! Thought you could run so easily, hm?"
"I knew you were a stripe-spy! Have at thee!" The second handy swung his saw at him.
I'll admit, metal grinding against metal was like claws on a chalkboard. I had the misfortune to know what that sounded like, no thanks to Firebright's... er... imaginative creations, such as the severed hand of a hellhound turned into a gauntlet fitted for a pony...
My grin quickly turned into a grimace in the blink of an eye as I backed away, letting the two robots take out their... well, whatever it is they had... on each other.
I think the best way to describe it was 'confused anger.'
But even then, machines didn't feel emotions. They couldn't feel pain, whether that be emotional or physical. Not unless one programmed them to do so, but then again... it wouldn't be real. It'd be real to them, no doubt, but...
Right. No time for thinking.
I turned around and started down the plant-infested corridor, but one step forward into it, I heard another Handy unit coming in from the four way intersection. I wasn't sure if it was from the left or the right, but it clearly wasn't happy about my 'commotion' either.
"Where are ya, ya zebra scum!? I'll gut ya like a fish!"
Seriously, why were they going crazy about zebras now? Not too long ago, I was an identify thief and burglar in their eyes. Now, a zebra?
The two Handy units behind me had succumbed to each other's... eh... 'anger issues,' and had both fallen to their... how should I say it... Expiration?
I couldn't keep fighting these things off. I barely made it through the first two!
I looked to my left after holstering the pistol and immediately hit the door panel, but it was jammed.
Typical...
I swung my head to the right and hit the next panel. The mechanism within groaned in protest, but the door stilled opened just wide enough for me to crawl in.
Oh, I would have been so pissed if the door decided to close right then and there...
Well, I wouldn't exactly be pissed, per se... I'd be cut in half before I even knew what hit me. That'd probably be one of the better ways to go, honestly.
I guess those warning labels were there for a reason.
Just before I could shimmy the rest of myself in, I felt a clasp grab a hold of my rear hoof and start to drag me back out.
"No!" My fores scrambled for anything to grab a hold of, in desperate attempts to keep me from going back out there. The floor was a smooth metal surface, so there wasn't any luck there. I couldn't see much of anything inside, with the exception of the bottom of a few cardboard boxes, straight ahead. Those wouldn't have saved me either, though... "Let go of me!"
"Filthy stripe!" The Handy unit blurted. "No better than those pesky roaches!"
While the rest of the room was dark, I caught the faint lights of the buttons to the door panel on this side.
Celestia, I hoped this worked...
I put one rear hoof to the upper slab of metal that refused to raise anymore than it already did, then bit down on the grip of the firearm in my holster. I slipped it out and aimed at the panel, keeping my tongue on the trigger. That's when I realized this was a really bad idea. My panic would have had me losing a hoof.
I quickly diverted my attention to the clasp that held a firm grasp of my leg and fired repeatedly; some of the shots striking my leg, some of them missing entirely, and the last shot striking the clasp.
The wiring within burnt out, judging by the sounds of a malfunctioning tool I was hearing, and it let go, sliding back out of the gap. I pulled my hoof in, aimed up at the panel, and put a round in that as well.
The door slammed shut with a loud bang, and everything fell into silence. I holstered the gun again.
Phew...
I was safe.
In a dark room.
Where I had no idea where... anything was...
And... I just... probably... destroyed my only way of... getting out...
Oh... Oh dear...
I sat up and felt around the wall near where the door was, until I felt a button. Upon pressing it, the ceiling lights flickered to life, showing a variety of cardboard boxes, shelves, and a table; all of which held nothing more than metal scraps.
I turned my back to nearest corner of the room and sat against the wall, next to the door, sighing and removing my helmet. I tossed it on the ground in front of me, letting it clang against the metal surface. Everything was sore, and a large portion of iron coated my tongue... My insides felt chewed up, my rear hoof was burning like hell, and the wooden shards of the tree in my side wasn't feeling any better, either.
I hung my head down and spat blood.
That's when I heard a gasp...
Before I could react, the pile of boxes before me sprang to life, and out came a poorly made version of a Mr. Handy. One eye, no frame, one arm; a saw blade.
"YOU DARE SPILL BLOOD ON THIS SACRED GROUND!?" It yelled in a war general's voice as it charged for me, readying the saw blade.
"Goddess damn it!" I grabbed my pistol, aimed, and pulled the trigger.
Click!
...
... I hate everything...
I rolled over to get on my hooves, but before I could get up and get away, the saw slammed into my bloody, splintered side, and started digging through the barding. At first, I felt the pressure building, and the distance between the saw and my coat getting shorter.
Then, I felt it dig in, and go beyond...
I don't think I had ever screamed as loud as I had at that moment. I do know that I had never felt anything as worse as this, though...
I was getting chewed up, and I was finding it difficult to get away...
Even if I did, where would I run? There was nowhere to go...
Blood spilled from the crevice of my barding, and the saw made more than enough of it fly across the room, painting the walls, floor, ceiling, and anything that resided within its space.
"DIE, DIE, DIE!" He let out a sadistic laugh as it continued cutting away at me.
I reached out and grabbed the closest thing I could find; a damaged sprite bot on the table. I threw it as best I could at the Gutsy's eye.
He recoiled and shook his appendage, swiping the saw left and right, but not hitting anything.
"You... first..." I panted heavily, trying to keep myself from passing out as I moved to the other side of the room quietly.
"Oh, it's going to be like that, is it?"
I looked back after biting down on a metal rod on one of the shelves to see that I had cracked the lens of the Gutsy's eye. It looked towards me and charged again. Judging by how it held the saw, and how it was going to swing at me, I presumed it was going for the neck.
Before it could strike, I jumped to the side, which meant slamming against the shelf next to me. I wasn't in the most agile or fit state at the moment.
Still, though, the Gutsy scraped the saw against the wall.
"Ah, you bastard! Where did you run off to!?" He seemed to be having troubles moving his eye around.
I recovered as fast as I could, and with a muffled tone, I replied. "Over here."
Before he could look, I slammed the bar into the engine that kept him afloat. It sputtered, but didn't go out completely.
I continued striking it, refusing to give in. I had it... I wasn't playing nice anymore...
I started seeing other ponies faces from my past...
"Fuck you, Firebright!" Wack! In my mind's eye, I saw her beaten and bruised, and nothing satisfied me more. She looked up at me with pleading eyes of terror. I wasn't holding back... "You fucking bitch!" Wack! "You had this coming!" Wack! Tears escaped from my eyes as I kept beating her senseless, but the feeling felt so... rewarding. Blood stained her face as she lied there, crying.
Then came Crimsonthunder.
"You murderous cunt!" Upon striking him, he fell on his stomach, groaning in pain. "You monster!" I slammed the rod against his back, hearing something crack within. He cried out in agony as he laid there; his back arched. "Shut the fuck up!" I roared, slamming the bar into him over and over again, until blood gushed out with each strike.
Then came Shadowmark...
His eyes had been swollen shut by the time I was done with him...
Darkspark had bone sticking out from his hind leg.
Bristle; a missing ear.
Their screams were my muse. My inspiration to keep going. To be ruthless.
Blueshade was left gelded for touching Fluky...
Sting got his head bashed in.
Bloodwing, broken wings and crippled talons.
I was merciless. I was tired. I was fueled and blinded by rage from all the bullshit I had to endure this past week, and I had let it all bottle up, only to take it out on a machine that had nothing to do about what everyone else did to me and the ponies that accompanied me.
I found myself standing over a twitching heap of a Gutsy unit, out of breath from all the destruction I was causing to it. There were no arms left on it. The casing for the engine was far too damaged to use anymore. It's eye entirely missin- No. Not missing. I dropped it from my mouth, letting it strike the machine. I had beaten it with its own parts.
My body was shaking, and I was on the verge of collapsing. Blood was still spilling out from me...
I looked over at a bent metal rod. I couldn't remember anything that I had done to the Gutsy. Only what I did to the monsters in my head.
What had I become...?
The kill switch would have been the easier option, but that wasn't enough for me, apparently. I needed to relieve myself of my anger, and this was it.
I flicked the switch inside, and the Gutsy went limp immediately after.
I sighed, hung my head down, and after a few seconds of standing on wobbly hooves, I slowly slipped out of my barding. The inside of the suit rubbed against my newly acquired injury, making me wince and groan, but I knew it needed to be done.
I couldn't cauterize the wound with the Gutsy's thruster, seeing as it was far too broken. I wasn't seeing a whole lot of other options lying around, either...
After I got out of the suit, I stumbled around the room, throwing useless junk aside in search for something that would prove useful.
Broken toasters, radios, and pieces of other robots, here and there... If I had the time, I'd have been able to jury rig a toaster and hold it against my side until the problem was dealt with.
Darkness crept in from the corners, and I was growing weaker to the point where I couldn't stand anymore. I collapsed on my side, barely able to move. Blood filled my mouth, and I spat. Red continued to drip from my lips. Weights pulled my eyelids down, telling me it was time to rest...
Fate had other plans for me.
> Channel 000.7; Vortex
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm the fresh casualty of an unusually unfortunate circumstance. My lot in life, I suppose


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The cloudy skies overhead were lit up in blood red glares, with hints of black as dark as the void. The air was heavy and hot with fire and ash, and reeked of decay. A violent wind howled as it pushed against me.
The trees were dead and barren like the land it stood on. Just like how I imagined the wasteland would look like before I arose from below the ground. I looked to my right to see the distant towers of Saddle; one of them leaned against the other, as it had been for two centuries.
I felt a hole in my chest, about an inch just above my heart. I had noticed that, after putting my hoof over what I imagined was a gunshot, that my coat was silver.
I looked at the ground before me and spotted a trail of blood that led through the dead woods. I started to trot forward, following the trail, as I hummed a tune.
Rocks had crumbled, trees had been torn from the dark soil, and by the looks of it, for all I knew, all of Equus was dying entirely before me.
I came to a stop at the sight of a familiar landmark, smiling, despite all the chaos and destruction around me.
Two ponies were strapped to the front of both disabled sentries, still screaming and thrashing about. The steel door of 32 was behind them. Their eyes were missing, and blood spilled from their mouth. Barbed wire wrapped around their forms, digging into their bleeding coats. Their screams were nothing I had ever heard before. Not even I had made something as horrible as the shrieks I was hearing, when the... wait, how did I even get here? I couldn't exactly remember what happened to make me come here... Nothing good, but that was about all I knew...
The screams echoed and distorted constantly, but it never died. I found myself grinning as I stared into the dark red pits where their eyes had once been.
I focused on the entrance of the stable, and spoke in a voice that wasn't my own.
"Soon..."
With that, I turned back to the trail of blood and continued following it.
As the wind roared past me in a hasty current, it started to sound more and more like the screams of millions... perhaps billions of other ponies in a never ending trip of agony. Ahead, in the distance, just a little bit over the horizon, I saw a vortex of black, and around it, a ring of red that bent upwards into the sky, made up of the clouds. White orbs raised from the earth and met there, only to get sucked in like a vacuum as the screams and shrieks went on.
My attention was diverted to the grunts and struggles of a pony in the vicinity.
I looked over at a boulder to my left, where the noise was coming from, and smirked as I calmly approached.
Making my around its mass, I came across the same, purple coated raider that had killed Para. He was beaten pretty badly, and a bullet had even clipped his ear. He looked up into my eyes with plea as I stopped before him.
"Please..." He shielded his face with a hoof, as if he was expecting to get beaten more. "Please, no more... I'm sorry..."
I simply shook my head, keeping my smile. Before too long, I found myself singing. "If you're Happy and you know it, stomp your hooves." I slammed both my forehooves down into his gut, making him cry out and spit blood; making red join the purple. "If you're Happy and you know it, stomp your hooves." I gave him another set of hoof stomps; this time, over his chest. I kept them pressed down as he wheezed and gasped for air, begging me to stop. "If you're Happy and you know it, and you really oughta show it..." I raised up on my rears, smiling down at him in a calm manner. He stared back in horror, barely audible.
"Please... no..." He whispered.
My hooves slammed down into his head, caving his face into his skull. Red stained my hooves, and I kept them dipped into his brain as I stood there, looking down at him with that calm smile.
"... If you're Happy and you know it, stomp your hooves." I finished in a soft note, before looking up at the blood red sky.


(((((((◉)))))))


"Come on, Robutt..." I heard the familiar voice of a filly say in desperation. "Wake up..."
Something was lodged between my lips, and a tangy fluid washed down my throat, making me gag. I coughed, to which the neck of the bottle vacated the premises.
The hole in my side was gradually feeling better as I rolled over, coughing and hacking. My flank and my hooves were both starting to feel a little better as well. A little sore, maybe. But not like what it was.
I laid on my side and cracked my eyes open, only to see a set of violets looking back at me.
"Good..." She sighed and hung her head down. "You're alive."
"I thought you didn't like me." I spoke in a soft, raspy tone.
She quickly looked back into my eyes, stunned. Her mouth hung open, but nothing came out for a few seconds. "I... I don't. But letting you die wouldn't make anything right. Besides... you saved my life. Figured I owed you."
I felt my lips curl in a faint smile. "You're a good kid..." I looked down at the floor between us to see a bottle lying on its side, with a purple liquid within. Some of it had spilled out, mixing with the blood that pooled around me. "Where'd you get that?"
"Went through the vents and came across a medical bay. I thought it'd be useful along the way. Turns out I was right." She beamed at me. I wrapped a hoof around her to pull her into a hug.
She tensed up, and that grin became a grimace, which gave me pause. I took my hoof away and instead, gave her two pats on the head.
"Thanks, Flukes..." I rolled onto my back and looked up at the ceiling.
"Don't call me that."
"What, Flukes?"
She gritted her teeth and groaned in annoyance. "Yes..."
I glanced over at the door to see it was still sealed shut. "Hey, how did you get in here anyways?"
"Hm?"
I looked at her and pointed a hoof to the door. "The door. It's jammed. How did you get in here?"
"I used the vents."
... Oh.
Well, I felt stupid.
"You got yourself pretty beaten up." She stated.
"You think?" I replied in a sarcastic tone as I raised an eyebrow at her. "I totally planned on getting my gut shredded."
She gave me a more sympathetic smile and tilted her head to the side. "Do you wanna rest here for a bit?"
I nodded. "Just for a few minutes." I needed to relax a bit after what just happened.
"Alright." She stood up and made her way to the shelves. "I'm gonna look around, see if I can't find anything useful."
I continued to lie there on my back as she dug through metal scraps and broken appliances. Every so often, she'd pick something up, examine it for a few seconds, then put it to her ear and give it a shake, before muttering to herself as she tossed it behind her.
As I looked up at the ceiling, the dream I had earlier played over and over in my head. I remembered it vividly, as if it happened to me personally.
The screaming wouldn't leave... The vortex in the sky that consumed the mysterious orbs...
"Cap for your thoughts?"
"What?" I looked over to see Fluky was looking back with a curious smile. "Oh. Yeah, uh... Just a dream I had when I was... dying." I scoffed and shook my head, but she trotted to my side and sat on her haunches. Alright, I guess it was story time... "It was as real as you... As real as me..." I looked around the room. "As real as this place..."
After going into vivid detail about everything that had happened in the dream, the only reaction I got from her was a worried expression, and, "sounds like you need a therapist."
"Gee... Thanks." I rolled my eyes and sat up, groaning. My side felt stitches, but it was a lot better than feeling splinters and a giant, gaping hole in my side. I looked down to see several wooden shards lying around in the puddle. I looked at her, baffled, to which she beamed at me again, tilting her head and closing her eyes.
"Not sure if I got them all, but I tried."
"How?"
She waved her hooves around in front of her face and whispered. "Magic." Then she put her hooves down and looked more serious. "Seriously, though. Magic. Had to pull one out at a time so that I didn't end up burning my horn out, and again, I don't know if I got them all or not. But it should feel better than it did before."
"It does." I nodded with a faint smile. "Thank you again, Flukes."
She scowled. "Stop calling me that!"
"Stop calling me Robutt." I grinned.
"Never! You earned your title!" She pointed a hoof at me.
"So did you."
"I..." She froze, blinked, then shook her head. "AGH!" She huffed and pouted. "Stupid Robutt..."
"Silly Flukes." I patted her on the head again, and she swiped a hoof at mine. I pulled away before she could hit it, which earned me another scowl.
"Whatever." She rolled her eyes and started to trot back to the shelves. "Far as I know, the world is still there." She started sorting through the junk again. "Dead, but there."
I leaned my back against the wall and took a deep breath as I looked up at the ceiling again. If I went out there to find the wasteland like it was in the dream...
"Hey, Fluke..." I looked at her to see she was glaring at me. "... ey." She calmed down a little.
"What?"
"Can you give me a radio? I need to check something."
"They're busted." She stated, looking at a pile that she had categorized from the rest of the crap here.
"Yes, I know. In that case, give me a few."
She raised an eyebrow, and I grabbed the rolled up fabric of tools and put them on display before me.
She grabbed one and set it down next to me, then went back for another, and another.
For a while, I stared at the three of them; studying their frame, wiring, and circuitry. The one on the far right was the better of the three when it came to operational value. There were a few things that needed fixing, but it didn't seem to be too much of a problem, and the other radios supplied the parts I needed to replace the ones that were too damaged in the radio I selected for repair.
Seriously, what was wrong with this stable when it came to broken radios? It was like somepony absolutely hated them.
Where one of the spare radios didn't have a functional system that I needed, then the other usually did. When it didn't, I sent Fluky to hunt for another radio.
By the time I was theoretically done fixing the device, there were up to nine spares lying around me. Clearly, I had underestimated how this was going to go. Still, I hadn't dropped a bead of sweat or show even a hint of frustration.
"Here goes..." I said, about to flick the switch up with my hoof. Before I could, Fluky flinched and ducked behind a mound of metal scrap she had made in her search for useful tech. There was nothing that caught her attention.
I looked over with a raised brow. "What gives?"
She peeked her head out from the mound. "For all I know, you're a horrible repair pony. I'm not getting my face blown off because you put a wire in the wrong area." She ducked her head behind the detritus once more.
I sighed and rolled me eyes, before flicking the switch. "Nice to know you have faith in me..." The light within the radio flickered to life, and a gentle static filled the room.
Fluky peeked her head out once more; this time, only to her eye level.
"Alright, do you remember the channel that Para was always on? Maybe the DJ can give us some insight on the surface."
"I don't remember..." She said as she kept her distance.
"I never bothered to look..." I sighed and started turning the dial. There was nothing but static on the waves.
Still, I kept going back and forth in the desperate hope that I'd find something out there. I needed to hear that the surface wasn't what it was like in the dream. It was probably just paranoia, but it could have also been something else. Something more. All I could do was hope it wasn't.
It didn't matter, though... No matter how slow I turned the dial, no matter how many times I went back, it wasn't there. Nothing was.
It was all dead...
This wasn't important right now, anyways... If worse came to worse, I'd deal with it later. In the meantime, I had to focus on our survival in 32.
"Come on out, Fluky." I said with a smile, turning up the volume of static.
She started to step out from the cover and warily approach.
"See?" I pointed at the radio. "It works just fi-" Suddenly, the machine popped in front of me in a flash of white. My ears rang. I couldn't see. There was a sharp pain in my chest, about an inch above my heart, just like in the dream. I felt the cold surface of the floor pressed up against my back.
I felt myself screaming, and not long after, I heard said screams, though they were muffled.
I moved my hoof around my chest, only to feel a jagged tooth of shrapnel lodged in. A second later, I felt Fluky's hooves over mine. She seemed to be trying to pull them away from the piece of metal that stuck out of me. I did what I assumed she wanted me to do, to which I felt her grab a hold of the shrapnel.
Before I could think about what was going to happen, she yanked hard, and the jagged edge left my body as I cried out in agony. Those cries were quickly interrupted with the neck of a bottle to my lips. The rest of its contents washed down my throat.
The wound started to close, and my vision started to come back, as did my hearing.
"Well, that's twice I saved you." She stated, looking down at me as she set an empty bottle down.
"Three times, actually." I muttered, moving my hoof over my chest. There wasn't even a scar left. "You're forgetting about the motel." I rolled over on my stomach and stood up on all fours. I was definitely feeling better at this point. Not just in my chest, but everywhere. Both hooves were back to working order, my flank wasn't on fire, and while I still felt a few things left in my side, it wasn't all that painful. Uncomfortable, maybe. But not painful. "I owe you, Fluky. Thank you."
"You're right." She said with a blank expression. "You do. You've owed me since Saddle." She tore her eyes away from mine after a few seconds, and looked down at the radio. "So does this mean you're a bad repair pony?"
"No." I shook my head hard, glad that the topic was changed. "Some tech shouldn't be messed with, is all. I know my way around a radio."
"Uh huh... Sure you do." She looked up at me skeptically, then nodded her head to the vent behind the pile of boxes that the Gutsy sprang out from. "Ready to hit it, then? Or do you need more time?"
"Just give me a second. I need to do something."
She nodded, then sat on her haunches, waiting quietly.
I stretched my legs and groaned, before releasing a satisfied sigh. I got back into my armor, packed up the tools, loaded in a fresh clip to the pistol, resupplied the old one, and holstered the gun. I slipped the spare in the pouch with the rest of the ammo, and the other spare.
The barding had a slit in its side, and my blood had painted the area around it. The rest of it was fine, so there was no reason to leave it behind. Just needed to be more cautious and aware of my surroundings. Not many ponies got second chances. Wait, would this be my third chance? Those weird smoke monsters back at the towers made me think so.
I looked at her once I knew I had everything and gave her a single nod. "Let's go."


(((((((◉)))))))


The air ducts were a bit of a tight squeeze for me, and the armor and gear wasn't helping in the slightest. Fluky, however, was doing just fine. Being smaller had its benefits, I guess.
I had noticed that she slipped the baton into the ammo pouch of my armor; the end sticking out.
Throughout our claustrophobic expedition, every once in a while, we'd come across a grate that led down to a room or corridor in the residential wing of the stable. Every so often, we'd see a sentry, Handy, or Gutsy patrolling the area or just sitting there, doing nothing.
There was a room I wanted to stop to drop down in, after seeing three health potions and a rifle locked away in a cabinet, along with three magazines. It was a living quarter, and the cabinet was left alone in the master bedroom, which remained wide open, taunting me.
However, a Gutsy appeared to be guarding it. I didn't want to deal with that again... I felt a twinge of pain in my gut just looking at it.
As painful as it was to leave that equipment behind, it was probably for the best. At least, for the time being. I needed to play it smart. I'd go back if I found my chances of survival increase. Though, that was unlikely. Not impossible... Just unlikely.
Gunfire echoed through the stable suddenly, causing both Fluky and I to look at one another with concern. There were faint shouts and orders behind those shots, along with the deep, metallic voices of sentries, and the cries of a war general offering nothing but death to whoever they were screaming at.
"Keep going." I said, tapping Fluky on the shoulder.
She flinched, glanced back at me with worry, then resumed her crawl. I followed close behind. It appeared the Gutsy  guarding the cabinet wasn't going to move for anything.
The farther we traveled, the louder the shots became, respectively. The shaft eventually brought us closer to the ground, and not long after, we reached a grate that gave us a view of a firefight occurring in a corridor. I couldn't see who was shooting at who, but judging by the voices, I had a pretty good idea.
It went to show that traveling through the ducts was a much safer bet than the alternative.
Fluky crossed the vent and turned around to look through, giving me room so that I could see what was happening as well.
A sentry rolled down the plant infested hallway, spraying gatling laser ahead, while the Gutsy covered it with plasma fire.
"DO NOT RESIST." The sentry bellowed as it pushed forward.
Before I knew it, Bloodwing launched forward and ripped the sentry's head clean off its body, then threw it at the Gutsy that was approaching from behind the machine.
"FUCK YOU!" She screamed, knocking the Gutsy back. She blasted both the decapitated sentry and the stunned Gutsy unit with the barrels of her battle saddle. The time gap between each thunderous shot was maybe half a second. It left my ears ringing. Fluky too, I imagined. The world may have well been tearing apart from its shots.
Both of the machines went limp and died out fairly quick, which only made me want those guns. Shame I wasn't a pegasus...
She spun around, glaring back at the crew that approached. "Hurry your ass up!"
Several ponies wasted no time running past her in a panic as she resumed fire down the way she came.
There was a series of hissings and growls, but it wasn't like the roots. There was a rattling behind these ones.
Bloodwing started backing up as she opened fire on the mysterious sound. Sting stopped at her side, levitated his rifle, and started emptying his magazine on whatever was down there.
"Agh, fuck!" Bloodwing's guns started turning red around the barrels, and smoke started to emerge from her wings from the heat. "There's too many!" She started backing up again, as the remaining of the crew fled past them.
"Go." Sting said in a calm manner that I could barely hear, before he turned around and ran. Bloodwing stood there and glared ahead as her guns cooled down.
One final raider; the grey coated griffin that threw Fluky down on the ground when she ripped his feathers out, flew forward to catch up with the rest. A series of grey, almost moldy vines snapped forward, grabbing his wings and grounding him right before Bloodwing, who jumped back; her jaw dropped.
He cried out in fear as he attempted crawling forward, but more vines came and wrapped around his form, one limb at a time. He looked up at Bloodwing for help, but she closed her beak and shook her head slowly. His eyes grew wide in terror.
"You or me." She smiled faintly, then glanced at the creature that had him in custody. Looking back down at him, she continued. "Thanks for the sacrifice." With that, she spun around and flew off.
"No! Come back! Don't leave me here with these things! PLEASE! Kill me!"
A grey, severely injured... 'pony' stumbled forward; the vines coming from both of its sides. It took me a moment to realize that there was barely any fur left. A series of holes had dug into the skin. Where there wasn't holes, there were cysts and warts, some of which pulsated, as if ready to burst. Its green, glowing eyes stared down at its prey as it hissed; baring a set of black, thin fangs. It stepped over him as he begged and fought to get away, then came to a stop.
Its abdomen split open down the middle, and several other tendrils - these ones red and dripping - spilled out like guts, before snaking their way around the griffin's form as he screamed from pure horror.
A few of them had silenced him by securely wrapping around his neck, choking him. He tried using his talons to cut through them, but they had been apprehended before any major damage could be inflicted.
A larger tendril with a pod at the end emerged. The pod opened like a gory, slimy flower, and several dozen smaller tendrils slithered out from the center as it got closer to the griffin's beak. He fought to turn away, squeeling at this point.
Another tendril came down from the insides of the monster and wrapped around the top of his head, keeping it in place as the suction launched forward. It wrapped around his beak and pumped violently, as if it were force feeding him something.
His squirming body was lifted up into the split abdomen, before it sealed back up. Several others like it moved forward after the group of raiders that had left behind one of their own.
The bulge inside the monster squirmed around, trying to break free. I could still hear his muffled cries...
They weren't good people. They were raiders. They killed, raped, defiled, and pillaged.
But no one... no one deserved the kind of fate that I had just witnessed. I didn't fully understand what was happening in there, and I was okay with that.
I heard a shudder, and looking over at Fluky, I saw her looking away from the grate, crying softly to herself.
I carefully reached my hoof out and placed it on her shoulder, but she only gasped and flinched away. She looked back at me with eyes of terror. It was worse than when I saw her behind the couch, or pinned by the raiders.
Far worse.
She may have just seen a glimpse of hell.
Tears ran down her cheeks. I could hear it in her whimpered breaths. Could see it in her eyes. She was doing all she could to not break down completely from what she just witnessed. She did all she could to not make a sound, and while she failed at that, none of them had noticed.
I mouthed the words 'keeping going' and glanced to the left once more. The creature that had abducted the griffin continued to stand still. Its hooves seemed to be growing into the ground like roots.
She turned back around and resumed her crawl, therefore allowing me to move forward. She was shaking.
I was too...
Not too far ahead was an incline back toward the ceiling. I could only assume that the vent we had stopped at was an access point for maintenance, in case there was something wrong with the ventilation, back when this stable was... well, I had doubts that this place was ever normal. I guess the most accurate word for this was... living?
After a few minutes of venturing the ducts, she turned to me again and pointed down at a vent before her, then mouthed the word 'in.'
I listened closely, but couldn't hear the whirring of machinery. The hissing in the background made it hard to determine whether or not there was any of those abominations wherever that vent led to.
I squeezed forward, to which Fluky groaned in disgust. This duct was too small for the two of us...
"Ever hear of personal space?"
"Shush." I replied quickly, looking down through the grate. There was a bed directly below us. I didn't see anything moving down there.
I moved the vent aside, rolled onto my back, and peeked into the room; my head upside down. The bedroom was empty of any life; hostile or otherwise.
It was surprisingly cleaner than everything else I had seen, so far. A bookshelf stood tall next to the exit, and the books were neatly organized, instead of thrown about. It was... uncanny, seeing something so tidy in a place like this.
I looked back at a flustered Fluky and nodded, then slid the vent aside completely.
Fluky peeked her head down into the room for a few seconds, scanning the perimeter, before dropping down and landing on the mattress. The springs creaked in protest. She hopped off the double bed and sat on the floor, panting under her breath and shaking.
I dropped down on the bed with a bit more noise than Fluky had made, but it went unnoticed. I got off and sat beside her.
"What..." She choked. "What w-was that...?"
"I don't know..." I said softly, still worried about making any noise.
"That's been... that's been living under us all this time..." She winced as tears fought themselves free, and she hissed from the burn. "That's been under... under us..." She looked up at me with dread. "I want to get out of here... I don't want to be here... I don't-" A sudden stream of tears broke loose, and she with it, shaking even more than she had been earlier.
I put my arm around her and drew her in close. I had expected her to push me away, but to my surprise, she buried her head in my armored chest, weeping.
My jaw dropped for a few seconds, before I snapped it back shut and started to remove my armor. She looked up at me with fear and curiosity mixed, and I leaned my back against the bed, reaching out both hooves, after I had finished taking the armor off.
She nodded and came to me, and I lifted her up in my arms, cradling her as she buried her muzzle in the coat of my chest, allowing me to offer something a lot more than a cold, rough barding.
I could still hear the monsters outside. It didn't put either of us at ease, but instead, made things worse for the both of us. She couldn't stop crying, and I couldn't stop assuming the worst for us.
"I don't want to die..." She whimpered. "I don't want what happened out there to happen to me... or even you..."
I looked down at her coolly, but remained quiet.
"Don't let that happen... Don't let it... Don't leave me..."
"Shh..." I gently rubbed my hoof through her mane as I whispered. "I'm not going anywhere... I'm right here..."
She closed her eyes and continued to shudder as I sat there, holding her close. I didn't know what we were doing. I didn't know if I was waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Something breaking in and killing us all...
The Gutsy was a much better way to go than the latter.


(((((((◉)))))))


Beyond the gate of the dry, barren park, was a forest of gore and rot. The trees weren't that of bark, but instead, the bloody coats of ponies. Bones stuck out like branches, covered in red. The air was heavy with the acrid scent of decay. Ponies of all ages hung by their necks from the 'branches,' via a noose made of intestines.
The howls of the wind blew past, heading for the vortex in the sky, behind me.
I took a deep breath of air and exhaled, as if I were enjoying a fresh spring, before trotting further into the forest, towards the towers in the distance.


(((((((◉)))))))


I opened my eyes, looking ahead at the closed door. The lights in the bedroom were still working fine, so I wasn't worried about anything being in here with us.
I hadn't realized that I had fallen asleep here. I suppose that the stillness of the room had gotten to me.
I yawned and looked down at Fluky, who remained snuggled up to me, fast asleep.
The hissing of the monsters outside was at the same volume as before, when we got in here. There were far too many to deal with, judging by how many I heard out there. I couldn't put it in numbers. That didn't really matter at this point. We were both screwed if we went out there. There had to be another way out. That, or we just waited until they all passed by... But who knew how long that would take.
I gently lifted Fluky up off of me. She reached out her hooves and groaned softly under her breath, trying to grab a hold of me again. Her arms waved around a bit.
I smiled softly and gently laid her down on the bed I had been leaning my back against for the better part of... however long we were sleeping here. She rolled over on her side and curled up as I pulled the blanket over her tiny form.
We were stuck here for however long it took for a horde to pass through, so I may as well have started searching the place for anything good.
The dresser consisted of nothing more than clothing of a pre war time, and a few bits. That was all but useful, so I moved on to a desk in the opposite corner of the room. Inside was a series of paperwork, and the surface of it provided just as much yawn material as what was in the desk's drawers.
The bookshelf was more medical encyclopedias than fiction... YAWN!
I looked to the door, listening to the hisses. After about a minute of putting all my attention on it, I had noticed they weren't coming from the other side of the door. Only the vent.
I turned back to the sleeping filly with a somber expression, before turning back to the door and pressing my hoof on the panel.
It slid open before me with ease, like it was supposed to, and I was greeted by a living room. There were a few plants here and there; many of which were actually potted. Somehow, after all this, they had managed to stay alive. Other than the few unwelcome plants, this place seemed pretty normal. Smelled musty, but it wasn't too bad.
There were two couches on one side, a jukebox - which, of course, was broken - a desk in the far left corner, behind one of the couches, and atop that, a terminal that still looked functional. Well... the frame looked good, anyways. Who knew what the inside looked like...
Nevertheless, that was the first thing I approached. I pressed the tip of my hoof against the power button. The insides whirred and clicked, and the screen slowly lit up.


WELCOME BACK, DR. PETIOLE


The glowing, green text disappeared, and in its place, came a password entry.
"Damn it..." I muttered, thumping my head against the keyboard.
I was a repair pony... Not a hacker.
Wait...
I lifted my head from the keyboard and stared at the series of dots that filled the task bar. Luck had seemed to be on our side a lot of times. Maybe my head slam had put in the right password!
I grinned at the idea and hit 'enter.'


INVALID ENTRY


That grin vanished, and my shoulders slumped in disappointment.
Okay... Think... Think...
I rubbed the tips of my fores over my temple in a circular motion and closed my eyes for a few seconds, before opening them again and looking around the wooden desk. 'Kay... my thinking cap is on and ready to... uh... think.
Yeah, okay...
Lamp... no.
Phone? Doubt it.
I froze when my eyes came across a framed photo; the picture face down on the dusty surface.
I lifted it up to discover that this 'Petiole' had a special somepony in their life. She held her lover in a comforting embrace as they held a kiss that lasted until the end of time. Her eyes were closed, as were his. They were lost in that moment. Lost in each other. Nothing else mattered in that moment. They had each other. That was all they cared about.
The picture must have been taken before the bombs, seeing as they stood in a wooded area. Beautiful, green life flourished around them, and the sun shined down on the two lovebirds.
She had a tan coat, and he, a light grey. Her bangs curled at the end, just above her eyes, and her mane was the color of snow. His remained straight, but stayed about the same length as hers; it being a much darker shade of grey than his coat.
They looked happy. They looked like they were...
Hm...
I put the picture down and typed in 'love,' then hit enter.
A smaller message appeared under the password bar, which read 'INVALID ENTRY.'
I typed 'lover,' then hit enter again.


INVALID ENTRY
SEE HINT?
Y/N


I hit 'Y,' then read the following message that popped up below the password entry.


SOMETHING LOST, AND NEVER TO BE FOUND.


Something lost, and never to be found...? Well, that was vague. A lot of things could have been lost. Was she talking about something of hers, personally, or the war, or what? Ugh... I was horrible at this.
Hope? Peace? Love? No wait, I already tried that... Happiness? Sweet Celestia, was I always this depressing...? Uhhh... House keys! Is it house keys? Everyone loses house keys! I typed it in.
... Nope.
... Not house keys.
Sanity? I was certainly losing mine, trying to figure out how to unlock this damn terminal.
"Agh!" I slammed my head against the keyboard. "I just! Want to! Know! What's! Inside!" With each pause, I smacked my head against the keys. It was started to hurt... Probably best to stop... What the hell was happening to me...?
Despite my frustration, I spoke in a hushed tone.
A pony with passwords is a pony of secrets, but not if I can help it! I wanted to know what happened here to cause all the shit out there to exist. Maybe I could find a weakness against the monsters out there, if I opened this up.
I opened the desk drawers and started digging through the papers again. Everything here was just paperwork and documents on patients.
And then I found it...
I looked down at a small photo of Petiole sitting beside her lover, pointing a hoof at her overgrown tummy and grinning. The stallion smiled thoughtfully as he glanced down at their future. They were going to have a baby.
I gently put the photo down where I found it, as if it were fragile, then quietly closed the drawer. I stared back at the screen and typed my next answer.


FAMILY
ACCESS GRANTED


I took a deep breath as I continued to stare at the screen. Eventually, the message vanished, and a new one appeared.


FILES CORRUPT.
PLEASE INSERT BACKUP DRIVES FOR REBOOT


Well... if it wasn't one thing... it was another.
I sighed and slumped in my seat, pouting.
Of course it wasn't going to be this 'easy...' It never was.
"Ro-Robutt?" I heard Fluky say in a panicked tone, in the other room. "Robutt, where are you?" She started to raise her voice out of fear of being left behind.
I jumped to my hooves and ran to the other room, stopping in the doorway.
She was sitting up straight, pressed up in the corner, holding the blanket up to her neck, as if it would keep the monsters away.
The fear etched onto her face quickly vacated the premises once she laid eyes on me, and sighed with relief. "I thought you were gone..."
I smiled softly and calmly approached, then sat at the side of the bed. "Never. Not until you want me to be."
She looked around her surroundings, then down at the blanket with a slightly confused look, to which I replied.
"I figured you'd want to keep sleeping, so I tucked you in."
She looked up at me and gave a wan smile, after putting the blanket down and shifting out of the corner. "Thanks, Robutt."
"Are you gonna keep calling me that?"
She nodded. "Yep."
"I'm still a butt, then?"
She gave me another short nod. "Yep."
"So, I guess this means that everything that comes out of my mouth is shit."
She giggled softly and rolled her eyes. "Well, I wouldn't say that. You're sincere. I can see it. And... you mean well."
We both went silent as the hissing and growling outside started to gradually get quieter.
"Sounds like they're finally starting to pass." I said softly, looking up at the vent. I stood up and started to put the security barding back on. "Chances are they'll be blocking the exit of the stable, though."
"So, what are we going to do?" Fluky asked, turning her head from the vent and back to me.
"What we came here to do." I slipped the helmet on; my visor tinting my vision just a little as I looked at Fluky. "Search and rescue." With that, I started for the exit.
"So this isn't about supplies anymore?"
I paused and glanced back. "Well... that too. Just not my top priority at the moment..."
"Whenever you're ready." She spoke with determination, and I looked over to see the most sincere smile I've seen from her for the entire time I've known her.
That warmed my heart.


(((((((◉)))))))


The door slid open before us, and we both stepped out into a corridor littered with spent shell casings, burnt energy cartridges, destroyed turret parts, and a lot of vegetation. The hissing was a lot quieter, and I wasn't witnessing any traffic coming through. Still, as a precaution, we kept quiet.
I started for the left, towards a four way intersection, where I imagined the raiders ran, and ultimately, where the fungal specimens stumbled off to.
Coming to a stop just before stepping out into the open, I peeked around the corner, to my right; to where the creatures went. I didn't see any movement, and the hissing was only growing more distant, so I turned to the left to see a sentry in the middle of the corridor, at the far end.
Instinct had me tense up and freeze. My heart started pounding again. Any more of this, and I imagined I'd have to be worrying about heart failure.
After a few seconds of staring, wide-eye'd, I discovered it was broken down. The lights were out, and it wasn't emitting any noise. It wasn't going to be a problem.
I sighed and hung my head down, smiling softly to myself and shaking my head, before I turned and looked at her. She raised a brow at me, clearly wondering what was going on with me.
"I... may or may not have PTSD from robots, now."
"PTS... huh?" She wrinkled her nose and frowned.
"Post traumatic stress." I answered simply, looking back at the broken mech. "Something you get when you face something terrible."
"Like hearing your family, friends, and home getting destroyed?"
"Er... yeah..." I paused, wearing guilt on my features. I couldn't bear to look at her at that time. Not after what she said... Why did she have to remind me...? "Like that..."
I started walking down the corridor, towards the sentry. Fluky stayed by my side. "So what's the D stand for?"
"D?" I kept my eyes forward.
"Yeah. PSD, or whatever you called it."
"Disorder."
"What?"
"Post traumatic stress disorder. PTSD." I walked past the expired sentry, watching it closely, half expecting it to come back to life and start firing at us.
I had noticed that the creature that abducted the griffin was nowhere to be found. Perhaps it had moved on with the rest of the horde, after a while.
We moved on with, thank Celestia, no problems.
So far...


(((((((◉)))))))


On our way through the residential section of 32, we encountered several other fungal creatures that had succumbed to heavy gunfire. Even then, we took extra caution making our way around them. We knew nothing of these things. For all we knew, they were just sleeping and waiting for someone to make a noise or inspect them.
The farther we got, the bigger the body count became. We had to hug the right wall for a while, then the left, then the right, and so forth. It was a labyrinth of corpses. Make the wrong move and... well, I didn't want to think about that.
It was getting problematic for us, to say in the least. More so, for Fluky. She had to jump over any and all appendages that lay sprawled along the floor, in front of her path. All I had to do was step over them.
Being bigger had its benefits, too.
I turned around and looked at her as she stood there, panting from the constant leaps. She looked up at me, then looked down at the thick tendril before her, then back up at me.
I lifted her up and put her on my back. Navigating through this wasn't too much of a problem for me. I just had to be careful not to bump into anything, and consider each and every path to take.
Thankfully, she didn't protest against it. On the contrary, actually. She seemed to have welcomed it.
Continuing on our way, I had to divert from the wall again, due to a pile of bodies that lied against it, therefore blocking my path.
Zig zagging through the corridor took a lot longer, but there was no way I was going to risk it. We were still getting somewhere. It was just taking a lot longer than I would have liked.
Ahead of us was another four way intersection, and straight ahead, beyond said intersection, was a large, more complicated door than the ones I had been dealing with earlier. There was a flickering, dirt covered sign that read 'LIBRARY.'
As much as I loved books, I didn't have time to stop and check out their selection.
I proceeded, and one hoof forward had a turret drop down from the ceiling. I nearly jumped out of my hide from the surprise. I was ready to turn around and make a run for it. I'd have brought Fluky to my front to shield her from the imminent attack, once I turned. It quickly spun around, aimed at me, and...
Clicked.
Over and over again, in a rapid annoyance, it clicked at me, refusing to give up its aggression.
Looking around my surroundings, I found that none of the bodies moved or made any noise.
"I guess we're safe..." I spoke quietly, as I looked behind us.
Fluky looked around at the corpses for a bit, before focusing on me. "Can I still stay up here? I don't want to touch them..."
Focusing back on her, I nodded and smiled faintly. "Of course you can." Turning back to the clicking turret that tried in desperate attempts to kill us, I continued. "Looks like it ran out of ammo."
"Gee, I wouldn't have guessed!" She said in a sarcastic tone that had me roll my eyes. "Do you have to state the obvious?"
"Probably." I replied. "Oh, I guess I must have triggered it through proximity! What else could have made it come dow-"
"Yeah, yeah. Shut up." I heard a faint giggle in that voice.
With that, I continued on my way.
The turret followed my movement, still peppering me with imaginary bullets as I passed by.
I stopped before stepping out into the open, as I had been doing whenever we came across an intersection, then peeked my head out and looked both ways.
The left route was blocked by a mountain of lockers, tables, chairs, and dressers.
The right, however, was open to us.
The ground wasn't littered with corpses as much, this way, either. Several dismantled Handy and Gutsy units lied about, however. I could only assume this was Bloodwing's handiwork. Made sense. She appeared to be the more brutal one of that group. It went without saying that they were all aggressive on some level. But Bloodwing... she had pent up anger issues. Not even Sting seemed all that bad. If anything, he was the most considerate of the lot, and that was saying something.
He spared Fluky the trauma and humiliation though. That had to mean something. Maybe he was just a little more decent than the rest? Maybe something happened? Fuck if I knew...
He most definitely wasn't good. But he was reasonable. I wasn't sure if that was good, or if that made him the most dangerous one of that group...
I turned right and started down the only real option we had. The library certainly wasn't going to do.
The corridor turned left at the end. To me, that meant progress.
I stopped at the rolling of wheels, and looking ahead, I noticed the right wall at the far end started to glow red.
I pulled out the pistol from its holster and aimed at where the sentry was going to come from. I didn't know how good a ten mil was going to do against one, but I needed to go this way, and I was tired of the shit in this stable.
... Okay, was it just me, or was it a bit louder than the usual...?
The front half a voluminous, buffer sentry rolled into view. Its protective plating was a polished grayish silver, and between said plating, was a bright green glow. I didn't see any damage inflicted on the machine, after it rolled into the corridor in full view. It was maybe twice the size of a normal one...
It stopped and started to turn. There was no way I could take this on...
I turned and booked it, keeping Fluky on my back. It didn't see me yet, but it was about to if I didn't hurry. If so, I'd bring in her front, just like with the turret. I didn't want her getting hurt...
I could barely live with what I did to her town, as it was.
Just as I turned right, into the hall that led to the library, I heard the sentry speak in a loud, booming volume that put the other sentries to shame.
"SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY DETECTED. INVESTIGATING."
Shit... Shit, shit, shit!
Its wheels started rolling down the corridor again.
I ran for the large, glorified door that led to the library, and hit the button beside it. The locks clicked, and the wheel in the center started to turn, allowing two bars in the mechanism to sink in the ground, while two others raised up into the ceiling. Both sides of the door folded in on themselves and slid into the walls, and only after, did the steel slab in the center slide into the slot in the ground, where two of the four bars hid.
To my surprise, it had actually opened with no problems. But in doing so, it created a lot of noise, as the metal had grinded on each other obnoxiously, causing both Fluky and I to cringe.
I ran inside with no hesitation, spun around - and nearly knocking Fluky off my back in the process - and hit the switch on the other side. As the door reversed its animation, I saw the sentry's red glare, and then the front half of it rolled into view once again. That green glow between the plating had changed to a dark blue.
... And then the door jammed on itself before it could close entirely.
"No, no, no!" I whispered. "Don't do that!"
The sentry started to turn to face us, and I quickly hid behind the center slab that came up about halfway. Fluky jumped off and hid underneath me just as the red glare swept over the slab. A beam of red struck the floor of the library's entrance. We were hidden within the space of the small rectangle of shadow that the slab had created. If she had stayed up there for a second longer, that would have been it for her.
Both sides of the walls were blocked by bookshelves, so those weren't options when it came to hiding elsewhere.
The machine stopped on the other side of the door. I knew it, because its wheels stopped moving just before hitting the other end. Admittedly, they were a bit squeaky.
For moments, we sat there, waiting for it to leave, but it seemed it wasn't going to leave us alone. The tension was getting unbearable... If only getting up and yelling at it to fuck off would actually work...
After what felt like forever, the sphere-like wheels started moving again, and after a few seconds, I peeked around the corner to see it was turning around and heading back down the corridor, therefore giving up its search. Judging by how big it was, there was no way it could fit through the doorframe.
"Ha... Dumb bitch..." I muttered, once it started heading down the way we came, passing the intersection.
I stood up and shook my head, thumping my hoof against the door, annoyed that it didn't close when I needed it to.
It slid closed as easily as it had opened, from there.
That one hit... just one... fucking... hit... and it fixed the jam right up...
I sighed with resigned anger and turned away from it, looking around the room.
The library was probably the cleanest part of this stable when it came to vegetation. But there were books and binders littered around the desk that formed a circle in the center of the room. Certain parts of the walls and floors were stained with brown splotches for obvious reasons, as there were a few skeletons of ponies either under the splashes on the walls, or over the dried up pools on the floor. They were only located towards the center of the room, by the looks of it.
But there were no plants here. No plants whatsoever. And I didn't hear or see any machines here. I wanted to believe we were safe here, but... but I've been wrong before.
I stepped forward, towards a flickering terminal on the surface of the desk in the center. Just like almost every other technological system here, this was useless.
I turned right, first. There was a series of aisles, most of which were left unlabeled. The final six, at the very far end of the long stretch of walkway, had labels, but I couldn't make them out just yet.
Looking to the left, I found more aisles. Reaching the end would take maybe three to four minutes, due to the length between me and it. Both sides were clean of any bodies, which was definitely a nice change of scenery. No bones. No corpses. No old blood stains. Just a few binders and books lying scattered around. I was grateful that the rest of the room wasn't as messy as the center.
There were five labels for the shelves closest to me, but beyond that, it was bare.
M.E.A. -2066
M.E.A. -2067
M.E.A. -2068
M.E.A. -2069
M.E.A. -2070
"Stay here, Fluky..." I said under my breath, before turning around and took a few steps forward, only to stop at the edge of the right aisle. I stared at the far end, looking for any movement; listening for any sound. The room had an old book smell, and nothing more than that. Everything was quiet, save for my breathing. I didn't see anything move. Even between the empty shelves.
Still... I didn't trust anything.
"Come on out!" I shouted in a muffled tone, biting down hard on the grip of the pistol as I kept it aimed forward.
Nothing.
I turned and looked down the other end. In the process, I saw Fluky giving me a worried look. I ignored it and kept to my own business.
"Show yourself!"
"Robutt!" Fluky hissed in a hushed tone.
I glanced over, then looked back down the hall. "What'll it be!?"
She trotted up to me. "Robutt, stop. There's nothing here."
I looked to her, then back to both sides of the library. "Just... wait here. I'm gonna scope the place out, make sure everything is safe..."
"What's wrong with you?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "There's nothing here." She started to raise her voice.
"Better safe than sorry..." I muttered as I started for the right side of the library.
She groaned in frustration and leaned against the desk.


(((((((◉)))))))


Minutes had gone by where I quietly walked forward, looking through each individual aisle I passed by, ready to shoot anything that moved. I didn't know how much time had passed, but I could tell Fluky was getting impatient.
The labels for the right side of the library consisted of five 'L.E.A.'s,' and the last aisle read 'FICTION.' The aisle opposite of that was too tattered and scratched up to read.
With nothing on the L.E.A. side, I turned and doubled back for the M.E.A section. As I started to reach the center of the room, Fluky looked at me with a bored expression. "You done yet?"
I shook my head, and she sighed and smacked the back of her head against the desk behind her. She rubbed the back of it with her hoof as she closed her eyes tight. "Okay, ouch..."
I continued on my way.
Left, nothing. Right, nothing. Moving on.
Left, nothing. Right, nothing. Moving on...
I kept moving forward ever so slowly, being thorough in my search for other hostile life. I didn't want anymore surprises jumping out at me and ripping my gut open... again.
Eventually, I had reached the end, then doubled back to the center once more.
"Okay, now I'm done." I holstered the pistol.
"And?" She looked on with irritation.
"And you were right. Nothing is here. I just needed to be sure."
"You called out to nothing, Robutt!" She threw her arms up in the air. "And nothing came out. I swear, you're just wasting time now. Was that not evidence enough?"
"Guess not." I answered, giving her a simple look.
"What's going on?" She asked in a more serious note, but willing to listen. "You've been acting strange."
I sighed and looked over to the door. "I'm guessing we're not going back out that way. But I found a vent we can use down there." I pointed my hoof towards the L.E.A. side.
"Don't change the subject." She glared and stood up on all fours, inches from my muzzle, once I turned to look back at her. "What's going on with you?"
I sat down and took a deep breath. "Doesn't really matter what's going on with me."
"Stop with the self pity and answer me!"
I hung my head down for a few seconds and sighed, before looking deep into her eyes, then spoke in a somber tone. "I don't trust anything anymore. I've been out here for a little over a week, and I don't trust anything." My answer softened her glare. "I lost trust in the Steel Rangers that I once called family. I lost trust for my own sister. I lost trust for pretty much everything... But worst of all, I lost trust in myself..."
"What are you talking about?" She asked in a more calm, understanding tone.
"My people killed yours. I helped. It all happened so fast, and I couldn't think straight... I got Para killed over my plans to come here, and you were almost..." I stopped myself. I didn't want to say that word. I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to even think it. "And now we're stuck down here, in a stable filled with... whatever the fuck those things are out there, and a bunch of violent tech. I brought us here, because all I wanted to do was help someone, and who knows if they're even alive anymore. Fluky, I messed up. And now we're gonna die down here, because of my own stupid plan to save a pony that's most likely a pile of bones, or one of those things shambling around out there."
And here I was, venting to a filly whose life I destroyed.
Sweet Celestia, I was a goddess damned mess...
I closed my eyes and hung my head down, sighing. I fought my tears. I didn't want to cry. Not because I was a full grown stallion, and crying was considered 'weak' to the male spectrum. No, crying was for everyone, regardless of gender or age. It was a healthy venting source. I didn't want to cry, because I didn't deserve it. And so I did everything in my power to stop it from happening. I was not going to play the victim...
Especially in front of the victim...
I felt a hoof touch my shoulder, and opening my eyes, I saw Fluky's, staring back at mine.
"We're not dead yet, Robutt." She smiled softly. "I know I can't do much, but for what it's worth, I got your back. So long as you got mine."
I smiled back faintly and scoffed, nodding. "You're too smart for your own good, Flukes..." I took her hoof in both of mine, gently squeezing it for reassurance.
And then, while still keeping that smile up, she responded with four words.
"Don't call me that."
I chuckled softly and sat up. "Well, I guess we could take a break here. Wait for things to die down outside a bit. Then move again."
"Sounds like a plan." Fluky looked around. "Mind if I check out some of the books here?"
I turned to the L.E.A. section. Each binder had a lockbox underneath it, in a smaller shelf. "Afraid most of the stuff here is just binders for... whatever this place was used for. But I saw a fiction section at the far end that you can check out."
She nodded, then started to run for the fiction aisle like a filly eager to see her friend after a day of chores.
I laughed a little as I watched her go for it. She occasionally almost slipped on a paper or a binder that had been knocked down off a shelf, but she kept going.
I followed her to the end, but kept myself at a nice trot, until I reached the 2066 aisle.
The left seemed to start off closer to the beginning of the year, while the right reached for the end.
Respectively, I went for the left. Perhaps I'd find something out about this place, for once. Maybe, if I was lucky, find out what happened here.
I went for the end of the aisle, where it started a little before what was once Nightmare Night.
Like most of my knowledge of the past, I obtained it through books. Lots of books. I had a curious mind for what life was like back then.
Some of the binders were missing from the shelves, which I assumed were mixed with others, on the floor. I couldn't go in exact order, but that was fine. I wasn't planning on reading them all, anyways. That would take far too much time that we probably didn't have.
Despite it being close to the ending of the year, they had a lot to say. I imagine I would too, if I was in their situation.
Each binder had a date printed on the side, and so I picked the one that was closest to when the bombs dropped. It wasn't the exact date, and I'm sure they didn't even do anything on that day. They must have all been in shock.
This date was on the 28th. A few days before Nightmare Night.
I sat down and opened the binder, starting from the first page.

:Lab Entry Archive #03:
Date: 10/28/2066
Test: Convenience in Plant Growth Time Duration
Notes:
The chemical that was used in this session only showed negative effects to not just the organic matter, but the soil it resided on, as well. About 0300 hours after applying a drop of the Colodium compound, it had rotted the strawberry seed before it could start to grow, and the soil started to deteriorate due to long term exposure of said compound. Almost immediately after the soil started deterioration, the seed started to show acidic behaviors. A toxin grew in the air around the testing station, which quickly led to the subject being disposed of in a timely manner.
There were moderate casualties, and there is a death count of two. One injured, who is now recovering in the medical bay.
The session was terminated, and the test was recorded as inconclusive.

Plant growth, huh? Something told me that backfired on their part.
I continued reading the rest of the pages, but there weren't very many, and it had nothing to do with plant growth. Just notes on different gems, metals, and minerals, and how they reacted to certain things.
I had no idea what was going on in the rest of the binder, so I gave up about three pages in, put the binder back, then moved on to the next. And the next.
... And the next...
I spent more then enough time skimming through each of the binders, until I actually found something about the plant growth. Everything else just seemed like a waste of time to read about. By the time I had found another entry in regards to the plants, I was much closer to the end of the year, meaning I was towards the end of the aisle opposite from the one I started in.

:Lab Entry Archive #89:
Date: 12/24/2066
Test: Convenience in Plant Growth Time Duration
Notes: Furonite Acitane showed the same, negative effect on each seed we tested, save for one. While every other subject melted upon being exposed to the chemical, apple seeds hardened and petrified within mere seconds of coming in contact. After about three minutes, the soil began to turn red and grow in temperature to the point where the lab had to be evacuated. About a minute after everyone had left, and the room was secured, the sprinkler system and the alarms had both gone off. The water seemed to have an effect on the soil, while still in contact with Furonite Acitane, as it started to grow into an agitated state and swell to voluminous levels. From there, they proceeded to form into what appeared to be a sac, or a larvae of sorts.
Just before they could reach the ceiling, they had exploded, sending red, glowing thorns in each direction. Thorns have been taken in for further research.
There were no casualties.
The session was terminated after coming to the conclusion that all seeds, soils, and fertilizers ended with the same results. The test was recorded as non-applicable.

So far, it seemed like the chemicals they were using hated organic life.
I flipped to the next page, expecting a continuation of their tedious research on metals, minerals, and gems.
Instead, I found the notes on the thorn study.

:Lab Entry Archive #89:
Date: 12/24/2066
Test: Research on Thorn
Notes:
Each thorn from the Furonite Acitane incident appeared to be the same size in width and length as all the others. (6 inches in width, 12 inches in length). This includes all thorns, even if they had emerged from a separate sac. The reasoning behind this anomaly remains unknown, but further studies will occur in the near future, regarding this subject.
Each individual subject to this cause has a dark, red, polished texture to it. Upon closer inspection, it became known that, like the seed in the experiment prior to this one, they appear petrified.
These specimens show no reaction to Furonite Acitane, or any other element from the periodic table.
The session was terminated, and the samples were stored away in Cold Storage Cell #309. The test was recorded as inconclusive.

Okay, I couldn't really talk, but... These scientists didn't seem to know what they hell they were doing. I read three entries so far, and they hadn't solved anything. In fact, it looked like they went overboard on the research, seeing as the stable was overrun with... quite a bit, actually. Not just one creature, but plant life, and robots. Probably even more than that. Good one, guys. Ya done fucked up.
I decided to finally check on what was inside the small boxes underneath the binders, but was only greeted with a hard drive that I assumed contained a - now - corrupt, digital copy of the same thing I was reading. The EMP could have wiped out all virtual memory of this place...
I started to head for the next aisle, until I heard Fluky talking to herself quietly. I stopped and listened.
"Whoa... I never saw anything like this, before..."
Oh... OH!
I trotted out of the aisle and stopped behind her. "What are you reading, Fluky?" I asked curiously.
"Some comic." She kept her eyes fixated on the page. "There's a lot of fighting going on in it. I don't know why, but... I really like it."
I peeked over her shoulder.
That wasn't a comic...
"Fluky, uh..."
"I mean, the story isn't all that good. If there even is one. I can't tell. And they keep introducing all these new characters with like, no context or backstory, but man... there's just something about it that just... heh... gets me excited." She flipped to a new page and stared at the steel grey buck who mounted a pink coated mare, rutting her, the way nature intended. They looked like they were both having a great time together. Fuck, I missed those days... It's been a while, for sure. "I noticed they're never really saying anything, either. And some of the pages are kinda stuck to each other for some reason. I mean, if you're gonna eat while reading, at least be respectful about it and keep it out of the books! Other people wanna read too, ya know!" She gestured her hoof to the page as she complained.
"Um..." I stepped around her and grabbed the comic... the 'comic.'
"Wha-hey!" She stood up quickly.
I looked away nervously, and she reached out for it to try and take it back. I closed it and slid it in my bag with the ammo, then looked at her. "Fluky... you're not ready for the talk of the birds and the bees, just yet."
"Birds and the bees?" She stopped trying to get the 'comic' back, and raised a brow, looking at me. "What do you mean?"
Oh Goddess, she had no idea what she just got into...
"Birds, bees, trains, tunnels. When you're older, you can have the uh... comic... back." I shook my head hard. "That's all I'm gonna say. You'll understand when you're older." Seriously, who leaves behind a playpony magazine in a library that mostly consisted of scientific data? A used playpony magazine, no less!
... WHY DID I HAVE TO ASK THAT QUESTION TO BEGIN WITH!?
Fluky pouted and hung her head down, but submitted. "Well... ugh... fine..."
"It's for the best." I answered, refusing to look back at her as I made my way forward. She followed close behind.
In all honesty, I felt slightly aroused from what I saw in that magazine. I'd just have to take care of that later...
"I noticed you were reading some stuff." She started in a sulky tone. "What did you find?"
"Eh. Just some science mumbo jumbo. Nothing fancy."
"So, does this mean we're leaving?"
I nodded and glanced back. "Yep. So long as you're ready to."
"I mean..." She paused, and I focused on her. She looked a bit shy. "This feeling... I wanna do something, I just don't know what."
"I know what it is, and I'd rather you didn't." I said quickly, taking a deep breath after. "And everything you saw in that magazine... I'd really appreciate it if you didn't do that with anyone, at your age." I turned to face forward once more, then resumed walking, until I found the vent I mentioned earlier, in the side of the wall, at the end of an aisle. "So, I'll ask again. Are you ready to go?"
She sighed and nodded. "Yes."


(((((((◉)))))))


We were back to crawling through the air ducts, which I had truly realized that, at this time, was definitely the safest route to take. Through each vent, I had witnessed a lot more security patrols of sentries as big as the one that had nearly caught us in the library, as well as bulkier Handy and Gutsy units. They all had the bright green glow between the armor plating, and their weapons were both bigger, deadlier, and extended farther, by the looks of it.
I had my fair share of gut extraction for one lifetime. Just looking at the sawblade made my stomach tighten.
The gunfire, I could handle. It hurt like a bitch, but I could take it. But buzzsaws...
And that wasn't all...
Some of the fungal creatures stumbled around the corridors below us, wandering aimlessly. Some bumped into each other, walls, or even other machines, who ignored them and continued on their way.
I shuddered from the creatures, and the sight of the saws, as I looked down through the vent. Fluky tapped me on the shoulder, and I looked back at her. She shared a sympathetic look and nodded silently.
I nodded back and continued forward.
Eventually, we had reached a dead end in the shaft. Below us was a vent that dropped down into a corridor, where a door remained shut. Next to the vent, was a yellow tinted, flickering sign that read 'RECREATION.'
We didn't hear anything close by, and heading back and going through another route sounded like a bad idea. This was the first real 'exit' we had actually found out of the residential section. This was a good place to stop at.
At least... I hoped so.
We removed the vent, and Fluky peeked her head out to look around her surroundings. After a few seconds, she came back up and looked at me. "Clear." She whispered.
One by one, we got out and landed on the floor. The softer landing on the dirt had silenced our fall, so I had no worries that we alerted our presence.
After looking down the stretch of corridor to find that we were still in the clear, we turned to each other, then to the door behind us. I pressed the button beside the large door, like the one the library had, and watched as it folded in on itself and slid into the walls and floor.
Beyond that was something I hadn't entirely expected.
There was a forest, and in this forest, a park, with fancy street lights, cobblestone walkways, and benches. Birds sang their songs. The light air was ever so sweet. The trees were healthy, green, and strong. Sunlight shot down through the leaves on their branches in beams, mixing with an early morning fog.
I stepped forward onto the cobblestone path, and Fluky followed; her jaw dropped.
Yeah, that's about how I felt, too...
I looked up at a bright blue, sunlit sky; only a few streaks of white, puffy cloud had floated on by.
I closed the door behind us, in case something had the bright idea to sneak up behind us and attack. If something was in here with us, I guess we were screwed either way.
This was something I wanted to leave uninterrupted.
It was like how the books I read as a colt described it, but better. This must have been what life was like before the war. The air itself was addicting. The books had left a lot out... This was so much better to experience in person. I wanted to sit here forever and just take in the beauty... one breath at a time.
And then the sky flickered out, before turning to black. The birds died, and the sweet air turned musty and old. The room grew dead silent, save for our breath. The temperature quickly dropped.
"What just happened...?" Fluky asked softly, as if she were scared to talk too loud.
"I'm not su-"
The sky flickered back to existence, but instead of that wonderful, blue sky, and that glorious, bright sun, we were only greeted with large, green, digital text.


>REBOOTING


A few seconds went by, and the text disappeared. The birds resumed singing. The gentle breeze brushed through the leaves and blades of grass. Brushed past our coats. The sun and sky was back.
"I knew it was too good to be true..." I muttered, then looked down at her as she studied her surroundings with narrow eyes. "It's just a digital recreation."
"What a shame..." She said quietly. "For a second there, I thought we stepped into another dimension."
"Keep dreamin', Flukes..." I spoke in a somber tone.
She sighed and looked away. "Don't call me that."


(((((((◉)))))))


As we ventured through the park's walkway, the scenery would black out every so often, which had us stop dead in our tracks and listen for anything that could be in the area, just in case we weren't alone. I hated being out in the dark like this. I felt... exposed. I wouldn't put it past anything to lurk in the dark and stalk us.
When the sun and sky came back, and the birds crackled back to life through the speakers, we took a look at our surroundings to make sure we were in the clear, before moving on. So far, it seemed to be only us.
Still... I didn't trust it. I couldn't. I wasn't letting my guard down again.
Eventually, after what felt like an hour of walking cautiously, stopping when the lights turned out, checking our surroundings when they came back on, and kept walking, we had come across a dry fountain with a statue of a pony standing on its rears, pointing up at the digital sky with one forehoof while staring up.
The pathway circled the structure, and went off in two different directions.
Beyond the fountain was a small lake. I stepped up to the shore. This was the first one I had ever really seen outside, and it wasn't really outside. Wasn't that just sad?
This time, Fluky stayed behind to observe the statue on the fountain.
The fog was heavier over the water, so there wasn't much to see ahead, but as I stopped at the edge of the grass and looked down at my reflection, a small tide distorted my image.
Water wasn't supposed to move like that, unless there was something in it... right?
I backed up and pulled out the 10 mil., and aimed it ahead as the waves started to gradually get bigger and more restless. Something was splashing in the distance, but I couldn't see anything.
"Fluky...?" I said softly. Soon enough, my rump hit the outer rim of the fountain. "Fluky, we need to go..."
"What? What are you ta-"
I turned to look at her, biting down on the grip of the pistol, then nodded off to the lake as the water continued its splashes.
She stopped and stared in silence for a few seconds, before turning back to me. "Whatever it is, don't fight it." She whispered.
"I don't intend to." I whispered back as best I could, while remaining coherent. "	Which is why I said we. Need. To. Go."
She quickly nodded, then stopped to think to herself for a bit, before turning back the way we came. "You don't mean back there, do you...?"
I shook my head. "Follow me..."
With that, we silently made our way to the path, left of the fountain. The waves were getting louder, as if something was walking... walking towards us...
I glanced to my right to see, even through the thick fog over the water, a giant black lump moving in the distance.
Then, the sun turned off...
I slowed down a little and put my hoof on Fluky's back, bringing her to my pace. I wasn't going to stop, but I wasn't going to be reckless, either.
The water sloshed and splashed against the land, before I heard - and felt - several heavy thumps against the ground, coming closer...
It stopped behind me, and I heard a chittering, along with a series of clicks...
The sun turned on.
Before I could turn around and see what it was, Fluky was already screaming in horror, and I was knocked forward.
I quickly recovered and spun around to see a creature with two antennae, an intimidating set of serrated mandibles that clicked together as it stared down at me with those large, dark eyes, and a black, shiny, massive exoskeleton around its head, thorax, and abdomen. Its legs were serrated at the ends, as well.
I never read about beetles being this size before...
I quickly aimed up at its head and pulled the trigger repeatedly, striking the creature. That seemed to do fuck all for me...
Instead, the insect seemed to get more agitated and charged at me. Before I could move out of the way with little no warning, it had grabbed a hold of my hindleg with its mandibles and raised me in the air, swinging me around as I screamed and fought, therefore losing the grip of my gun.
Oh, I was gonna be sick...
That was the least of my worries, though. I could feel my hoof being torn into by the serrated edges of the mandibles, and as each second passed, it cut deeper to the bone... I could feel it starting to crack...
My body was flung across the path, until my back struck the trunk of a tree. I heard the bang of metal as a sharp pain shot up in my spine and the back of my head. I couldn't scream. I couldn't move. Everything was ringing and throbbing.
My weight shifted to one side, and I laid there on the grass, watching the beetle approach to finish me off.
Fluky... Where was Flukes...? Did she make it out...?
I felt blood spill from my leg and pool around the limb. The room was growing colder...
Everything started getting blurry, and the sound was growing quieter as the beast approached...
Then, I heard a muffled shout of a familiar filly.
"Over here, bug butt!" I heard a few gunshots, and the silhouette of the beetle turned to face a blurry Fluky. "Oh... man, you're big... Uh..." She shook her head and stared up at the monster. "Y-Yeah, that's right! Come and get me, you big ol' meanie! Filly fillet is on the menu!" She paused as she started to back up. "Can't believe I just said that..." With that, she turned and ran through the woods as the beetle started to chase after her. "Gotta try harder than that!"
I tried to force myself back up, but in doing so, I both heard and felt something snap, therefore causing me to collapse on my back and groan.
I just barely managed to turn my head to my right, towards the forest that Fluky ran in. The back of my neck was going through absolute hell, as was the rest of my back... and my hoof... again.
Didn't I just get that healed up?
Fluky ran through the forest, circling around the metal trees as the oversized beetle came charging after her, knocking anything down that got in its way.
She jumped up, bit down on a hanging vine, and ripped it from the tree, providing her a decent amount of the stuff. She continued running, letting the rest of it drag along the ground behind her, until I couldn't see her anymore. Too many trees blocked my view.
And then the sun turned off.
I could hear metal creaking in the distance, and 'trees' being torn from the ground and come tumbling down. It grew more distant as time went on. I couldn't see anything. Only listen.
Then, quite suddenly, a bright white light flashed through the trees in the horizon, like the moon lighting up a dark  land, or a spotlight flashing on and aiming at me.
When the sun came back, Fluky didn't... and the sound of the trees falling had ceased. I was growing more worried each second.
I forced myself to stand up, crying out in agony as I did. My spine and hoof were both protesting through the whole effort, and I really wanted to fall back down and never get up again. But if I had anything to say about it, that wasn't going to happen. And so far, I did.
I moved for the newly made path that the beetle had made through sheer brute force, picked up the pistol that lied on the grass at the entrance, holstered it, and made my way into the forest. A lot of trees that had fallen were in the way, and so I had to make some detours here and there, making my journey last a lot longer than it should have. I couldn't go over them with my condition. I wasn't going to even try. I already knew I'd regret it. Hell, I was regretting just getting up. It was hard enough just walking at the slow pace that I was.
In taking these detours, I got to see that the inside of the trunks consisted of a series of wires and circuitry. For what it was for, I had no clue.
Farther in, I heard the clicks of the beetle's mandibles going at it. I could see the top of its body moving around frantically.
Please... No. Don't tell me...
"Hey there, Robutt."
I quickly swung my head to the right - which was a horrible idea - to see Fluky standing there with a smile as she panted.
Oh, my head... Why did I do that...?
"You alright?" She asked, raising a brow.
I smiled back and sighed with relief, though I was still in a great deal of pain. "I'll... be okay. You?"
"Oh, I'm fine." She grinned. "Got that giant bug tied up pretty good when the light show on the ceiling vanished." She glanced up at the digital sun.
"You..." I peeked over the tree trunk in my way to see it struggling against the vines that she had grabbed earlier. Ohhh my neck... They went around every leg several times, and for extra measure, the rest of it wrapped around the abdomen, keeping its wings from expanding. That is, if it had any. I wasn't sure, yet. I looked back to Fluky, smiling. "How did you do that?" I already knew the answer, but I wanted to see if she knew.
"Honestly..." She put her hoof to her muzzle, looking down and thinking hard. "I'm not quite sure... I just... did it." She sat down, now realizing what she did. "I might have actually blacked out... I remembered the lights going out, and I got scared. Super scared. Next thing I know, I'm standing there, the power is back on, and I'm staring at a tied down beetle. What if..." She looked up at me with wonder. "What if there's somepony else here, helping us?"
"Doubt it." I replied with a skeptical look. "Told ya before, you have a magical talent. Maybe it kicked in."
"You... really think I did..." She looked over at the beetle questioningly, as if it was going to answer for her. "That...?"
I nodded with a faint smile. "Yes."
"Hm..." She thought quietly to herself for a while, then gasped and stood up quickly, as if she had just had a great idea for something. "Maybe I got a cutiemark as a monster hunter!" She beamed at me, before turning to look at her flank, only to be disappointed by its blank, yellow, canvas. She frowned and looked back down at the ground before her, kicking some dirt aside with a hoof. "Pooey..."
I laughed softly and looked back the way I came. "One day, Flukes... One day."
"Don't call me that." She spoke behind clenched teeth. I looked back at her to see her roll her eyes at me.
I poked my head back over the tree trunk to watch the insect.
It wasn't giving up against the vines. Maybe it would escape. Few hours. Few days, maybe? But I wasn't going to be around when it did.
I wasn't going to kill it, either. I had enough blood on my hooves. It was trying to survive like the rest of us. We invaded its home. We were the intruders. We were the bad guys. I couldn't kill it for that...
"We should go." I said, looking back down the way we came.
"Are you sure?" She asked, giving me a skeptical look. "I mean... I saw how you hit that tree. Figured you'd wanna rest your back or something." She paused once I gave her a blank expression, then continued as she glanced at my rear hoof with a grimace. "The way you've been walking makes me think you need it. I'll see what I can do about that hoof."
Yeahhh... She was probably right. Otherwise, I'd die from blood loss. I was already halfway there...
I nodded in agreement. "'Kay... Ten minutes, then we go." I glanced back at the bug, before turning back to her. "But let's get somewhere safe, first."
> Channel 000.8; Roots of Something Bigger
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just a friendly reminder to all you would-be bigots out there, ghouls are people too. You see, children, ghouls are simply humans who've been exposed to an ungodly amount of radiation and haven't had the good fortune to die. Sure, they may look like hideous zombies from an old monster flick, but their hearts, their souls, their tears are all very much human. So please, if you meet one of the Capital Wasteland's many ghouls, leave your prejudice at the door and your pistol in its holster. Ah yes, one important caveat, kiddies. Those feral ghouls that prefer the dark, dank underground? They are basically mindless zombies. So kill as many as you damn well please.


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Together Fluky and I sat, in a small opening surrounded by... trees. It'd have made a good spot for a campfire, if the trees weren't made of metal. These branches weren't exactly flammable...
Whose idea was it to make metal trees?
Oh, don't mind me! Just gonna turn nature's oxygen supply into fucking metal! Hey! While I'm at it, why don't I just go ahead and turn the air into chlorine!?
Ugh... my back hurts... and my head... and everything else...
It was safe to assume that I wasn't in a good mood, considering my situation...
I lied down in the grass - which, to my surprise, was real grass - and stared up at the virtual sky, until it went dark on me. The two of us remained dead silent the whole time we were blinded. When it came back, Fluky turned and looked at me.
"You alright?"
"Come back to me with that question in an hour and try again."
She lied down on her stomach and looked out at the moderate stretch of bridge ahead, on the path, maybe a few dozen yards away. On the other side, was the door out of this place. At least... I hoped it was. It was kind of hard to tell. For all I knew, it could have led to another section of the residential area.
Please don't let it lead there...
About a minute passed by, and I felt my rear hoof get raised, which only agitated the entire limb...
I looked down to see Fluky by my side, holding it up. She glanced at me, then returned to my hoof. She proceeded to prod at the injury, to which I winced, groaned, and jolted a bit. She took her hoof away immediately.
"Sorry about that..." She gently set it down on the grass and went for a hanging vine. "I'm gonna have to patch it up." She bit down on the nearest vine and ripped it loose from the tree it hung from, then came back. "Unfortunately, we'll have to make do with what we got."
"Wait, whoa..." I sat up, wincing, and she looked at me in worry. I put my hooves over my injury. "That doesn't sound like a good idea... What about infection?"
She looked on for a few seconds in thought, then dropped the vine in her mouth with a nod of understanding. "Hm..." She proceeded to look around. "Well... I'm not exactly seeing other alternatives..." Then she turned to the bridge... "I'll be right back."
"Flukes, no!" I started to get up, but a sharp pain in my leg flared up, causing me to moan and lie back down. It was astonishing I was still conscious at this point.
"Don't call me that." She replied, heading off for the bridge. "I'll be back. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
"Fluky..." I tried to get up again, but my leg and back both worked together to keep me down. "Damn it, don't!"
She returned to me and looked down, deep in my eyes. "If I don't, you'll die." She stated with mild worry in her voice.
"Then I'll get what's coming." I shook my head with worry. "Don't go..."
She gently placed her hoof on my cheek and looked on, smiling sadly. "You're allowed to die when I say you can. Right now is not that time." With that, she ran off for the bridge.
"Fluky!" I called out. "Don't-AGH!" My hoof was flared up and burning, and my back was aching like nothing I had ever felt before. "Fluky!"
There was no response.
Goddess damn it... I swear, if anything happened to her...
I wouldn't be able to handle that...
I was stuck there with the recording of birds chirping, until everything in here shut down, then had everything reboot and continue their singing.
Whenever the lights went out, I imagined something would come out and finish me off. Or that, when they came back on, I'd be face to face with one of those fungal things...
I kept my ears open for anything when everything turned off, but all I heard was my own panicked breathing, the rapid beating in my chest, and the distant struggles of the beetle that Fluky had trapped.
I didn't know what was keeping me alive this long... Fate? Karma? Adrenaline? I should've passed out long ago, but I was fading away slowly, rather than what would have been the norm for my situation.
Still... Over time, I found it harder to keep my eyes open... I was losing too much blood...
Too... much...


(((((((◉)))))))


The air was hot and heavy with fire and ash. Sweat dripped down my form in mere seconds of being exposed to the outside.
The sky glowed red overhead, with the same wide patches of black I had seen earlier. The screams of souls cried out once more in a choir. Looking to the horizons, in every direction, was a torn and desiccated city. The bloody skies blanketed over the land for as far as the naked eye could see. I had noticed something else, as well...
I could see the park in the far distance, but the vortex that was once behind it, appeared to be gradually moving off towards the east, as if drawn by something. As it slowly swept past, more of the white orbs were ripped from the earth, sucking them up like a vacuum; ensnaring them.
I stood upon the tower that still remained standing upright, and looking down, I was greeted by the massive field of gore that consisted of... trees...
I had noticed my hoof wasn't hurting anymore. I didn't know if that meant that I was dead, or if I was just too out of it to feel anymore. Either way, it wasn't something worth celebrating.
"It's a beautiful day, yes?" Someone spoke from behind in a rather charming voice. Slightly cheerful, too. I spun around and looked at the silver coated stallion, standing there with a grin as clean as...
... Para's...
The gunshot in his chest was left untreated, but he didn't seem to pay it any mind. His mane was black, raggedy, and covering one eye, like a certain pony I saw on billboards and posters...
"Who... who are you...?" I asked, keeping my distance.
He gestured to himself and spoke with confidence. "I am Happy." Then he pointed a hoof to me. "And you must be Charger."
"How do you know my name?"
He gave an amused 'hmph' and looked on with blue eyes. "Well, why wouldn't I?" He paused, putting a hoof to his muzzle and thought to himself with pursed lips as I stared quietly. "That question kind of answers itself, doesn't it...?" He reached out a hoof and smiled once more, looking at me. "I suppose we haven't formerly been introduced."
"Your face is on billboards and posters." I stated simply.
He put his hoof down, and his smile faded. "Yes, well... I've taken better pictures than that..." That grin came back. "Smaller too, if ya want something for your wallet."
"How are you here?"
That question seemed to kill that grin, and he looked on with a more serious expression, as if I had offended him. "I beg your pardon?"
"The billboards couldn't have been put up after the bombs. Which means you were around before that happened. So, you're either a copycat killer, or you're the real thing. Though that could be unlikely... I mean... Look at you. You haven't aged a day. I'm... finding it hard to decide my theory..." I observed him carefully. Yep, he looked exactly like the one in the poster... But the poster was offering caps for him, which meant that he had also done things after the war... right? Ugh... This was giving me a headache. I loved a good mystery book, but this was beyond my skills. "There were some things said on a billboard, claiming you were a murderer and a psychopath. What's that all about?" I narrowed my eyes.
"False accusations." He waved a hoof, dismissing what I had said and looking to his left with mild irritation on his features. "I only made people happy. They always smiled."
"How?"
He looked back at me with a raised brow. "How what?"
"Come on, you know what." I rolled my eyes. "How did you make ponies happy?"
"By giving them what they sought."
"And what exactly did they seek?" I asked quickly.
"Freedom." That grin came back once more. "They sought freedom, and so I gave to them what others feared to give. I gave to them their desires. The others hated it, because they thought it was against the rules. They thought it as evil. And so I was punished for it."
"You killed."
"That's where you're mistaken, Charger." He stepped forward, and I stepped back, closer to the ledge. My rear hoof nearly slipped off, but I quickly corrected myself, looking at the ledge. He gently put his hoof on the side of my face, turning me to face him with ease, as if it were a romantic gesture. Our eyes locked with each other, and he smiled warmly. "I helped ponies. I could help you."
Okay, maybe I was dead, because my heart would have been thumping hard inside me right now, and it wasn't. I couldn't feel anything in there but a cold emptiness...
I glanced around our surroundings, before locking eyes with him again, hoping I could change the topic. "Where are we?"
He put his hoof down, but kept his muzzle less than in inch from mine. "Saddle. My hometown. It's been a while, I'll admit."
"Why does it look like this?" I gestured to the ruins.
"What do you mean?" He raised a brow and looked around, before returning to me again. "It's always looked like this."
I spun back to him. "Always looked like..." I shook my head hard. "Okay then..." I spoke in disbelief of what I just heard. "Why are we up here?" I still hated the idea of heights...
"Mm." He nodded. "Yeah, I was hoping you could help me with that. See, I seem to have misplaced something, and I can't find it. Will you help me?"
Something told me that if I refused, I'd be dead. Though, that didn't seem like much of a difference now. Still, I may as well have played along. Maybe it'd save me from getting tortured for the horrible things I've done.
"What did you lose?"
He grinned at my reply and spoke. "I lost a battery."


(((((((◉)))))))


The real world - or, what I hoped was the real world - rushed back to me with a sudden, sharp pain in my chest. I gasped hard; my lungs wheezing as oxygen flooded the air sacs. I almost shot up from the shock, but my body preferred to stay down at the moment.
Then, somehow, everything started feeling better. I felt stronger. Much stronger. Much more awake. Much more alive. The pain subsided.
I opened my eyes, and Fluky stood before me, pulling a syringe out of my chest with her teeth, before dropping it between us. She regarded my coolly. "What did I say about you dying?"
Panting, I couldn't help but be playful. "To die without your permission?"
She raised a brow. "Funny." She paused, then added. "I got five more of those needles to stab into your chest, should the need..." Her eyes moved over my form, up and down, while her head remained still. "... Arise."
I smiled faintly and spoke with sarcasm. "I'll definitely look forward to that."
She shook her head and revealed some bandages. "Hold still, you butt. I need to take care of your leg."
I kept my back against the grassy surface and looked up at the sky... er... the 'sky,' as Fluky got to work on my leg. There were still sudden, sharp pains that flared up at her touch, but it wasn't enough to make me jolt.
I felt a liquid pour over it, and that's when the entire vicinity burned like hell... That made me jolt a bit. A lot, actually. I looked down shortly after, to find Fluky was in between my legs, observing and cleaning the area with alcohol.
"Where did you find all that stuff, anyways?" I winced.
She glanced at me and smirked, before resuming her operation. "Around."
"Thanks for painting a picture." I said flatly. "I mean, what's ahead?"
She looked behind her, then back at me, pointing a hoof the other way. "A tree."
...
I stared flatly, before sighing with exasperation. I swear, she was as bad as Fire with her snarky attitude...
Finally, she chuckled and shook her head, before putting the bottle of alcohol down and going for the bandages. "Looks like a medical wing, but further in, it starts becoming more..." She paused, but continued wrapping the fabric around my leg. "I don't know how to put it... Mechanical?" She looked to me for clarification, but I just shrugged. "There was an entrance to a mine or something, but the door is fused shut. There were a lot of sentries around that area anyways, so I steered clear."
I nodded and looked at her sincerely. "Thank you, Fluky. I wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for you."
She smiled faintly, then averted her eyes back to my leg. "Well..." She gently set it down after tying it off. "I think that'll do for now."
A sudden realization washed over me. I had died. Or... at the very least, came very close to it. Close enough that I stopped breathing. This place would have been my steel coffin, if it wasn't for that needle. Fluky was doing more good for me than I was for her... My life seemed to be in her hooves on more than one occasion.
Sweet Celestia, the surface was biza-wait... I'm not on the surface. The underground was just as bizarre as the rest of the world, I guess.
... I dunno...


(((((((◉)))))))


I was back to limping on three hooves. There was no way I was going to even attempt putting any pressure on my injured hoof. Judging by how it looked, it'd fall off if I tried.
The stretch of bridge curved upwards, allowing me to see only the top of the door ahead. Fluky must have closed it when she came back. She was playing it safe. I liked that.
We got to the door, and I looked over at her. "So, did you by any chance find any healing potions when you went in here?"
She shook her head slowly. "Sorry... Otherwise, I would've just used that on you."
I sighed and patted her head gently. "It's okay." With that, I hit the door switch, to which the door folded in on itself, moving aside to grant us entry.
We stepped forward together in a plant-infested corridor. The lights hummed softly above us, while all else was silent.
There were two signs ahead; one pointed left, while the other pointed right. The one on the left read 'MACH. MANUFACTURE' while the other read 'MINE.'
"Did you check out the left?" I asked quietly, keeping my eyes ahead, but leaning closer to her.
"Tried." She replied. "But honestly, it's best if we don't..." I looked at her, to which she resumed. "Sentries and those spider-like robots that float... They just kept coming out of that room in never ending waves..."
Yikes... I really didn't want to have to deal with any of that...
"There's a vent to the right." She continued as she made her way forward. "Follow me."
She had the right idea. It was best to just travel through the air ducts from here on out. There was just too much dangerous activity going around, and all Fluky had was a baton that she could barely lift with her magic, if at all, and all I had was a pistol, with not a whole lot of ammo. Even then, it was kind of useless. I wanted to avoid as much fighting as possible.
We turned right, at the intersection, and came to a stop at a vent in the wall - and found that I was correct about them being maintenance hatches, judging by the label above the grate - and crawled inside, one after the other. She got in first, since she had more knowledge of this section than I. Where she had little, I had none.
The stronger additions of the sentries, Handy's, and Gutsy's patrolled the grid in teams of three... As if they weren't strong enough as it was... Sheesh...
Their one major flaw was that they didn't seem to think of anything traveling through air ducts. As long as we stayed quiet, then we wouldn't have any troubles.
Then I noticed something strange as I looked down through one of the grates...
The ground consisted of quite a lot of distorted pony faces; all the same color... And I use the term 'pony' lightly. Really, it was those fungal abominations. Their coats were pancaked against the floor, with the tread marks of sentry wheels embedded into them.
They must have gotten in their way, and because of that, they were run over repeatedly, over and over again, for as long as they've been patrolling the same section. The machines weren't shooting at them, for some reason. That much was revealed, back in the residential area of 32.
We continued on our way. I was hoping none of those fungal things would be there, but this place had been compromised long ago, unfortunately. It seemed the entire stable was overrun with them, specifically. The robots were a hassle, yes. But the pony... tentacle... things... they were far worse. They traveled in massive numbers, had a decent reach to them, and did... unexplainable things to their... prey.
I shuddered and closed my eyes just at the thought of that griffin getting pulled into the creature's stomach, screaming and trying to break free as it 'fed' him...
The metal surroundings started to creak, causing us both to stop. Fluky looked back at me, and I at her; both of us concerned, judging by how I felt, and her expression.
Then our floor fell, and us with it.
So... it probably wasn't a good idea for us to stop over a weak spot in the vent...
There was no telling where we were, before the fall. We had been going for a while, with only one choice ahead of us.
Fluky screamed as we plummeted down, and in less than a second, we struck the surface.
"Gah!" A Handy shouted in their posh tone. "Intruders!"
"Fuck me sideways..." I shook my head and quickly pulled out the baton, slid it over to a slowly recovering Fluky, who wouldn't have known it was there, had it not bumped into her hip, and unholstered the pistol. My tongue worked around the trigger.
Fluky bit down on the grip of the baton.
Suddenly, the screeching of metal on metal occurred just outside the shaft. My ears rang with the horrible piercing that traveled through the sound waves. I had nearly pulled the trigger from the surprise, which would have ended in Fluky having a bullet up her ass.
I quickly looked away, just in case I did end up firing on accident.
A buzzsaw worked its way through the top right hoof corner of the shaft, trying to break in. I quickly backed up from the weapon that gradually cut through.
My heart thumped hard enough that it was starting to hurt... Bad. Fear grew inside me faster than my newly developed hate for buzzsaws.
It was going to gut me... I was going to die. No, no... please, fuck... NO! Don't let it get me! I don't want to die!
Fluky crawled for the other end, and before leaving, looked back at me. I saw her mouth moving, as if she were talking. I couldn't understand her. I couldn't hear her. Only the buzzing of saws against metal...
I stared at her for what must have been minutes. The saw had almost cut between us completely. Then her horn flashed a bright yellow, her eyes glowed white, and her voice boomed through the waves.
"MOVE!"
I snapped out of it and shook my head. Her eyes went dim, returning to her normal colors. The aura around her horn disappeared, and she shook her head, rubbing her temple and blinking as she looked around her surroundings. Ignoring the saw, I backed out immediately. Fluky started to crawl out the other end, after seeing me do it.
Three of the bigger, upgraded Handy units hovered there, waiting eagerly to deal with their 'intruders.' The light between the plating wasn't green, or even blue for that matter, but instead, a bright red.
I quickly aimed at the one closest to me, which had been digging into the air duct we were once in. One of its three eyes circled around to face me. "Ah ha! Found you!"
I pulled the trigger twice, but they just deflected off its frame, not leaving so much as a dent. It pulled its buzzsaw free from the duct, and its three arms rotated, only to aim a device with a lit blowtorch on the end, just below a small gun barrel.
The other two seemed to share the same idea...
I turned around as fast as the armor would allow me and booked it for the nearest thing I could find for shelter; a metal desk.
Before I could even get around it, they had doused me in flame. The heat grew on my back and rear excessively, and I was already starting to sweat, after just a second of it. Fire danced in the corners of my vision as I ran...
But I had noticed that it didn't hurt. I had expected horrible, agonizing pain that would scorch my hide and boil my skin; that would eventually kill me for good and leave me as a barbecue.
Instead, there was just an increase in temperature that was more annoying than it was painful.
I ducked behind the desk as pillars of fire shot out at me. I spared myself maybe a few seconds of time, if that. This pistol was useless here. I needed something stronger...
I would have loved guns like Bloodwing's, right about now...
My eyes darted for the left as I prepped myself to jump out of cover and start shooting again, despite my chances of having anything successfully hit being quite slim. That's when I noticed the drawer beside me was left ajar. Inside, I caught the glimpse of a clip, along with a box of ammo.
I yanked it open and quickly pocketed both the clip and the box. Chances were I'd be needing it very soon, assuming I survived this. I had more than enough doubt that it'd work against these units, but every little bit helped. Maybe one of my shots would get lucky and hit something vital.
The large torrent of flame that swept over the surface of the desk had ceased, and I could hear the Handy's advancing from both sides, flanking me.
My armor sizzled from the abuse it had endured as I stayed crouched, ready to fire at the one that would come out before me. If I was lucky, I could turn fast enough and fire at that one too, if the first one was stunned, or better yet, expired. That was more unlikely, however. So I prepared to evade, if I couldn't at least stun it.
I caught the very edge of a buzzsaw start to come out of cover from the desk, before Fluky shouted.
"Hey, you big cyber bullies! Go beat each other up for caps, or something!"
Or something? Seriously...?
The buzzsaw retreated from my view. "Come here, you immature midget!"
She scoffed. "Midget!? I'm not a mi-" She stopped, only to release another scoff.
I shook my head, clenched my teeth down on the grip harder, came out from the cover that the desk offered, and opened fire on the Handy closest to Fluky, getting ready to cut into her. As I had expected, the round ricocheted off its metal plating...
... And struck me in the head.
I fell back, groaning, as a sharp, ringing pain lingered in my temple. Placing my hoof over where the bullet had struck, I felt a flattened piece of metal stuck in a tiny crater in my helmet. If I hadn't been wearing that...
Okay, deep thoughts for later...
I shook my head to try and snap out of it and focus, then got up. My head still hurt, but there was nothing I could do about that at the moment. The armor was strong enough to not make me pass out, or better yet, die. I wasn't going to look a gift-horse in the mouth.
I grabbed a hold of my pistol, which had fallen from my grip when I got shot, then aimed it back at the Handy units, firing in random order. Concentrate, Charger... Concentrate!
They were still going for Fluky, who was giving them the run-around, clanging her baton against anything she passed by to keep their attention on her... and it was working.
What wasn't working were these bullets against their armor. What were these machines made of!?
After repeated pings and ricochets, which had me ducking back for cover for a few seconds each time, my gun had finally clicked. I ejected the clip, letting it drop to the ground, to which I grabbed a fresh one from my pouch, slid it into the gun, and cocked the chamber back.
Retreating from cover, it came to my attention that they had cornered Fluky and were getting ready to cut into her. She tried running under them, but one of them grabbed a hold of her, keeping her from escaping.
"No!" She shouted. "Get off me!" She turned and looked at me... looked at me with those eyes I've seen one too many times before...
I pulled the trigger...
Three Handy's became two.
The third that had a firm grasp on Fluky had fallen; the light within it flickering out.
The other two immediately stopped what they were doing and looked at me. They had a threat now.
I quickly aimed at the next one and fired, taken out of my moment of surprise that things had actually gone my way for once.
It didn't go down instantly, but the round penetrated the armor, which was more than I was getting less than a minute ago.
Fluky got to work on removing the clasp that held her leg. It had locked around her limb, by the looks of it.
They came at me with their buzzsaws, instead of their flamers. I imagined they needed refueling, after throwing all that fire my way. Which meant that these units didn't have restoration talismans built into them. That was a big plus.
I noticed that these ones were a lot quieter than the ones I fought before, though. They didn't talk as much.
I continued firing, but within a matter of seconds, they had reached the desk and were ready to cut my head off in one fell swoop. One Handy swung from one side, for my neck, while the other swung from the other side.
I ducked just as the saws came around, then came back up to resume firing.
The plating of the left was riddled with holes, and sparks flashed about within. I could hear the internal mechanics going on the fritz, and soon enough, after a series of uncontrollably twitching, its arms spasmed, causing me to go back for cover.
The other unit went around the desk to deal with me. It had decided to take the route I was facing; the right. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have noticed, until it started digging through my armor.
The first few shots were a miss, as I was aiming at the jet that kept it aloft. Three bullets... what a waste. I had about six shots left in the clip.
My fourth shot hit towards the base of the jet, causing it to stagger and struggle to keep itself up off the ground. It made attempts to swing at me, but I jumped back and leaned my head back. By the time the saw came around, it felt as if it were about an inch or so away from nicking my muzzle... Too close for comfort.
I backed up more, but kept away from the spasming unit. That was when I found my heart was still pounding hard in my chest. I was breathing heavily out of panic.
It seemed I was right about the arms stretching out farther than the earlier models... Yikes...
It didn't come for me, and it didn't back away. Instead, it seemed to focus solely on trying to keep itself up.
I calmed myself and looked down the sight, aiming at the gap between the plating. Once I had a good shot, I took it.
The machine fell instantly.
The other Handy was still having a mechanical seizure, so I put that out of its 'misery' as well. It was probably for the best, anyways. Eventually, it could have fixed something on the inside and become operational again, though that was unlikely without a restoration talisman. Still, I wasn't taking my chances.
I looked over at Fluky to see she was still struggling with the clasp. She was beating it with the baton, but that wasn't going too well for her. I walked over, put the gun down beside her, and tried removing the plating so I could see what was keeping her shackled like that. Unfortunately, it seemed to be a lot more secure than I would have liked. Removing it without welding gear wasn't an option.
I picked my gun back up, aimed it at the joint between the arm and the clasp, and put a bullet in.
The clasp immediately released, and Fluky backed away from the expired Handy. She looked up at me with sincerity in her eyes and sighed with a slight nod. "Thank you."
"You didn't have to distract them, you know." I put the gun down and slid the clip out, then cocked the chamber back. I caught the bullet that sprang out from the gun in midair, then slid it back into the clip. I had two rounds left.
"I was trying to help you." She stated, looking down as if she were being scolded.
I smiled faintly. "Guess that puts us Fluky, 5, Charger, 3, on the who-saves-who count."
She smiled back. "Robutt, 4. You're missing one."
"I am?" I raised a brow.
"You just saved me from getting ripped apart, you pushed me out of the way from that explosion, back in the park, you saved me from getting attacked by the group of bad guys, and you saved me from when the other robutts attacked my home."
"Oh..." I didn't think of that last one as saving her... But she did. And that made me feel at least... a little better...
"Which ones are you counting towards me?"
"You gave the Handy's a run around to distract them, you helped me with my hoof the best you could, you helped me when that radio blew up in my face, you saved me from dying when my gut was torn open, and you saved us from the motel encounter." I paused, then added. "Guess I'm never gonna catch up, huh?"
"You never know." She smirked.
I looked down at the clip in my hoof. "Well, if worse comes to worse, we can always just hit the off switch. Got only two bullets left. One for each of us."
She stared at me in worry; all wide-eye'd, like she got whenever something freaked her out.
I tilted my head to the side a little and smirked, narrowing my eyes. "Gotcha." I pulled out the box of rounds I had taken from the desk and dropped them before me. The inventory inside clattered around to the impact against the ground.
She took a deep breath and shook her head. "You had me worried for a second, there."
I chuckled softly as I opened the box. Now that I thought about it...
I pulled out the other box and looked inside, only to see normal rounds. But the ones in the new box were slightly bulkier... and a bit heavier, too. I went to read the label, but all I got was a sticky note on the side of the yellow box, which read 'T rounds. Use only in emergencies.' They were the same exact silver color as the plating of the Handy's we had just finished fighting.
So regular bullets didn't work on these upgraded machines. It was T rounds that got the job done... Sure wish I had known that before wasting an entire clip of the regulars on them.
I loaded the clip with the T rounds, then grabbed the empty spare to fill that one up with the same rounds as the other. I had a strong feeling in my gut that we'd be dealing with a lot of buzzsaws and gatlings from here on out. Hopefully, they worked just as good on the fungal creatures as they did on the machines. I wasn't ready to fight them. But I had to stomach it and do it regardless, if they got in our way. In this crazy, underground station of death, it was me or them. And I chose them. I've been out here for a little over a week, and I had already come close to dying on several counts. I had caught a glimpse of Hell. I have had enough encounters I wouldn't have ever dreamt of, but there was more coming. I knew it. I needed to be ready.
"Let's search the room, and then we'll be on our way." I said, just before slapping the clip back home and putting the spare in the pouch, along with both boxes of ammo. I was getting low on the regulars, but thankfully, the box of T rounds was full when I found it. If I was smart about it, they'd last a while. I guess the pony that owned the T rounds never lived long enough to use them for emergencies.
I stood up and started to head for the filing cabinets, while Fluky searched the other side of the room. There wasn't much of anything, except boring paperwork and medical results. After skimming through the papers, something had caught my attention, however. There was a name written in cursive. They had signed for a medical examination, but it didn't say what for.
The name written on the bottom was none other than Petiole.
I put the paper back and resumed my search for anything useful.
Throughout my search, I had found nothing. Not much time passed though, so it wasn't a complete waste. I moved to the desk to finish my search for more resources, but there was nothing else in there that would have proved useful. I had already grabbed the ammo, but the gun that belonged with it was nowhere to be found.
Just before it was concluded that we had searched everything, I found a piece of paper lying in the bottom of the upper desk drawer.
'Note to self. Find a way to turn oxygen into chlorine.'
Oh, those motherfu-


(((((((◉)))))))


With the airduct being broken, there was no traveling the safer route anymore. We had to walk the grounds that the machines endlessly patrolled.
Upon poking my head out of the open doorway, I found the coast was clear. To the right was a sign that pointed off towards the mine which, according to the direction the arrow pointed, took another right, just down the hall.
The left theoretically led back to where we came from. At least, judging by where we were going and where we came from before the vent dropped.
We would have to continue on until we found another entry hatch, as the one back there was now worthless to us.
We started for the direction of the mine, and upon stepping into the intersection, we stopped. The route ahead of us led down, but the floor beneath us had been flooded with brown, murky water. A long stretch of corridor was on our right, and at the very end, machines patrolled. There was a massive door at the far end, unlike any other I had seen here so far.
The water started rippling...
Without hesitation, I grabbed Fluky, who complained about personal space and the lack of. I put her on my back and booked it to the left as best as a pony could with a crippled hoof that was threatening to fall off if they weren't careful.
A sentry started to come into view ahead, but I wasn't stopping there. Instead, I pressed forward, hoping I could reach the next door before that green light between its black plating became red.
Something burst from the water behind us, and the lights of the sentry flashed blue. I wasn't sure if it was because of me, or because of whatever was behind us.
"SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY DETECTED. INVESTIGATING."
Before it could turn its heavy mass to face us directly, I slammed my hoof against a door panel and jumped inside, right after the door slid open. I slammed the button of the panel on the other side, and the door closed behind us. There was a window that gave us a view of the corridor outside, and after looking around the room to find that it was clear, I set a confused Fluky down beside me and got up on the couch underneath that window, peeking out. I could hear the booming voice of the sentry as it approached.
"UNKNOWN LIFEFORM DETECTED. USE OF LETHAL FORCE AUTHORIZED."
A massive flurry of lasers flew to the right, while a bunch of oversized crab-like creatures with four legs charged for the left, towards the overpowered machine that ripped into them without any real challenge. A few had already fallen or just downright disintegrated into a red, glowing powder, right before me. Piles of the red powder blew away from any wind currents, no thanks to the army of crabs that ran forward. Some of them had stepped right over what remained of them, knocking their glowing remains around along the metal flooring.
I lied my back against the couch, looking up at the ceiling. My hoof was aching from the sorry excuse of running that I had just done. I looked over at Fluky to see she was staring up at a vent in the ceiling.
No time like the present...
I got up, groaning from the pain that my leg was being put through... and then I heard a hissing...
Fluky snapped her head in my direction, then looked towards the bedroom door, which was left open.
One of the fungal creatures stumbled out and looked at me, baring those black fangs. I quickly reached for my gun, but before I could bite the grip, those 'fangs' shot out in slimy tendrils, wrapping around my helmet and ripping it off. I started to jump back for cover, but they moved with haste, grabbing a firm hold of my head, to which they pulled me closer to the monster. Its mouth was held wide open as my hooves dragged along the ground. I couldn't stop myself from moving...
"Fuck, fuck, fuck, Fluky!"
She ran up to me and grabbed a hold of my pistol, ripping it from the holster and aiming it at the monster before me. The slime around the tendrils started rubbing off on my mane, and I could feel it in my coat. I looked ahead to see something moving deep within its throat, before emerging like the pod thing that I had seen come out of the stomach of the first one. It unfolded like a flower, revealing several small fangs, while the center had several smaller, wiggling tendrils awaiting my arrival.
"It's not working!" She shouted.
"Pull the trigger!"
"I am! It won't move!"
"Damn it, hit the safety!" I shouted back in desperation, doing all I could to pull away. I wasn't far now...
"The what!?"
"The switch on the side of the fucking gun! HIT IT! PLEASE, FUCK, JUST HIT IT!" It was stronger than I. No matter how hard I pulled back, it pulled back harder.
The 'pedals' of the flower-like suction that emerged from its mouth dug into the sides of my face; its tiny, sharp fangs digging in and pulling me in closer, only to let go and get a better hold of my head. The tendrils in the center of the flower were slapping against my muzzle, trying to get in. All I could see was the red, fleshy insides of the flower. I wanted to scream just at the touch of it, but the moment I opened my mouth, that would have been it for me.
The tentacles started to enter through my nostrils... They were delving deep. All I could do was scream with my lips sealed tightly together...
Then came the loud bang of a gun. I felt the tendrils around and inside me tense up, before writhing around. There was another shot that followed, and the creature tore its pedals off, leaving holes in my face that allowed blood to flow freely. The two that had been traveling through my nasal passage quickly recoiled as I fought to back away; finally able to breathe again. Even then, I didn't want to open my mouth.
The black tendrils that I had thought were its fangs let go of my head and whipped around to grab a hold of Fluky. Their new threat. Her eyes grew wide with fear and realization that she was being targeted.
I ran for her, pushed her out of the way, and received a very discomforting, wet slap to my side, knocking me back and causing me to fall down on her baton. Despite the barding, that was probably going to leave a mark...
Fluky got up and fired one more shot before they grabbed a hold of her head as they did mine. She fired again and again, striking its head repeatedly, but one of the tendrils around her let go and tore it from her grasp, throwing it across the room. She screamed in terror as it dragged her in; moving a lot faster than it had done with me. I assumed it was because she was a lot lighter than I.
I got up, grabbed the baton I lied on, and ran forward. "LEAVE HER ALONE!" I shouted in a muffled cry, before striking the tendrils between her and the monster, only to find that they had a rubbery texture to them. Seeing as that didn't do a whole lot for me, or for her for that matter, I swung the baton at its head. It recoiled and threw her back, then faced me, ready to take me on once more.
"Fluky, grab the gun!" I shouted behind the weapon in my mouth, before lodging it into its right eye and jumping back.
It recoiled further, taking the baton with it. I continued to back away, watching it closely. Fluky was still on the ground, slowly recovering from the knock back. I made my way for the couch, where the gun was tossed. Just outside, the massive sentry rolled past, crushing and obliterating all that was in its way. We had gone unnoticed by it. Even if it had noticed us, there was nothing it could do at this time.
One of the black tendrils moved up and wrapped around the hilt of the baton, tore it from its eye, and dropped it on the metal floor with a loud clang. There was a thick, green pus on the end, and more dripped out from its orifice.
Grimacing, I went down for the gun. Upon doing so, I heard the snapping and cracking of bones; the ripping and tearing of hide. I quickly shot back up to see its back was bulging as it stared directly at me with one glowing eye. Dark brown, hairy appendages had grown out from its mutilated back, and the ends touched down on the floor, lifting its body off the ground as it continued to hiss and growl in a note I hadn't heard from them before. There was another voice behind it; something of a demented roar as its tentacles writhed around viciously, eager to take me again.
It had grown the legs that of a spider, but unlike the common arachnid, it only had four.
By the time it had risen, it was nearly touching the ceiling. It stomach split open, and several other tendrils spilled out like guts, writhing around as if enraged.
Something swelled in the center of the flower-like appendage that stuck out of its gaping mouth, looking a lot like a bulbous pustule. I quickly grabbed my helmet off the floor between me and it, slammed it on my head, and grabbed the table in front of the sofa just as it was ready to burst. I dragged it over to Fluky and tipped it over, not giving a damn about any of the contents that lied on its surface.
Before I could duck, it had burst...
I turned my head away just as a wall of white splattered against my armored form. Looking over on my left shoulder, I saw several white, maggoty parasites crawling around me. One by one, with haste, I tore them off wherever I could find them and threw the disgusting critters across the room, away from us. Some had splattered against the wall and exploded in bursts of white. They were probably already really weak, but the force behind my throws were pretty violent as well. Others that hadn't hit me, struck the wall behind us, or the table, killing them instantly.
I looked at Fluky afterward, but she seemed fixated on my groinal region. I looked down... Oh hell no.
I tore one last parasite from my crotch and threw it at the beast. Thank the royal sisters that that part of me was just as armored up as the rest of my body...
The towering abomination responded with shooting a stream of unknown liquid at me, via the burst pustule that had been carrying its... babies, or whatever the fuck those things were. The monster's distorted screams went on.
I kept my head turned away and ducked; one half of my barding drenched in pus and whatever it just shot at me. Its piss?
Fluky looked at me in worry.
"Don't touch me." I spoke with warning, looking at her. "I think it did something to my armor. It could be contagious... or lethal."
"What are we gonna do...?" She whimpered as it roared. I was barely able to make out what it was she had asked.
"We're gonna fight it..."
"How...?" She peeked around the corner, then quickly retreated as the stream of liquid sprayed at where her head once was. She looked at me in horror and asked aloud. "How!?"
"I don't know yet... The bullets didn't seem to do much for us..."
"Where's the baton?"
I shook my head hard. "I don't think we should use it anymore. It's covered..."
"Covered...?"
"Don't ask..." With that, I tried to prepare myself for what I was about to do, which admittedly, was a stupid plan, but it was all I had. I took a deep breath and exhaled behind clenched teeth. "Here we go..." I jumped out from cover to see the monster had been making its way for the tipped over table, and started firing blind shots at its body, over and over again, as I strafed around the room. It stayed focused on me. Some of the rounds had struck the spider-like appendages, but not even that had much of an effect on it.
"Goddess damn it, just die!" I shouted, before resuming fire.
It turned and faced me, and immediately, the pustule began again, spraying my visor. Hints of it got into my mouth upon the stream focusing on the gun. The taste was rancid and was almost like moldy, rotted food. Bitter and sour. I gagged and choked, and through all that, my shots were getting misplaced. I was still firing, despite all that. I couldn't stop. One hit the window, another hit the door. A third bounced off the floor, then the wall, then the ceiling, and only then, did it strike the back of the creature's head. Still, that didn't do much in my favor.
One of its tendrils wrapped around my left foreleg, and the other wrapped around my right. I kept firing. There was no way I was going to sto-
The gun clicked.
"Damn it!" I tried pulling my hooves back as the gun fell to the ground, and this time I had actually managed to pull back. It wasn't futile after all. I raised on my hind legs and kept pulling back. "BRING IT ON, FUCKER! YOU AND ME!"
The other two black tendrils wrapped around my hind legs and lifted me off the ground as I waved my arms and legs around in a frantic effort to escape.
I felt one of its appendages tighten around my bandaged leg, causing me to scream behind my clenched teeth. I knew what it was trying to do... Trying to get me to open wide for it... That wasn't going to happen...
Not gonna happen...
It knew I wasn't going to so easily, either... and so it tightened its grip even more, to the point where I heard a snap, a pop, and a tear... and holy shit, did I feel it...
It held my own severed hoof in front of me in a taunting wave as I cried out, doing my best to keep my mouth closed. It was hard... It was so hard... I was getting weaker by the second from blood loss... How much blood did I have left to lose, at this point? Not a whole lot, I imagined...
It tossed my hoof aside and wrapped around my stump tightly, stopping the circulation, therefore causing the drainage  of my blood to cease for the most part.
I heard a few items clatter along the ground behind me, but I couldn't see what they were.
Two of the tendrils from its abdomen came up and forced my maw open with impatience. I jolted around as it brought me closer to its mouth; the tendrils in its flower eager to reach me.
They started whipping around my muzzle once more... and then my lips. I felt them on my teeth; on my tongue. Starting to explore the inside of my mouth as they made their way for my throat. A sour, rotten taste started to fill me...
I heard the gun click, and a second later, several gunshots. The tentacles writhed again, and the creature threw me back. I slid along the floor inside the bedroom, coughing and hacking from what was just inside me. I looked down through the open doorway to see Fluky shooting at the monster as she ran around the room, making it turn around in circles. Tentacles from its stomach lashed out at her, but her reflexes were good. Too good for a pony her age...
I had underestimated her.
Then I noticed her eyes were flashing white, and her horn was flared up in a bright yellow aura.
It was no wonder she was kicking ass right now. Her magic had kicked in again.
The gun wasn't in her mouth, but instead, flew around the room, firing in an organized sequence. With each shot, the rounds stayed frozen in midair; evenly spaced from each other. The gun increased in speed that started to become a blur to me. By the time that clip had been emptied, every bullet moved in unison, striking the monster all at once, from every side. The whole time, she jumped, somersaulted, slid, and dodged any attacks that came to her, all while running around the room. As she did, the box of T rounds opened up, and the gun hovered over it; the clip sliding out. Within a span of 2 seconds, bullets had flown in from the box in a line, loading the clip in full. It slammed home, and she resumed her trick prior to the loading of the gun.
I quickly looked around the room to conveniently find a handgun and a few grenades with red bands around them, along with a note, and the skeleton of a pony on the mattress with a bullet driven through the skull.
I immediately got up and grabbed the pistol, rushed back to the doorway, and started firing repeatedly at the bea-
Damn it, no bullets! Seriously!?
I dropped the gun and went for the grenades. "Fluky, look out!" I shouted, holding out a grenade, standing in the doorway.
She didn't look in my direction. Honestly, I didn't think she could even see or hear me.
I pulled the pin with my teeth and chucked the grenade at the monster. It landed beneath the beast and stayed still for a few seconds.
Fluky was giving it the run around, and suddenly, right after ducking from a swing of a black tendril, she tensed up and disappeared in a flash of yellow.
Then the room lit up in a fiery blaze. The bullets that had been dropped in the living room exploded from the excessive, sudden heat, shooting off in a variety of directions. I was caught in the edge of the blast radius, but before the flames could reach me, the force knocked me back, slamming me against the wall and punching the wind out of me. I collapsed on my stomach and looked into the living room to see the monster thrashing about as flames danced around its form. It screamed in high, shrill tones that I was convinced I was going to go deaf over, if it kept up.
It wasn't focused on anyone, anymore. Just its own escape. And it was failing.
I watched as it ran around the room on its four spider legs, trying to find a place to break free. It rammed against walls and slammed against windows, but they were too strong and shatter proof. It tried the door, but it was too big for it to fit through.
It started to slow as it looked around in desperate attempts to break free from its prison; from its imminent demise.
I struggled to get up. I was losing blood, and fast... But even through all that, I smiled as I stared on.
It had taken me down, but I dragged it down with me.
It collapsed on itself, looking at me with that one glowing eye as flame devoured its form. It saw my smile. It saw that, even in my condition, I found myself the victor.
"I have seen Hell. You're not it." I said as I watched its eye dilate and grow distant through all the fire that danced between us.
Smoke started to cover the ceiling, and it was getting harder to breathe. I needed to get out of here, but my first priority was my leg.
I stumbled over to the dresser and opened one of the drawers to reveal some Stable-Tec jumpsuits, along with a small selection of pre war design.
I removed my helmet, took a shirt, ripped it into sheets, then firmly tied them around my stump, bandaging it and doing all I could to cut off the circulation. Each and every strip of ripped clothing went to that leg until I felt satisfied with it... which wasn't happening. Groaning out of frustration and pain, I dug into the other drawers. Then I found it...
I ripped a black, leather belt from a pair of pants and started tying off my stump as tight as I could get it. Even if it hurt. Of course I was still going to be in pain, but I didn't see so much spillage as there was not too long ago. It was working.
I grabbed another shirt and used that to clean off the blood that had been dripping down my face for some time now. My coat was stained in red, and I wasn't feeling too good. If I collapsed here, that would have been it for me. I couldn't pass out. I'd never wake up again, if I did.
I wrapped the shirt around my head, from top to bottom, so that my wounds were covered up entirely. I looked like a flat out idiot, but it was that, or suffer more blood loss. I slipped the helmet back on, limped over to the bed, and looked over the note.

That son of a bitch got me, Iron. I've seen what happens when someone gets nicked by those nightmares from the mine. I ain't goin' down like that, ya hear? So I'm spending my last bullet on my noggin'. If you're readin' this, I love you. Always have. Always will. I know I didn't tell you enough. For that, I am sorry.
I know. Sappy as shit. You can laugh at me in the Everafter, if that's where we're even goin'.
I left three grenades for you, in case you try and make it for the exit. I know the sentries are preventing everyone from leaving, due to containment bs. Fuckers have a mind of their own, I swear. The overmare is hiding in her office, hoping this'll all blow over. Hope she starves in there. Whatever you do, don't take the tram station. Everyone has that idea, but it's gonna get 'em killed. Either they get fed into a blender o' gatling, or the zomponies get 'em.
Sorry I don't have any shock 'nades for ya, but the fires should help against the zoms. There's a gun locker in medical lab A-9-h. Has a rifle, some mags, filled with T rounds, and some health potions. To my knowledge, no one's gotten to it yet, and no one knows the password. Get to it. Password is 'Cocksock69.' I set it myself. Gutsy will let you right in if you say it. Well, I best cut it short, before I decide to write an entire book of my final thoughts.

You're one hell of a guy, and one hell of a stallion in bed. See ya on the other side, whenever your time comes. - XOXO, your hot little cum slut, Bouncy House
P.S. I'm still gonna shove my entire hoof up your ass for giving me that stupid nickname...

I pocketed the note, the grenades, and looked frantically around the room, coughing violently from the smoke that filled up the area. My vision was getting more obscured as time passed, and my lungs were starting to burn. Probably wasn't a good idea to stop and read the damn note while I was losing oxygen. Somehow, I imagined the pony that wrote the suicide note was looking down at me, getting ready to smack me upside the head and say 'good one, ya frickin' idiot.'
Above the dresser, I found a vent to the airducts. I looked back to the living room. My barding was flame retardant, but that didn't mean I could just run through so easily without getting burnt. Half of my face was covered, while the rest was left exposed. There was no way I was going to make that...
I jumped up for the vent, but it was too high. I quickly went for the bed, pulled it over, and climbed on top, gaining my balance from the soft mattress for a few seconds, before reaching up and pushing the vent up and over. I jumped up and pulled myself inside, then began my crawl through the shaft. The metal was growing hot, but it was either I moved forward and stayed alive, or be stubborn and just let myself suffocate and burn. For someone that feared for their own survival, it was safe to assume I preferred the former, rather than the latter.
The smoke had made its way through the airducts, still choking me out. I had to keep moving...
My stomach was burning from the heat, and my lungs felt torched from the smoke. Under the armor, sweat formed.
I passed by the vent to the living room, and the temperature grew more. I looked back to find flames dancing through the grating. I pushed forward faster. I had to get out. My lungs couldn't take it anymore. My sight was a blur. Each blink of the eyes stung. Each breath of the lungs felt like the fire on my stomach I had felt not too long ago.
I stopped at the next grate, which looked out at the end of the corridor. I applied brute force to it a few times, before it finally dropped down to the ground with a heavy thud against the dirt below. I poked my head out afterward to find that the coast wasn't clear, but that all attention was turned away from where I was.
I slipped out, fell on my back, groaning softly to myself as I felt the vent that had fallen press against my back, seeing as I landed on it, then lifted myself up.
The sentries rolled on down the corridors, and other fungus specimens stumbled around aimlessly, not paying me any mind. I looked to my right to see that I had dropped out at the T-intersection. I still heard the sentry fighting off the army of crabs that had emerged from the waters of the lower levels.
I peeked my head out to see its progress, and immediately recoiled at the sight of a zompony face to face with me; its green, glowing eyes looking into mine for the split second that I looked out.
It stumbled forward, and I backed up. I had no weapons on me, save for the grenades. I pulled one out and bit down on the pin, ready to pull.
Instead, it crossed the hall, to the other side, avoiding and ignoring me entirely, as if I didn't exist. I stared in wonder as it stumbled by like a drunk, bumping into walls and tripping every so often.
Could they not... see me, anymore...?
I ventured down the same way the creature was going, only I moved faster than it. I still kept my eyes on it as I passed by, in case it changed its mind about me. But it didn't even look at me. Not even glance in my direction. It was as if I didn't exist...
The sentry ahead of us had turned right, and proceeded on from there; the lights between its armor green. Between me and it were a few other zomponies, but they were just like the one behind me; ignorant of my existence. I limped past them, and some had bumped into me, but not even that had any effect on them. They kept stumbling around, as if nothing had happened...
A thought entered my mind... A dangerous thought... A thought I didn't want to think about... Something I wish I had been ignorant of... I didn't want to believe it, but...
No...
I shook my head and kept on. I wasn't going to let it stop me.
I stopped at the intersection that the sentry had turned down and peeked out to see it was starting to make another right, at the next turn. The moment it disappeared, I limped across and made my way forward. There was a large, metal door at the end that read 'METRO.'
I had no idea where Fluky had gone, but she had a fresh clip of those T rounds I was growing fond of, along with a gun. I could only hope that she was somewhere safe. Somewhere much safer than this place. I didn't know much about unicorns and their ability of teleportation, especially seeing as the only ones I've ever really known were very inexperienced, due to Bristle's orders against them learning too much magic, in case they got the idea to take over. I had no idea how it worked, or if there were any limits to how far it could go. I knew nothing.
All I could hope was that Fluky was safe and unharmed...
I stopped before the door and pressed the button on the side. As the door folded in on itself, I heard a massive horde... hissing and growling. As the slab in the center lowered, I was greeted by a subway station that probably reached the maximum occupancy with the fungal zomponies.
They stumbled around in one, big, rotten, fleshy mass, bumping into each other and hissing constantly. The smell... Oh goddesses, the smell...
They started to stumble out into the corridor, exploring new ground; passing by me with ignorant bumps. I stood there as they passed by me, before shaking my head and stepping forward.
I made my way through the mass, having to push some aside to get through. A tram was waiting on the tracks; the lights within flickering.
During my travels through the mob of... whatever these things really were, it had come to my attention that some of them were actually fused together by the skin of their coats; forced to move together as one. One of them that had caught my attention had engulfed another's head with the melted flesh of its own, as if they were stuck in some morbid kiss. Their lips didn't exist anymore, but through the burst pustules in their face, black tendrils wiggled out.
I carefully moved through the disgust that this place had become. Along the way, I found remnants of the past, lying along the filthy, bloody tiles. The pasts of other ponies... Guns, spent shells, keys...
... A teddy bear with a missing arm, the stuffing exposed...
No... I had to keep moving... Don't think about it... Don't...
I stepped through the open doors of the tram. The inside was crowded, and so I worked on pushing them out, one at a time. They didn't protest or retaliate, but I felt disgusted with myself for even touching them...
Regardless, they seemed to obey.
One after another, I pushed them out of the vehicle. Every so often, a straggler would wander in, but I'd push them back out. Once they were all vacated from the vehicle, I quickly limped for the controls in the front of the tram, before anymore could get in. After a few seconds of closely examining the controls in the cab, I found the door switch and hit it. Looking through the open door that revealed to me the rest of the flickering tram, all exits and entrances were sealed off.
Good start.
A screen flashed before the driver seat, and looking back, I saw the layout of the subway's systems and where it led. There was a large variety to choose from. A lot more than I had suspected there'd be.
Recreation was under the massive room that I could only assume was the park. Beyond that, was Living Quarters, which branched off from the main path. Opposite of that, was another path that circled around to a dead end, which read Generators. The main path itself led to the Atrium, Cafeteria, Maintenance, and then lastly, Stable Exit/Entrance. The location that was highlighted with an intricate, rotating, green dot, that I only assumed was where I was, for obvious reasons, was called Labs. The path turned for a more crude, distorted diagram of the structure, which was a dead end that read Mine.
I tapped my hoof over Atrium, and the circle highlighted the selected option. A green light flashed on beside it, which I soon discovered to be a button. Upon pressing it, the headlights flashed on, and the machine jolted forward, screeching along the tracks. I was surprised it still worked, after all this time. A red light flashed underneath the green, which I assumed meant to stop the ride, should there be an emergency.
Sparks flew out from above and below, but the tram pushed forward all the same. It wasn't all that fast, but it was still a lot better than walking. Especially for someone in my condition. This stable was a lot bigger than I had initially thought.
I stepped out of the cab and lied down on the row of three seats that had been built into the wall, underneath a window pane that looked out into the dark tunnels. I looked up at the flickering lights overhead, which soon enough, put a strain on my eyes. I was already feeling a headache, after a few seconds.
I sighed and sat up, frowning as my back pressed up against the wall behind me; the same wall that separated the cab from the rest of the tram. My rear hoof rested on the ground, while my stumped leg remained sprawled out along the row of seats. My fores rested on my lap as I looked out the window, peering through the darkness outside.
The lights in the tunnel remained every few dozen feet or so from each other, and through that, I caught the silhouettes of those zomponies stumbling around. There were a few thumps throughout the ride, which I imagined was something that was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I looked down at the belt that wrapped firmly around my stump, then hung my head down, closing my eyes. I had lost too much blood in such a short amount of time, and I was definitely starting to feel it more, now...
That syringe... The syringe that Fluky struck me with. That must have kept my adrenaline up and kept me awake, where others wouldn't manage.


(((((((◉)))))))


A loud buzz occurred, causing me to jump in my seat and look around frantically. I looked up at the speaker overhead, which turned off shortly after. Turning to the window, I noticed we were slowing down at a station of benches, vending machines, restrooms, and trashcans. Trash littered the floor. Papers, wrappers, empty cans...
The lights flickered here as well, but it seemed that nothing had reached here, with me being that exception. This place seemed abandoned a long time ago.
There was an escalator that went up to another floor, but it looked to be shut off for good.
The tram stopped, and the doors slid open. I got up and limped out of the vessel, making my way for the stairs. Along the way, I found a few caps, to which I pocketed.
I made my way up the stairs, one hoof at a time. I was in far too much pain to worry about making haste anymore. I didn't have it in me. I was mentally exhausted. I was physically exhausted... My bones ached and protested against any movement I made. My coat was bruised and bloody... I didn't want to run anymore, and with there being nothing to run from at this moment, I took my time climbing the steps.
But that wasn't true... was it? There was always something to run from. There was never an exception. Even when nothing physical was chasing you, something else was. An invisible beast that would never fade from existence...
Time.
Time was a hunter, chasing me, and I was tired of running from it. But as I ran from time, I also ran out of it. It was going to win sooner, rather than later, if my theory was true... No matter what, time always won. There was no killing it. There was no running from it. There was no hiding. There was no escape... It was a merciless thing that did no favors for anyone, but instead, targeted all. It wasn't an enemy, nor was it a friend. It was time... and time always had its own agenda.
I made my way to the top, already fatigued from the short distance I had made. At the other end of the long stretch of tiled hall was a set of turn styles, and a door with a sign above it, which read 'Atrium.'
Hopefully, Fluky was already outside of the stable, waiting in that park. The chances of it happening were very slim. She could have been anywhere in all of Equus, for all I knew... but I had high hopes that she was okay, and safe, and that I'd find her again...
I had to go... This place had chewed me up and spat me out, and then chewed me up some more. It was a miracle I was even alive at this point. Something told me that wasn't going to last much longer, though... Not now...
I didn't find any survivor of 32. Everyone was dead. I was a fool to think otherwise, and I was paying the price for it now. Just like I deserved.
The ponies that accompanied me here did not deserve this, though... And I felt great shame for it... For as long as I'd live, I knew I was going to dwell on it... I messed up... I messed everything up...
I climbed over the turn style and opened the door before me, stepping through afterwards.
The room was dark and grey. The lights through the windows on the second floor continued to flicker, and several dozen silhouettes stumbled down the corridor, towards the exit.
I looked around the room to see several of those ponies I noticed earlier, standing around the room, still and silent as ever. I approached one carefully, but upon closer inspection...
They were statues. Wooden statues, yet they looked like real ponies. They probably were, at one point. Each one had fear and distress forever etched into their features, as if their last moments of life were spent screaming for mercy. Leaves and branches stuck out from their forms.
I looked up at the tree in the center to see a variety of blue, beautiful flowers, blooming with life.
Despite everything that happened, I smiled and sat before it, marveling at its glory. I took comfort in its health. It stood tall, nearly reaching the ceiling.
"You've finally arrived." Someone spoke from behind in a monotone, tired voice.
I spun around quickly, but all I saw were statues.
Then... one of them blinked at me with milky white eyes and a light grey, wrinkly hide. Patches of his coat were ripped from him. A hint of pink mist blew out from his nostrils with each breath. A twig stuck out from the side of his head, with a leaf on the end. His dark grey mane was messy and torn in a lot of areas that would make a hairdresser cringe. He wore what was once a lab coat around his body.
He was a ghoul...
The freak took a step forward, causing me to jump back.
"Don't touch the tree." He pointed behind me, and I glanced back at it, before quickly returning to him. He had the same exact voice of the pony that was in the distress call. "It's contagious." He then proceeded to put his hoof down as he looked around the room, at the statues that surrounded us. "They've all been infected because they got too close." He shook his head and looked down at the ground before him. "It's sad, really. The most beautiful things in life are often times the most dangerous." He noticed my stare, then continued. "So how did you find this place, stranger? Why are you here?"
"I heard an S.O.S. on the radio. I came to see if I could be of any help."
His eyes grew wide, and he shook his head. "Damn it..."
"What?"
"I should have destroyed that message long ago. It was a mistake putting it up..."
"How so?" I sat down. It was pretty obvious that he was the one that set it, judging by his voice. That was no mystery.
He looked at me and sighed, releasing a slightly thicker cloud of pink, which raised up to the ceiling, before dissipating. Hadn't Firebright warned me to stay away from that stuff? "When I made that broadcast, this place was starting to fail. There were a few ponies left alive around the stable, and I had... hoped... that someone would come here to save us from what we had discovered."
"You mean those fungus things?"
He nodded as he closed his eyes. "Days passed by. Weeks. It was too late. Everyone had died, save for me. I barricaded myself in here until the infection ceased to spread, because there was nothing left to infect. Stayed away from the tree behind you, and kept to my research." I got up and moved away from the tree, only to sit down again. "Truth be told..." He paused for a deep breath, then shook his head with regret. "I should have stayed away from that, too... I am like this, because of what I was researching." He gestured a hoof to himself, before resuming. "Anyways... power goes out across the entire stable. Machines shut off... Lockdown stays up. All is safe." He started coughing and hacking violently, then groaned. "It... hadn't come to my attention that the power would ever turn on again, and so I never bothered going back to destroy the recording I had made so long ago. About a week... or, at least, I think it was a week ago from today... had passed, and the power came back. The machines are moving once more, and the lockdown was lifted. Everything had rebooted... and I don't know why."
I hung my head down. "I might have an idea."
"Oh?" He raised a brow.
"There was an EMP around the Saddle area, when I was... around. There's a very good chance it hit your stable."
He nodded slowly. "Hm... Seems viable." He seemed to be regarding the shirt that was tied all around my head. He must have seen it along the bottom of my chin, seeing as my helmet was still on.
"Oh..." I smiled nervously, removing the helmet, and then the shirt. "Yeah, had a run in with something..." His eyes grew wide at the wounds in my head.
"I see..."
"I'm fine. Hurts a little, but it's nothing fatal."
"Hm..." He looked around the room for a few seconds, before turning back to me as I put the shirt back on, and then the helmet. It needed readjusting, anyways. "Would you like me to check up on you? See how you're holding up? After coming all this way, you may as well get something out of it."
I shook my head, smiling faintly. "No, it's okay." I think I knew why he was asking that... I definitely didn't want him checking up on me now.
"Fair enough." He took another deep breath as he made his way for the wall closest to us, slowly.
"I came here with a filly, but she teleported, and I don't know where she went off to. Can you help me find her?"
He sighed and coughed for a short while, before speaking. "Damn sorcery... Yeah, I'll help you." He paused, then looked at me. "But only if you help me."
"Well, that's what I came here to do." I smiled faintly. "I don't have a whole lot of fight left in me, but I can try."
He nodded, then looked down at the floor before him, behind a crate. "I suppose now that the power has been restored, and everything is reset, there is something that needs to be done about it." He coughed a bit, before getting to work on something on the ground. "We can't contain anything anymore. And turning the power off would be all but useful... So I have another option."
"What is it?" I stood up, almost taking a step forward. The pink cloud escaping from his nasal passage brought me to a sudden, alarming halt.
He looked back at me after lifting a custom made suit that looked like it belonged out in the wasteland above us. It bore white linings all along the sleeves and body. Even the neck. There was a metal helmet resting on the crate before him, with a blank, horizontal visor, and a dual respirator where the mouth would be. He looked back to the wall as he got dressed in the gear, then slipped the helmet on. The lining of his suit lit up in green, just like the upgraded machines that wandered this stable.
Finally, he looked back at me and spoke in his simple voice, as if what he was saying was perfectly normal.
"We're going to have to detonate Stable 32."
> Channel 000.9; Memories Carved in Wood
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

These hallways are familiar to me... I think I used to be a resident here in better times. I wish I could remember more, but I'm afraid it's all a blur...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


After a series of trips of us hauling gear and saddle bags filled with books to the abandoned, eerie subway station in silence, we had stopped side by side. Though, I made sure to keep myself a few feet away from him, at the very least. I still didn't know what to think of ghouls...
Not to mention the pink mist...
"I assure you, when the helmet is on, I am completely safe to be around." He said calmly, keeping his armored head facing the tram. "Embark. I'll bring the supplies on board, seeing as you're..." He paused and looked down at my stump, then at me through that black visor. "... More impaired than I."
I nodded in agreement, then limped inside.
"And for the record, your help was not taken in vain. I greatly appreciate it."
My lips curled into a brief smile from that, before taking the same spot I had taken before; sitting in the same position as I had earlier as well. It seemed to be the only way I could sit that came even close to comfortable.
I watched as he made a series of trips back and forth, setting the inventory on the floor in the middle of the aisle.
When he had finished, he gave me one long look, then wandered off to the vending machines. He put a few bits in the soda machine, hit a button with his hoof, and waited for his selection to drop. A few seconds had passed, and he pulled out three Sparkle Colas; each one different than the other in terms of color.
He came back and put the bottles on the seat next to me, then faced me directly. "For you."
I smiled and took a bottle, which read 'Sparkle Cola Rad,' while he went off into the cab. The other two were Sparkle Cola Cherry, and White Grape.
I opened the bottle and started drinking the fizzy goodness from within. Not long after he disappeared from my sight, I heard him talk.
"Initiate commanding override, Petiole 78396510308."
Wait... did he just say Petiole...?
"Access granted." A female A.I. spoke over the intercom. "Welcome back, Dr. Petiole."
I raised a brow after gulping down what was in my mouth, keeping my ears open. I didn't know that was a feature...
"Transport to Gamma Station 5.8-4."
"En route to Gamma Station 5.8-4. Please standby."
The doors to the outside closed, and the tram started moving forward. Not long after, did this... Petiole step out and sit across from me. He took a deep breath and looked at me.
"You're Petoolee?" I asked, balking.
He stared for a few seconds, before answering. "It's Peteeole, actually. But yes."
I raised a brow. "Are you sure it's Peteeole? Looks more like Petoolee..."
"I'm sure how my own name is pronounced, thank you." He said in a slightly snappy tone.
I laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of my head, before putting the bottle to my lips and taking another swig. "Um... I could have sworn you were a female... in the pictures I saw you in, back in your... living quarter... I mean, the name just..." I smiled faintly and took another few gulps from the rad, to which he sighed.
"Two centuries..." He muttered. "Two centuries alone, and the first real contact I get is a pony who has trouble figuring out how names are pronounced and gets caught up on gender identity... Nice." He shook his head as my brows knitted, and continued. "The mare in the pictures you saw was my love." He looked down at the metal bracelet around his forehoof that was none other than a Pipbuck. A 9000 model, by the looks of it. I noticed that the hud was in red, instead of the standard issue green, while the body was black. He wasn't really doing anything on it. Just... pressing buttons. Must of been out of boredom.
"Well, that's obvious now. Unless... turning ghoul also changes gender."
"It doesn't." He replied flatly.
"I didn't think it did." I looked outside for a few seconds as the lights scrolled past. They hardly lit up the dark space outside, which meant there wasn't really anything to see. I turned back to him after taking in the last few gulps of my rad. "So what was all that command stuff about? Where are we going?"
"I can't have you slowing me down." He looked down at my stump again, to which I raised a brow.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're considering either leaving me behind or killing me."
He shook his head and scoffed, raising a hoof halfway up, right after turning off his Pipbuck screen. "Please. I may take the form of a monster, but that doesn't mean my mind is that of one." He broke into an abrupt, violent cough, slouching over and putting his hoof to his chest. "Ugh... Damn it..."
"You okay?"
"I'm never okay..." He looked back up at me behind that pitch dark visor, then cleared his throat from the raspy tones his voice carried.
"You said that you take the form of a monster..." I started, and he stared silently. It was impossible to tell what his body language was behind that armor. "Do you see ghouls as that? Monsters?"
"Yes."
"But..." I paused. "You're a gho-"
"I know what I am." He interrupted. "You need not remind me." He looked down. "If it were up to me, I'd kill them all. Feral and non-feral alike."
I frowned. "But... you..."
He sat firm before me, looking back into my eyes through that visor. "You think I haven't tried? I don't appreciate what I am. When I died, I wanted to stay dead. Instead, I'm this... thing." He looked away quickly.
"Sorry..." I hung my head down, and for a while, things went quiet between us. I guess some ponies valued death more than others...
"No... I'm sorry..." He sighed, then coughed a little. "I'm just tired of thinking about it. Gets me in a bad mood... That, and... thinking about her..." He grew quiet for a moment, before continuing. "Thinking about Mansia..."
Okay... time to change the subject. I didn't come all this way just to make someone feel like shit. I caused enough of that as it was. But then again... I didn't want to seem insensitive, either...
So instead, I just sat there quietly, not knowing what to do in this situation I got myself into. Eventually, Petiole spoke again.
"Sorry. I highly doubt you came all this way just to hear an undead pony venting about their past. I'm just rambling... Happens after two centuries in isolation, I suppose."
"Don't worry about it." I said with a shrug, smiling faintly. "There's no need to apologize."
He took his helmet off, smiling back a little. "So, did you find anything useful on your way over here?"
I took the pouches off and handed them over. He opened one of them, and his eyes went wide as he pulled out a certain... comic book...
He stared at me in mild disgust, to which I smiled nervously. "I know what you're thinking..." I started, raising a hoof halfway. "I only have that because Fluky was looking through it behind my back, and I took it from her."
"Fluky?" He raised a brow.
"The filly. The one I was traveling with?"
He sighed, releasing a small portion of pink cloud. Thankfully, he was far away enough that it didn't matter. "You gave the filly porn?"
"Hey, I didn't know she was looking at it until later!" I blurted defensively.
"And so you kept it." He stated with a flat expression.
"Well..." I paused as I felt my cheeks start turning a shade of red. "Yeah. I mean, it could be useful..." I looked down, now nervous.
He rolled up the magazine and tossed it at me. It struck me in the head and would have landed on the floor, had I not rushed to grab it. "Useful for what?"
"Well... you know... a man gets lonely sometimes..."
He quickly raised a hoof and looked away. "Please stop. I regret asking." He resumed looking through my inventory once more, but found nothing of interest. He gave the bags back to me, which I attached back to my barding. "What was with the suicide note?"
I put the magazine back in the pouch that once held my ammo, before it exploded. "The code on it. I think I saw where the locker was that it belongs to. I want that rifle... and the health potions."
He shook his head and laughed softly. "She was always an odd one..."
"Who?"
"Bouncy House. She was a security mare. Kinda crazy, and had a serious sex addiction, not to mention alcohol, but... she was loyal, at least. Not just to her job, but to her personal life, as well. Didn't go around sleeping with everypony. Only had room for one, and that was all she needed."
"Why was she nicknamed Bouncy House?"
"Why do you think?" He replied with a smirk.
"Well... because she was hyper?"
"Ohhh..." He chuckled.
"What?"
"She was hyper, alright. Hyper in bed. I could hear her through walls. Other security personnel had to respond to noise complaints because of her."
"Well, she sounded... fun." I laughed softly.
He nodded before looking serious again. "What's your name?"
"Charger."
He nodded again, then paused. "Do you get headaches often, Charger?" He started to rasp, but cleared his throat before his coughing started up again.
His question made me tense up. "Uh... Y-yeah, actually... Why?"
"How long have they been occurring?"
"For as long as I can remember..." My brows knitted as I looked at him.
"Mhm..." He stared for a few seconds as he nodded slowly.
"Why are you asking me these questions?"
"No reason." He said quickly. "What about night terrors? Are nightmares common?"
I shook my head with disbelief and sighed. "Y-yeah... Seriously, man. What's all this about?"
"Anxiety? Depression?"
"Yes!" I snapped, now glaring at him. "Now are you going to answer my question? What's with the whole analysis?"
"No reason behind it." He shrugged calmly, then sighed. "Tell me a bit about yourself."
Uh... what?
He continued upon seeing my confused expression. "Call it a way to get to know each other better."
I nodded in agreement, then spoke. "Well, my name is Charger. That much you know already. I was a Steel Ranger, back on the surface."
"A Steel Ranger?" He raised a brow.
"Some advanced force in the wasteland." I stated, not wanting to get worked up on the details... and for good reason...
"And what happened to make you split up from them?"
"What makes you say I did?"
"Well, if I didn't know any better..." He looked around at our surroundings. "I'd say you were lost. Something must have happened to have you get separated from the rest of your group."
I sat there in silence for a few seconds, staring, before I came up with an answer. "We didn't see eye to eye on some things."
"Hm..." He stared back for a while, but the more it did, the creepier it got. I wasn't used to... ghouls. "And this... Fluky. Is she your daughter?"
"My daughter?" I balked. I swear, I've never turned as red as I was right now. "I... no. I uh..." I looked down and closed my eyes, sighing. "I never had a daughter before..."
"Are you a virgin?"
My brows knitted as I looked up at him with an uncanny expression. "Uh... definitely not." I cracked a smile, but deep down, I was feeling miserable... "There was a mare, back in my bunker. Her name was Snow Star. Most beautiful mare I'd ever known."
"Why the past tense?"
I shook my head and sighed. "Because... I can't ever go back... I've been condemned." I lied. Not about being condemned. All that was true. No, I lied about the past tense. I didn't want him knowing... I didn't want anyone knowing...
"So you've been living underground too, huh?"
I nodded. "Yep."
"Do you miss it?"
That question gave me pause. I loathed Bristle, Crimson, Fire, and any other Steel Ranger that was stupid enough to follow through with the orders that were given. But... it was home... Once, it was home... It was all I really knew.
"I think a part of me will always miss it, but like I said, I can't ever return..."
He nodded. "I'll admit, I don't really like your type... but I know what it's like to lose a part of yourself..." The sincerity in his non-scratchy voice said it, too. I swear, I remembered hearing that ghouls weren't supposed to have such smooth voices. His sounded just fine. Another one of the ranger's lies, most likely...
"My type?" I asked, raising a brow. "But you're an earth pony too!"
He paused for several seconds, before continuing. "What an unfortunate circumstance..." He lowered his head. "My deepest condolences for whatever happened to you..."
Uh... okay? What the hell was he talking about...?
With that, I looked down at the stuff he brought on board and lifted one of the bags of books up to me. The first one I pulled had most definitely caught my attention.
The Happy Murder Case.
The cover was black and made of leather, while the text was red.
"This." I quickly turned it over, looking at him in desperate need for answers, pointing a hoof at the title. "What can you tell me about this."
He smiled faintly. "Ah yes... The Happy Case. Dentist gone crazy, back before the bombs. Constantly changed his looks to sway the authorities. No one knew how he did it, but it was done. Always left the sticker of a smiley face next to his victims..." That smile vanished completely as he looked down. "Said victims were left smiling themselves. The book could definitely knock out the duration of this train ride."
I opened the book to the first page.
'Written by Arum Petiole.'
I looked back up at him. "You wrote this?"
He nodded. "I did. I was around when he was, so I figured the knowledge I carried of him could go into text. Plus, the detective that studied the case was in the stable with us. He told me more than his career would have allowed him, but seeing as the world ended..."
I put the book back in the bag and looked outside. "You still haven't told me where we're going."
He rasped, then coughed, turning away from me, as to avoid hurling pink cloud my way. Once he calmed down, he looked back at me with a blank look. "Don't worry about it."
"You know... telling me not to worry about only makes me worry about it." I quickly interjected. "So come on. Enough with the mysterious crap. We gotta work together." I smiled faintly. "Spill it, man."
To my surprise, he nodded in agreement. "Where we're going is for your own benefit. Then we'll find your Fluky and destroy this place once and for all."
Well... that didn't really reveal much, other than it's for my own benefit. Guess I wasn't getting a direct answer from him...
"What is the surface like?" He asked softly.
"Dying." I muttered, to which he slouched.
"Should have figured." He entered another fit of coughing not long after, turning his head away from me. Wisps of pink cloud made their way to the back of the tram. That's when I noticed it was starting to build up. He calmed down and looked back at me. "Word of advice? Don't become a ghoul."
"How did you even become one?"
"I thought I told you. I was experimenting, and it backfired."
"Yes, but you didn't specify how. I mean, where's the scratchy voice? Why aren't you like the ones I kept hearing about?"
He sighed, glanced at the rear of the tram, gritted his rotted teeth, and looked back at me. "Sorry..." He put his helmet on and continued. "I was trying to find a cure for the F-virus."
"F-virus."
"Fungus." He replied simply. "I was trying all these different components, but nothing was working. I had even gone into cold storage and picked out some samples to see if anything would." He shook his head. "No luck there. I went to the one last place I dared to go." He paused and shuddered. "The tree..."
"Is that why there's a small branch sticking out of your head?"
He nodded. "Unfortunately. The T-virus-"
"Wait, T-virus?"
"Short for Timber. Stop interrupting. It's rude." We both went quiet for a few seconds, and he resumed. "Anyways... the T-virus didn't exactly work with me too well. Upon letting it interact with the F-virus, there were... complications."
"Like?"
"They fought each other for control. But through their fighting, they became stronger simultaneously. They were helping each other, even if by accident." He sighed and shook his head, looking down. "There are infected around the stable that are... stronger than just a normal one. Should we come across any, I strongly advise you to turn and run the other way."
I nodded slowly. "Alright... But what about you? What happened to you?"
"Since I was infected with the T-virus, I put a halt on my research on the F-virus to attempt finding a cure for myself. In doing so, I came across a discovery in the lab notes, prior to the infection of 32. It was strictly prohibited to be made, but I was running out of time, and there weren't a whole lot of other options left."
"What did you make?"
"The pink cloud... I knew how dangerous it was, but if I had just a small sample of it... maybe it would work. Maybe."
"And it did?"
There was a brief pause before he answered, almost as if he were trying to find the right way to say it. "Within a manner of speaking... See, the T-virus couldn't continue the spread of infection, or the stages of infection, if the host was dead. I was already halfway through the stages before I would have succumbed to it. But upon dying from the pink, it halted the infection."
"So you intended to kill yourself?"
"Absolutely not. I knew the risk, but I was hoping to have survived through its effects. I had reason to believe that if it could kill fairly easily, that it could kill off the virus. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I both underestimated and overestimated its power."
There was a brief pause between us, before I started up again. "Have you ever tried to tear out the branch in the side of your head?"
"Many times. But it's both excruciating and a waste of time. It'll just grow back."
My brows knitted as I looked at him, confused. "But wait... you just said that the infection-"
"Came to a halt, yes. I can't quite explain why the branch keeps growing... As for my voice, I was lucky enough to keep my original one. The T-virus had messed with my vocals to the point where it canceled out certain elements of ghoulification. Most of my vocal cords now consist of... well, the best way to describe it is 'vines.'"
"Is that why you're coughing all the time?"
"No." He shook his head. "That would be from the pink."
"Why not just call it the P-virus?" I smirked, but something told me he didn't share my sentiment under that helmet, which made my smirk vanish after a few seconds of silence between us.
"It's not a virus." He replied in a cold, harsh tone. "It's a chemical-based weapon. There's a distinct difference between the two." He paused, then added, remaining still as if moving would hurt him somehow. "The pink was used in certain areas around Equestria, when the bombs dropped. I heard Canterlot was hit pretty hard by it... but those are just rumors. A nation-wide terror, some of the channels on the radio said. The rest said it was worldwide, reaching all the way to the Zebra Lands and beyond. As far as I care, the media was all just full of rumors too."
"Actually..." I started, looking down with a somber expression. "It's true. We got video footage from another chapter of the Steel Rangers. Celestia and Luna's shield still surround the area, and there was a massive cloud of pink held within. I saw it myself. I don't know about the disaster being worldwide though."
"Hm..." He looked out the window and went silent for a short while. "I suppose that means the princesses are dead, then."
"One can only assume. I mean, no one's heard from them in over two centuries."
"Only makes sense." He rasped, then coughed for a bit. "I imagine the world would be a lot better, had they still been around. They would have done something to make life better for all of us." He put a hoof to his throat and groaned. "I'm going to rest my voice for a bit. Talking too much strains my vocals..." He pointed his other hoof at the several saddle bags between us. "Feel free to look through anything during the ride. It'll take some time before we arrive."
I nodded, then reached down for one of the bags, bringing it up with me, doing my best to not move my injured leg. All the books in here were leather journals, all of which had Petiole's name written on the inside, followed by an issue number. They started from 1 and ended at 5. He kept it all organized, seeing as the first book I had pulled out from the selection was issue 1, and the last one was the fifth.
Most of the first journal consisted of stuff about medical procedures and theories on different medicines. There were notes here and there, which belonged more in a diary than it did a medical journal.

This would be my first week in Stable 32. First week underground... I can't believe they actually did it... I imagine by now that the world is no more than fire and ash, consuming all.
There are some here that are claustrophobic, which isn't helping any of the others cope with what happened. Mansia and I were lucky enough to get a spot reserved for us on that list, when we did. Otherwise, we... Well... no point in getting into that.
The lab equipment here is top of the line. Stable-Tec went all out with this place. I guess considering this stable was specifically designed for medicinal research, it was to be expected. The labs here are very spacious, which is good for operations and experiments.
There's a rather... unusual elevator, however. I discovered through the map layout of the stable that it goes in all directions, instead of just up and down. How weird is that?
Another thing I discovered is that this stable was equipped with its own subway station that, by the looks of it, goes all around the structure. That'll definitely come in handy. So long as everypony gives others the chance to use it. I'm still not sure how I feel about that elevator...
Mansia is distracting herself with her studies. It's not going so well for me, unfortunately. Sleepless nights, despite how tired I am... I work myself too hard, I wouldn't be surprised if I just died from exhaustion.
I noticed through the subway maps that there's an unmarked station in the stable. The tracks just lead to a dead end, but I feel like there's something more there... Something that we're being kept in the dark about.

I looked for more on that, but for a while, the pages just showed diagrams of plants, descriptions, and more medicinal facts that went right over my head. Serves me right for not being a scientist know-it-all. This stuff was beyond boring to me.
Eventually, I came across another entry.

The overmare called everypony up for a meeting, maybe a month after we first moved in. Honestly, I don't know what day it is anymore. We don't get out much...
Anyways, she spoke of the dead end in the subway. Guess I wasn't the only one wondering about it.
She went on to say that the dead end had led to a farm of sorts. A... get this... mushroom farm. She had kept it closed off from even security personnel until she deemed it safe for entry. Guess she was worried about cave-ins or something like that. Who knows...
Anyways, it turns out that Stable-Tec wasn't able to complete the tram system to the farm, so she's hiring any security and maintenance to create an end to it, so that when we go down there, we won't race right off the tracks and kill ourselves. A sort of expansion for 32. Smart thinking, hoss.
Me? I'll keep to my science. I didn't come here for heavy lifting. I'm a scientist, not a bodybuilder.

I flipped the page, expecting more science notes. I had been right. Too right, actually, seeing as the rest of the book was filled with science stuff.
I closed the book and went to the second issue. After several pages of more gibberish that I couldn't wrap my head around, I found another entry.

There's rumor going around that deep beyond the farm, they found a mine. There was the beginning of a track for mining carts, but the rest of it was blocked off by a cave in. Security and maintenance went to the overmare with this news. According to Bouncy House, she demanded it be opened and searched.
There are some, however, who feel something darker at play here. Omegas won't go in the tunnels again, and he's the chief of security. To think he'd be spooked by this. Said he keeps hearing something on the other side. Everyone else is just telling him it's rocks falling from the blockage, but he won't let it go. He's been pretty snappy lately, too. I can't say I blame him, really. The world blew up about five months ago (I think).
Iron and Bouncy are more on the curious side, but they told me they've been hearing some things too. They say they're more on the skeptical side, but... I can see the worry in their eyes.
The overmare ordered everyone down there to keep it hush hush, and even though they shouldn't have, they told Mansia and I anyways. We can keep a secret though. It's nice to know they trust us so easily.

To my surprise, the next page contained another entry. No scientific data was in the way this time.

I've been debating on what to give Mansia on our four year anniversary. She's been 'subtly' hinting that she would like a new accessory for her mane. However, I'm afraid that the stuff in 32 wouldn't really suit her. I've been pondering on giving her something to satisfy her sweet tooth. Just need to make sure it doesn't contain tree nuts. She would never forgive me for nearly killing her... not that I want to. Ever.
Honestly, I might get her some pomegranates. They're expensive - especially now that the world ended - but anything is worth it if it means making my love happy. Mansia's been craving sex a lot lately, I noticed. I'm not really big on the whole thing, but I like making her happy.
I'll see about stocking up on extra bits to get her the best accessory on the market, and some pomegranates. Might only be able to get one of the two, anyhow.

I looked through the rest of the book, but there was nothing about his personal life. Just more notes on science. I did, however, find a small note on the second to last page.

A pony has 32 chromosomes. This place, which is meant for the research on biology and growth, is called Stable 32. Coincidence?

Huh... The more you know...
I closed the book, then went to the next. There was nothing of any real interest to me, so I moved on to the next. Still, there was nothing. I moved to the last issue, and towards the end, I found another entry. One last entry, on the last page filled with scientific data.

Hey, Mansia. I'm writing to you because... well, I'm alone now. Everyone is dead... yourself included... But you're the closest one to my heart, and writing a letter, even though it'll never be read by your eyes... it brings me some small comfort... Almost like I'm talking to you.
Funny how our lives turned out in the end, huh? Everyone gets infected with that damn fungus... All our friends... Our neighbors... The machines going berserk and killing everyone that hadn't already been infected... They seem to be building more models with that stupid assembly line the overmare ordered to be built, once that mine was opened. Turns out Omegas was right about the mine being a mistake, after all. He's probably dead, too. I imagine Bouncy is as well. Hopefully Iron and the others got out of the station, but I doubt it.
I'm... afraid this may be the end for me, too. I don't want to die. I'm scared, Mansia... And I miss you. I miss everyone. I wish things could go back to normal...
I'm infected with the T-virus. I've been trying to find a cure, but... nothing so far. I have one last idea, but it's extremely dangerous, and there's a very good chance that I could die from it. But if it works, and I live... maybe I could bring you back. Bring everyone back... and we could put an end to this nightmare once and for all.
I love you, Mansia. If I die with this one final desperate attempt, then I'll see you in the Everafter, should that be where my soul ends up.
Goodbye, my love.
Petiole.

I gently closed the book and tucked it back in the saddle bag, along with the others; making sure to keep them all organized. I put it back down with the rest of his stuff as if it were fragile glass and kept my head down.
I shouldn't have read something so personal. I should have stopped once I found out this was more on a personal level. It wasn't my business.
"You read my entries." He stated softly; his voice hoarse.
"Yeah, uh..." I looked out at the faint lights that scrolled past outside of the tram. "I'm sorry..."
"Don't be. They were written long ago." He looked away from me, towards the front of the tram. "I still miss her, though. I always have... and I always will."
"Did you and her ever...?" He looked at me for a few seconds, waiting for me to finish my question. "You know... have children?"
He sighed and shook his head. "No... We tried many times, but... it never worked. We both had an analysis done on us, but there was something wrong on her end. They couldn't figure out the cause, but the foal would always come out stillborn..." He shook his head again. "Can we not talk about it? Two centuries later, and it still brings tears, even as an undead monster."
"I'm sorry..." I said softly. "I'll drop it."
The two of us went quiet. There wasn't much more to be said. Even if there was, I didn't think he was really in the mood to talk anymore.
I laid my head against the wall behind me and looked out the window, watching the dim lights of the tunnel zoom past, until my eyelids forced themselves shut.


(((((((◉)))))))


At once, I shot up gasping, flailing my arms around as the high pitched tone of an alarm woke me from my slumber.
I was sitting in the tram, and it came to my attention that we were coming up to another subway station. I turned to Petiole, who was watching me silently behind his visor.
"Nightmare?"
I sighed, closed my mouth, and then smacked the back of my head against the wall behind me with a light thud. "More like a memory..."
"Must have been a bad one, then." He stated. He wasn't entirely wrong. It was nice at one point in my life. But after a while, it just hurt to think about. Things went quiet between us until the tram came to a complete stop. "We're here. Can you walk?"
I sat up straight, then landed on three hooves. "Let's hit the road." I said with a pained smirk and groggy tone.
He regarded me for a short while before leading the way.
"Hey, what about your stuff?" I pointed at the various saddle bags he brought with him on the tram.
"Leave them." He said calmly. "We'll be coming back here shortly."
I looked back at his supplies, then hesitantly followed him through the station we had stopped at. This one was much smaller than the one we were at previously, as that one was more for the public. This one seemed more... reserved.
There weren't any vending machines, ticket booths, or turnstyles. Not even a second floor. Just a restroom and a door at the end of a short stretch of corridor. Everything was of metal instead of tile, but it looked rather grimy, rough, and uncared for.
Probably because it was uncared for.
The lights flickered and buzzed overhead, but it was nowhere near as bad as the entrance to the stable.
He started for the metal door on the other end of the corridor, and I followed; doing my best to stay off my stump.
The trip was made in silence. He had nothing to say to me, apparently. I had a lot of questions, but I had a strong feeling in my gut that at this point, they would go unanswered.
We stopped at a door, and he looked up at something that could only be described as a complicated intercom. I had never seen anything like it before, which was weird for an ex Steel Ranger to think about. It was built in above the door.
"Initiate commanding override, Petiole 78396510308." A red light flashed next to the apparatus he spoke to, and a loud buzzing echoed throughout the station, causing me to jump back in alarm. I looked around, expecting something to come out and ambush us from behind, but so far, nothing showed. I continued to keep watch on our six, just in case.
The obnoxious buzzing came to a sudden halt, and he spoke to the system again, as if he were waiting for the noise to cease. "Open lab door to Gamma Station 5.8-4."
The red light turned green after a few seconds of metal clicking from within the lock mechanism of the door, and it slid open with one metallic scream.
"Follow." Petiole said, walking in calmly.
Reluctantly, I did as he said, taking in my new surroundings.
Inside the room, which also consisted of a steel interior, were three tables; one in the center, and two more pressed up against the left wall. The first one to the left held a series of tools and equipment. If I didn't know any better, this was an interrogation room...
Straight ahead, there was another door. But it remained shut.
"Uh... what is this?" I looked around the room warily; my ears folding back as I lifted one forehoof a bit and rubbed it along my other nervously.
"This... Charger..." He turned and regarded me; his rear now facing the startling display of tools. "Will help you." He turned around, picking up a syringe off the right table. There was a clear liquid held within, but I didn't know what it was. He nodded his head to the table. "Strip and lie down."
"Wait, hold on... what is that?" I pointed at the syringe that had been attached to his hoof by a metal brace that I hadn't quite noticed was there until just now. It looked to be a part of the armor he wore.
He released an exasperated sigh behind his helmet, staring at me. "It'll help you."
"How do I know I can trust you?" I asked defensively, backing up towards the door.
"The same reason I can trust you, Charger. You, a complete stranger, came here, even through all the danger you had to face. That earned you some level of trust, at least. I just want to help you." He paused, but my expression wasn't changing for the better. He shook his head and looked down. "Please, let me help..."
I glanced behind me, then back at him. "If you kill me, I'm going to come back as a ghost and haunt your ass."
"Duly noted." He replied with a single nod. "Take off your armor and lie your back against the table."
I sighed before, with a great deal of hesitation, I stripped from my barding and got up on the metal surface of the table, rolling over on my back.
I looked over at his masked figure, finally realizing something he had said to me when we first met. He was in the process of cleaning an area with some alcohol, which gave a beige spot on my coat, surrounded by red. I really needed to take a shower after this... if I survived, that is.
"Hey, before you stab me with that..." I started, and his visor met my eyes. "You said something earlier about me... finally arriving. Did you mean me specifically?"
He laughed softly and shook his head. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Oh yeah?" I smirked. "Try me. I have enough crazy stuff happening in my life that chances are I will believe you."
"No." He said firmly, making me frown. "We're on the clock. Maybe someday, I'll tell you. But not right now." Without warning, he gently stuck the needle into my skin. It didn't hurt as bad as I had thought it would, actually. It didn't feel good, but it wasn't horrible, like some people made it out to be.
... Then I felt myself getting strapped down to the table by my limbs. "H-Hey!" I called out. "What gives?"
"This is for your own good." Petiole replied. "You... might feel a tiny pinch." Then I heard something sizzling as he walked to my legs, as if metal were burning.
"L-let me go you psychopath!"
"I really am sorry about this." Before I could say anything, the hissing of a hot, metal surface amplified at the touch of my stump. I screamed and thrashed around in the binds, but he kept it there for a long period of time that felt like forever to me. The corners of my vision were quickly growing darker, as they had many times before in certain, recent situations. Sounds became muffled, and despite the horrible burning sensation against my skin, I found myself too weak to fight it anymore. The stench of my burning coat filled my nostrils as my eyes closed.
All went dark...


(((((((◉)))))))


My eyes shot open wide as I took deep breaths, groaning. My stump felt like it was on fire, and the air still reeked of burnt flesh.
I looked to my left and right, but Petiole wasn't on either side. Tilting my head up, I was only greeted by the closed door that led to the station.
First ghoul I ever met, and I ended up getting tortured by him... Lovely.
Clenching my teeth, I forced myself to sit up, realizing I wasn't strapped down anymore. "Goddess damn it..." I opened my eyes and immediately froze at what I saw.
I had a hoof again. Not my hoof, but it was a hoof...
I ran the tip of my left fore against its metal surface. It was black, like the upgraded sentries I had seen earlier. That's when I noticed another addition to my body. I had a black Pipbuck locked around my left forehoof. Well... at least that was detachable...
There were six tiny furrows that ran up and down the metal structure of the hoof, and in each one were two small tesla coils; one on one end, and the other on the opposite, pointing at each other.
I gently traced the tip of my forehoof along the edge, where it began to meet burnt, scarred flesh. The seering pain in my leg flared up, immediately causing me to pull it back and hiss behind my teeth. "Okay... No touching..." I shook my head and whimpered, tilting my head to the ceiling. "Fuck... why...?"
This wasn't what I expected... I didn't want this...
A small, red light lit up on each end of the trenches simultaneously, and quite suddenly, everything grew lighter. Like it had been before losing my real hoof. The one I wanted back...
I heard Petiole speaking in the distance, and looking ahead at the door I had made note of earlier, which was now left open, I saw him standing there alone, facing away from me. All around him was a small field of flowers and trees, and a single light shined down on him as he whispered to himself.
I rolled off the table, and upon impact, a loud, metal bang occurred. More of that agonizing torment shot through my leg, causing me to raise it a little so that it didn't have to interact with the floor.
Why did my head hurt so much...?
I limped through the open doorway after slipping back into my barding and made my way through the field. Like the park in 32, it was as if I stepped into a completely different area in Equus that was left untouched by the bombs or their aftermath. Perhaps even another dimension. That wasn't the case though, and I knew that.
Once Petiole was in hearing range, maybe a few feet away, I stopped. He was talking to someone else. Something that was once living...
She stood before him; her head bent down, and her horn pointing at him. Her solidified mane sheltered her eyes. Vines wrapped around her hooves, and flowers grew around her. Even in her situation, I couldn't help but think of her as beautiful. The others showed pain and anguish, but she looked like she had gone peacefully.
"-love you, my shining star." Petiole whispered as he caressed her cheek with an armored hoof. "I... I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you... I failed... and I'm sorry..." He hung his head down and stood there in silence for what felt like minutes, until he finally resumed. "I'll carry you in my heart, always. I hope that one day, we are to meet again..." He leaned in for a gentle, loving kiss on the cheek.
I shouldn't have been listening to this. It wasn't my business... but... surely he knew I was there, right? I mean, I wasn't exactly quiet on the way here. If he had a problem with me being here, surely he would have said something.
He grabbed his helmet from the ground before him and slipped it on over his head, before continuing. "I have to go now, my love... I'm so sorry, Mansia..." He placed a hoof under her chin, but shortly after, backed away from her, just out of reach. He sighed and looked straight ahead. "You're awake."
I limped forward a few steps. "Yeah."
"Does it hurt?" He asked simply before looking back at me.
"Yes." The entire time I stood there, I had been fighting to keep my hoof off the ground, but my leg was starting to ache.
He pulled out a syringe from a pouch in his armor and stepped forward. "Lucky for you, I have a Med-X supply. Helps soothe the pain."
I kept my ground as he approached, and he poked my raised hindleg with the needle, injecting the medicine into my system. It acted quick, for sure. I was already feeling it simmer down the moment he took the needle out.
"That should do it." He said in his monotone voice as he put the syringe back in his pouch. "Now, do you have any questions?"
"Yeah, actually." I stared flatly. "Quite a few." I pointed an accusing hoof at him, glaring now. "You never mentioned turning me into a cyberpony! I mean, how the hell am I supposed to get anywhere like this!?"
"You got this far on your own, didn't you?"
My mouth opened, then closed as my brows knitted. "I... oh... you... Urgh!" I sat my rear down hard, wincing a little. Without the Med-X, I wouldn't have even tried. "I didn't ask for this!" I pointed at the metal hoof that was now a part of me. The Pipbuck was actually pretty nice, but the metal hoof... That was a deal breaker.
"Would you rather go without a hoof, period?"
I took a deep breath and shook my head, trying to calm myself. "Well... no... but... surely there could have been other alternatives!?"
"I'm afraid not. Not at this moment, anyways. We don't have the right equipment, and we don't have the time. This was the quickest way."
"Fuck!" I slammed my hoof on a bed of flowers, and quite suddenly, came the sound of electricity crackling. I looked around in a panic. "What is that!?" I really didn't want to have to fight something...
"That's you." Petiole stated casually, then pointed at the metal hoof. I looked down to find red electrical currents dancing between the coils in each slit.
"W-what the fuck!?" I stared at him in bafflement. "Why is it happening!?"
He rubbed his chin. "Well, the implant I put in your brain is working, at least."
I was quickly back to glaring, and the electrical current grew brighter. "The what?"
"I put a chip in your head that reads your emotions, and sends the signal to your hoof. Depending on how you feel, the charge will activate. Like right now, for instance." He paused, then added with a slight chuckle under his breath. "A fitting trait for a pony with a name such as yours... Charger."
"Okayyy..." I gritted my teeth, trying my best to ignore his little comment about my name suiting this new... ability. "That's great... Now how do I turn the bastard off?"
"By calming down." He started to walk past me casually. "I did you a favor, Charger. I hope you come to realize that soon." There was a short pause before I heard him stop in his tracks. "Let's go. We must act with haste. There's not much time. I imagine by now that the infected have already reached the park on the surface. It'll be difficult just finding all the ones that escaped before they reach other ponies... Hopefully the blast will wipe them all out."
I nodded slowly before standing up and turning around to follow him.
Our trip back to the tram was made in silence. That was fine by me. I didn't want to talk. Not now. I was definitely not in the mood, judging by the raging electrical storm in my new hoof.
When we stepped out of the room and into the corridor to the station, he looked back for one long moment at his wife, who stood in a spotlight, surrounded by nature. For one moment, he just stared. Silently watching her, as if he were waiting for her to come back.
But that moment passed. He turned his head and spoke as he walked down the hall. "Seal lab door to Gamma Station  5.8-4"
The alarm buzzed, and soon after, she disappeared behind a wall of thick steel. The green light overhead that had flashed when the alarm went off soon turned red, and then turned off completely.
I stared at the door for a few more seconds in silence before turning away and following close behind.
The replacement was a bit weird to work with, and each step both sent a sharp pain in my leg, along with a loud metal stomp.
The two of us got back in the tram and I sat down in my original spot, while Petiole went in the cab. Throughout the time we were stopped at this station, the pink cloud in the back of the tram had escaped and dissipated. I hoped it didn't linger as an invisible danger.
Petiole poked his head out of the cab and looked at me behind his black, thin visor.  "Retrace your steps. What are all the places you visited since you got here?"
I looked back at him, thinking for a few seconds. "Well... we came in through the main entrance."
"Obviously..." He muttered.
I stared at him flatly, and the electrical current boosted. "You want me to be thorough, or are you gonna make little remarks like that?"
He paused for a second, before continuing with a slight nod. "My apologies. Please, continue."
I told him of all the places Fluky and I had visited along the way, making sure to keep it short.
His only response was, "Oh my... This may be harder than I thought."
"Yeah, you think?" I faced the back of the train again, closing my eyes.
"We'll need to make a stop at another station, then. You're gonna need a gun if you're going back there."
I cracked open an eye, looking at him. "You don't have a gun on you?"
He shook his head. "Didn't think I'd ever need one, seeing as I never really had to deal with the threats once I learned how to cloak myself from the machines." He traced a hoof along the green, glowing lines along his suit.
"That actually works?" I opened my other eye and studied his armor. "The machines leave you alone?"
"So long as I keep it on and lit, yes."
"Great." I grinned. "So then we can go back to that room that Bouncy House was talking about and get that rifle. And by we, I of course mean you." I pointed a hoof at him, keeping that grin.
"Me?" He said, taken aback as he pointed a hoof to his chest. "But..."
I interrupted him with a nod to my metal hoof. "You really think I'm fit to be going anywhere? I'm a target. Unlike you. Who can walk through all of Stable 32, all willy nilly, no harm done. So you can go get it, and I'll sit here on my sweet ass napping until you get back."
I heard him grumble under his breath, and then finally sigh. "I suppose that's... fair..."
"Good." My smile returned. I didn't realize I was clenching my teeth until my lips curled. I relaxed my aching jaw and groaned from the slight pain in my leg that refused to go away entirely. "I'm glad we agreed on this."
"I'm not..." He muttered, turning back to the controls of the cab. "But... I will admit, it does make more sense if I go. Like you said, you're in no condition for battle."
"Looks like we have a new manager for the stating-the-obvious department, folks."
I heard him sigh, just before the doors to the tram closed. We started moving back the way we came as he stepped out of the cab. "Are you always a smart ass?"
I smiled faintly and shook my head. "Nope. Only sometimes." I pointed a hoof at him as my smile widened a little. "I do, however, have a sweet ass."
He looked away, and I imagined he rolled his eyes behind that helmet. "I should knock her upside the head for it. It's unbecoming."
My smile faltered. "Believe me, I'd do it myself, just for the sake of it." I looked out the window as we made our way down to the residential part of the stable. "Fucking piece of shit..." My hoof started crackling louder.
"I sense conflict."
I looked over at him, then sighed. "Long story. Not gonna get into it right now." I glanced at my electrically charged hoof, then back at him. "Probably for the best we avoid talking about it anyways."
"Judging by the way your hoof is acting, I second that."
"So... is there any real purpose to the light show?" I pointed at the active teslas, but kept my hoof a safe distance away from the dancing bolts of electricity. "Or did you just add them as some sort of sick joke in regards to my name?"
He shook his head calmly and replied. "That was just a bonus feature. Static charged bucks. Hit something, it discharges the energy that's built up and sends it all to the sorry loser that had the misfortune to cross you."
... Okay, that was actually pretty useful. I was still upset about having this forever be a part of me, but at least I had a silver lining. My head was still pounding like crazy, though. I didn't feel any scars around my head.
"How did you get the chip in my brain?" I asked, rubbing my temple gently.
"Needle injection."
"So... it's-"
"-of a microscopic level."
A microchip...
I nodded slowly, and we both seemed to notice that the electrical storm in my hoof was slowly starting to calm down.
"So why is it red then? That doesn't make sense. Electricity shouldn't be red."
"Yes. It's odd, isn't it?" He looked down at my hoof. "I suppose that's what happens when we use tungstian as a conductor."
"Tungstian?" I raised a brow in response. "Don't you mean tungsten?"
"No. I mean tungstian. It's a rare metal." He looked down and spoke softer. "It's the reason 32 is how it is now. Had it not been for the overmare's obsession for the resource, we wouldn't have been slaughtered. Now machines are building themselves, and viruses run rampant."
"Tell me more about that." I adjusted myself to sit more comfortably. I was starting to grow aches from sitting still too long. "The machines, I mean."
"What would you like to know?"
"Well... how did it get out of control? How did it all start?"
He paused for a few seconds, thinking to himself. "Hm... At first, we had Robronco's robots to help us around the place. Everything was fine with them. But once the tungstian was being put to use, and the overmare decided to make an assembly line for more, using the new metal from the mine... we were asking for trouble. By the time the machines turned on us, we had built an army of them. We were going to use them to fend off any intruders. Anything that managed to break into the stable from the surface, or the things from the mine. Instead, they went haywire with security protocols and started gunning everypony down to 'contain the threat of infection.' Their orders were in the right place, but the way they executed those orders was most unorthodox."
I imagined other ponies that had once lived here getting their guts torn open by Gutsy and Handy units. With that mental image, I shuddered and shook the thought away. "What about the original models, though? What made them go crazy?"
"They were all connected to the same server." Petiole said simply. "So they all went corrupt. Something I can't quite describe, however, is that Robronco models and the Tungstian models seem to be at war with each other. They've been going at it ever since the outbreak."
"Sounds like jealousy." I smirked.
"If they had emotions, I'd agree."
There was a brief moment of silence as we looked at each other, to which I spoke. "I was... kidding..."
"I know."
Shaking my head and rolling my eyes, I decided to change the topic. This guy didn't really know what a joke was, did he? "So what happened to the overmare?"
"I'm not quite sure, honestly. I imagine by now, she's either a ghoul or dead. The latter is more possible than the former though. As far as I'm aware, she wasn't exposed to the pink, or any gamma waves."
The stable door's been left open for a long time, by the looks of it. Do you think maybe she could have opened it and escaped?"
"It's possible." Petiole nodded. "If that's the case, then I only hope that someone gave 32 justice for all the damage she's caused. She was never fit to be in charge of anything this big..."
"Sounds like someone I knew." I said under my breath, looking ahead.
A spotlight moved in the distance before us. I stopped and stared, and soon enough, I realized it was getting bigger and brighter.
"Petiole, make the tram go the other way..." I pointed a hoof at the light that moved dangerously close, and upon looking over, he jumped to his hooves, groaning as he walked to the controls. The wheels of the tram on the tracks screeched as we slowed to a halt, but the light didn't slow down.
Petiole stopped by my side, watching it. We were slowly starting to move the other direction, but we weren't picking up enough speed.
"It's going to hit us." He stated simply.
I grabbed a hold of one of the bars next to me and held on, ready for the impact.
The sound of wheels and something heavy rolling through grew as time went on. The blinding light shined through the windows of the tram.
With an ear deafening crash of metal against metal, the tram jolted about. Petiole collapsed on his stomach, and I was thrown around in my seat, before feeling the back of my head slam against the wall behind me...


(((((((◉)))))))


I found myself sitting in a theater. All the seats - which were red - were empty, save for mine. The walls to my left and right were of red velvet, and stretched out before me was a clean, black screen. The lights in the corners of the room allowed me to see all around, but there wasn't much to look at. It was lonely in here... Cold, quiet, and lonely...
Looking behind me, I found a small window. A camera pointed at the glass pane, but that was all I saw from where I sat, which was fairly close to the back row.
The lights went dim, and not long after, did I hear the reeling of a film. The screen lit up, showing a countdown that started from 5.
4.
3.
It hadn't reached 1, or even 2 for that matter, before the screen went black, followed by an abrupt beep, which only lasted for a fraction of a second.
An image popped up a few seconds later, showing from a first person view, a small, tan colored fox and a white, furry stomach with big, pointy ears atop it's head. It lied on the host's legs, sleeping. A tiny, grey coated hoof stroked its head gently as it snoozed happily.
The scene quickly changed to the host - who was now a little bit taller than before, judging by how high up the view was from the floor - walking through a park that flourished with life. Colts and fillies ran around, laughing and playing. Other ponies, such as the host, took in the beauty of this place. The nature. The fresh air.
Birds - real, living birds - sang as they soared through the calm breeze that brushed against the leaves of trees. The sky was a bright blue; a few clouds here and there.
The host seemed to admire their surroundings. A little too much, as they weren't paying attention to what was ahead of them.
Before they knew it, he slammed into another, making an 'umph' sound as he fell back. The unicorn mare before him was on the ground; a series of papers scattered around her, looking a little dazed.
She shook her head and looked at him with a simple expression after blinking once, to which he stood up and reached out a hoof. "I am so sorry... I wasn't paying attention."
She grabbed his hoof and smiled faintly as she rose to her hooves, then spoke in a soft voice. "Oh, it's okay... I suppose I wasn't really paying much attention either..." She looked around at the mess, and her horn lit up. The pale brown aura  from her horn wrapped around the papers and levitated them into one, neat stack. She sighed and smiled, then looked back at the host. "Sorry for... all this." She laughed under her breath and look around. She turned back to him with a raised brow and a smirk. "What's your name?"
"Petiole." The host replied. "And yours?"
"Mansia."
The scene quickly shifted to another; showing her in the entrance of a cave with a drenched mane, looking out at the dark, rainy forest outside. Petiole was beside her, laughing softly.
"Well... look at the bright side." He started. "It could have been a lot worse."
She looked back at him and smiled. "How optimistic of you."
"You still have a dorky first name." He laughed more aloud, and her ears folded back as she frowned.
"I should have kept you believing Mansia was my first name..."
"Oh, come on." He poked her chest with a hoof. "I still like you. A lot."
Her smiled soon returned, and she hugged him tight. "I like you too, Petooee."
"It's Petiole, actually."
That earned him a giggle behind his ear.
The scene changed; this time, it showed a letter from a medical school. I didn't get to read it all before he tore his eyes from the paper. Turned out he was a faster reader than I.
He looked up at Mansia, who seemed eager to find out what it said.
"I got in!" Petiole said happily, to which she cheered and hugged him tight.
"I knew you would!"
A new scene took place, showing her in a wedding dress, staring into his eyes lovingly, with a smile that told him she was the happiest mare in the world. A stallion stood in a tuxedo between Petiole and Mansia, awaiting her response.
"I do." She said with that same, soft voice as earlier.
The scene changed again, showing her in a red, velvet dress. Much like the walls of the theater I sat in.
She stood in the doorway of a high end hotel room, giving him seductive eyes and a bite of her bottom lip. The room was dimly lit by candle light.
The next scene that followed was of her out of that dress; her back pressed up against the bed as her body was pushed up and down along the sheets. Her eyes were closed as she moaned his name, and in the background, I could hear a distinct, wet slapping sound that I knew all too well with my experiences with Snow Star, back in the bunker.
I missed her... I missed sex, too... But I missed her the most. I missed her company...
Another scene took place, showing him standing on a stage, looking out at a small audience, while another pony announced his graduation. Mansia was in that crowd, smiling up at him.
The next scene quickly came up, showing her holding a pregnancy test in her magic. It came up positive. She was jumping up and down in excitement, cheering and laughing, before looking at Petiole, who was laughing as he watched her.
She moved in for a deep, passionate kiss, and he embraced her. The screen went dark for a few seconds, but when his eyelids cracked open, she was looking deep into his eyes, smiling.
"I love you so much, Petiole..." She said in a whisper, before hugging him tight.
"I love you too, my shining star..."
Another scene was revealed, showing him performing surgery on a patient. There were a few other doctors in the room with him, watching from a distance until he gave orders.
Not much happened, before a new scene took place. He sat in a waiting room, but for what, I didn't know.
He looked over to reveal Mansia sitting beside him. "I'm sure things will be okay..." He put his hoof over hers, and she looked over with a worried expression.
"But what if... what if it's not...?"
"Then..." He took a deep breath. "We'll keep trying. I won't give up on this..."
She nodded slowly, but there was no smile of reassurance on her face. She looked away and sighed. "I mean... we could always adopt... if it ever came to that... but..." She froze.
"But it wouldn't be the same..." Petiole finished, looking down.
The scene changed again. Mansia was sitting at a table, covering her face with her hooves as she broke down in tears.
Petiole sat beside her, reaching his arm out across her shoulders and holding her close. "I'm so sorry..." He spoke softly. "Surely there's something we can do..."
She turned to him with red, puffy eyes. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I don't believe him! It can't be true!" She shouted. "It's not!"
"He's a doctor..."
"Doctor's have been wrong before!" She shook her head hard and looked down. "No... I don't believe him. I want to try again." She looked up into his eyes. "I need to. Please..." She hugged him tight; her snotty muzzle buried into his chest. "Please, let us try again..."
He nodded slowly and kissed the top of her head. "We'll try for as long as you wish... Anything for you, Mansia..."
She shuddered and whimpered under her breath, but through all that, she kept reiterating the same thing.
"It's not fair..."
When the scene changed again, so did her mood. She was smiling. She was happy. She was tucked in bed with a bulge for a belly. Petiole walked in with a tray of breakfast and set it down before her.
"There you are, my queen."
She laughed and blushed. "Such a charmer." She leaned in and kissed him on the lips. "I don't know what I'd do without you, my king."
He opened the blinds to let the sunlight pour in, then turned around to face her. "How are they doing?" He looked down at her belly, and she murred softly.
"I felt a kick earlier." She stifled a giggle with her hoof. "They're excited to meet you."
"I'm excited to meet them." He said happily before sitting beside her, looking into those beautiful violet eyes of hers.
The scene changed.
This time, it was of her sitting in bed, looking down at the sheets before her, in a dark room. Rain pattered against the window outside. The blinds were closed.
Petiole stood in the doorway quietly. She didn't seem to notice him.
"Mansia...?" He asked in a near whisper.
She looked up at him with a blank expression on her face. "Hey... Petiole..."
"What... what's going on...?" He stepped forward, then noticed the surgical scar on her flattened stomach. "W-what happened to our baby...?"
She choked and gasped, wincing as if she were just burnt.
"Mansia... baby, please..." He rushed forward and sat down before her. "What happened?" He spoke louder out of worry.
"Oh stop." She rolled her eyes and lifted a bottle of whiskey to her lips, taking a few large gulps, before coughing and dropping the bottle on the mattress, spilling a good portion over the sheets. "We both know what happened..." She looked back into his eyes as tears broke free. "I'm broken." She smiled sadly, tears forming. "Nothing but damaged goods..."
Tears obscured his vision of her as he sobbed, getting onto the bed with her and hugging her tight. "Mansia... Y-you're more than that. A lot more... Don't... don't say that about yourself..."
"Why do you even want me, Petiole?" She snapped. "I'm no good!"
He looked at her for a few quiet seconds as she continued to break down. "I want you, because I love you for who you are..." He moved in close again and hugged her. She sat there, stiff for a short while, before she gave in and hugged him back, bawling her eyes out.
"I love you too, Petiole!" She cried out. "Please don't ever leave..."
"I'd never..." He spoke softly in her ear, followed by a kiss on the cheek. "We can... we can keep trying if you'd like..."
She looked back at him, smiling sadly, but nodded. "I want to... I can't give up..."
"I can't either. I won't."
The next scene showed a rather intriguing headline.

HAPPY CASE CLOSED, CULPRIT APPREHENDED

As of the 24th of October, the terror of the Happy killer is no more, as he had been caught and arrested for several unfortunate deaths around Saddle. Rumor has it that he had been targeting children, but Omegas, the chief of police of Saddle claims otherwise.
"Happy was very proud of his work, and he made sure we knew it," Omegas went on to say, a few hours after the capture of the infamous Killer Grin. "He always left behind a sticker of a smiley face. It was his trademark. The recent, unfortunate disappearances and demise of the children of Saddle are not of his doing, however. There's another at play, and I can't help but think about the Angel of Death, back east."
He went on to talk about the 'Angel of Death,' and how they usually targeted children, but then made note of their capture.
"I had contacted Hightower prison, and sure enough, the real Angel of Death had been killed. Which means we may have a copy cat killer on the loose. An admirer of her work. Stay safe out there, kiddos. Lock your doors. The world gets more dangerous each and every day. We just do what we can to make it as safe as it can get for the ponies of Equestria. With Happy gone, things will be looking up."
The Happy killer is now being delivered in a block of ice in a skywagon, en route to Hightower prison, which ensures the most durable security measures, should anything try to escape. The mare that successfully captured Happy was none other than Floe Glaze, a specialist in cryogenics whom Happy tried making another victim to his cause.
"It all happened so fast. He was right behind me, so I did the only thing I could think of..." She continued to point at her cutiemark - a blue chemistry flask of ice - as she spoke. "Ice, ice, baby. But all jokes aside, I'm glad I was able to do some good for the community. There's enough going on in the world already, with the war. We don't need more chaos."

Petiole tore his eyes from the paper as Mansia swung the front door open, breathing heavily. She looked at him with heart stricken fear...
Just then, did he notice the panicked voices outside.
"We need to go." She said sternly, rushing into the bedroom.
"Wait, what?" He sat up, putting the paper down. "What are you talking about? What's with the noise outside?" He approached the window and looked out to see ponies running all in one direction. Wagons had crashed into each other in the streets.
She levitated a suitcase on the bed and started throwing clothes in when he walked into their bedroom. "Hun, what-"
"The zebras!" She blurted, breathing heavily as if she were trying to prevent herself from crying. "They frickin' did it... It's over..."
"What? What's over?"
"Turn on the news, Petiole!" She dumped a tin of bits into the suitcase next.
Petiole walked back to the living room and turned the tv on to show a pony standing behind a desk, looking down.
"-erlot has been hit... If you are hearing this, make your way to the nearest stable immediately. If your name isn't on Stable-Tec's roster, then find the nearest underground shelter, such as basements, cellars, and metro stations. Bring food, water, medical supplies, batteries..." He sighed and shook his head. "I can't believe it... I never thought I'd see the end of the world for myself..." He got up, shaking his head again. "I have to go... I need to spend my final moments with my wife and son... If... by some chance I don't make it there in time... and you're hearing this..." He looked into the camera lens with sad eyes; his lips trembling. "I love you..." With that, he ran off screen.
A klaxon began to roar through the city, raising in pitch for several long seconds, then lowering, only to repeat the process over and over again.
A film leader took over on the screen of the tv, showing a variety of numbers and circles. The center of the screen read 'PLEASE STAND BY.'
Petiole continued to stand there, frozen at the image displayed before him. Not long after, did Mansia rush out with two heavy looking suitcases wrapped in her magic.
"I packed your stuff, love." She said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "We need to hurry... There's not much time left..." She left his sight.
"I... can't believe it..." He murmured.
"Petiole!" She called out, and looking over, she was already at the door, which was left wide open. Other ponies were racing around and crying out in a panic.
He nodded quickly and raced after her as they ran for the shelter from what was going to obliterate the surface of Equestria.
Ponies ran across the street. Many wagons were left abandoned or even destroyed from impacting one another, leaving pummeled meat at the wheels. Petiole froze and stared at what was once a pony, caught under the wheel of a wagon...
Or... had been, before they were split in half along the torso. Intestines spilled out onto the asphalt.
The world around him started to go muffled as he stared at the deceased civilian before him. He was just a kid...
A tan coated hoof reached out and turned his head, making him look at Mansia. Her mouth was moving, but he couldn't hear what she was saying. I didn't read lips too well, but it looked like she was calling out his name.
He didn't register any of it, however. She grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. "PETIOLE! LET'S GO!"
He shook his head and blinked as he looked around; the sound much clearer now. Ponies were screaming, but it was soon drowned out by the siren's high pitch.
A filly stood in the middle of the sidewalk, looking down at what I assumed was her father, screaming for him to come back. Tears washed down her face.
His head had been bashed in, and the weapon that was used to do so lied beside him; a metal rod, which had been severely damaged. Blood stained one end, while more gushed out the side of his head, forming a pool on the sidewalk around him.
Petiole's head was turned to his love again. "Come on!"
"Y-yeah, let's..." He looked back at the girl, then shook his head, closing his eyes. "No..." He started running after Mansia.
Halfway down the street, he heard a DJ speaking through a radio.
"-ucking cowards! Yeah, that's right! FLY! Hide behind your clouds, you flock of feather brains! I hope the blast sweeps over your precious little homes and kills you all, you fucking assholes! Cover the skies all you want! It won't save you from your guilt!"
Petiole looked up at the skies, but it was broad daylight. There were clouds here and there, but nothing was being covered up. There were, however, a bunch of pegasi racing off the east. Some, faster than others.
That's when he noticed in the far distance, to said east, was a thick layer of cloud that shrouded the land underneath in a dark gloom. It was spreading out.
Several blocks later, Mansia was about to cross the street to the park. Petiole glanced right, then lunged forward, pulling her back just as a wagon raced past, nearly crushing her. Their luggage dropped on the street, slamming against the wagon. The locks broke upon impact, and all their belongings went airborne, scattering along the ground when they landed.
She quickly got back up and started levitating their belongings with her magic, shoving them back in the broken suitcases.
"Mansia!" Petiole called out, running to her side. She didn't stop trying. "Mansia, leave it! We need to go!"
"We need them!"
"No!" He turned her to face him. "I need you to be safe... We need to go!"
She glanced back at the mess, then at the gate that everyone was rushing through, before resuming her long run.
Petiole looked down at a photo album tucked away in one of the suitcases, along with a framed photograph. Hanging out of his, was his old saddlebag, with five journals in one pouch, and nothing in the other. He quickly grabbed it, put it on over his flank, and slipped the photo album and framed picture in the other pouch. From there, he ran after his lover.
The park was much too familiar... Not just to me, but through his eyes, as well.
This was the park where he and Mansia first met...
He ran past the spot where they had first bumped into each other because of their distractions.
Mansia was waiting in the back of a line of terrified, anxious ponies. One of them was in a police uniform. The label on his outfit, when he looked back at the clouds that were moving in, read 'Omegas.'
At the entrance of the stable was a pony with a clipboard, wearing a Stable 32 jumpsuit. On both sides of him was one sentry, and a pony dressed in the armor that the Steel Rangers would eventually base themselves around.
He trotted up to Mansia who saw him coming, as she was looking around for him desperately, before her eyes met him. Judging by the way she looked, she was about ready to risk not getting into the stable and go back to look for him.
Once her eyes met his, she looked mildly relieved.
"Where were you?" She asked worriedly.
"I was getting something." He answered, then unfolded one of the flaps to the left saddle bag, revealing the picture and the photo album. "There's some things we do need with us..." He closed it again.
She hugged him tight and sniffled into his mane. "I love you, Petiole..."
He hugged her gently. "I love you too... my shining star..."
The line shortened, one pony at a time. Every so often, one of them would get denied, because they weren't on the list. When they protested, the barrels to the guns built into the sides of the steel-clad ponies would spin with a whir that shut them up instantly, causing them to run back.
Eventually, it came down to Mansia and Petiole.
"Name?" The pony with the clipboard said in a surprisingly calm, yet annoyed tone.
"Mansia."
He read over the list carefully, then looked at her behind his glasses. "Brug Mansia Petiole?"
"Er... yes..." She admitted nervously.
"Go on in."
As she passed by him, she muttered to herself. "I always hated that name..."
"Name?" The pony asked, looking at the host.
"Arum Petiole."
He looked at the list of names on the clipboard carefully once more, then nodded. "Go on in."
Petiole stepped past, and just before he was about to step through the entrance, there was a sudden roar, followed by an abrupt shake of the earth he stood on. His shadow was cast before him as a bright, burning light lit up behind him. He turned around, covering his eyes with a hoof as a mushroom of green stood tall from the horizon, constantly growing. A ring expanded around the stem.
The attendance pony gaped at the imminent destruction, then ran for the entrance of the stable. His shadow was bleached into the ground, as, when he ran, the shadow stayed.
Petiole ran inside shortly after, but the guards stayed, save for the two sentries, who followed him inside.
He looked back as the giant cog wheel of a door rolled into the place. A red light flashed, and an alarm blared. His last view of the outside was spent looking at his own shadow stained on the entrance floor. Most of it was inside the stable, while the rest was left outside.
The two ponies that stood guard. They didn't bother trying to get in. They knew what their orders were, and they seemed to be okay with what was going to happen to them... They seemed to accept it, anyways.
A wind rushed through the closing gap, and the roar grew louder, causing the others around him to panic.
"Close already!" One of them shouted.
"Hurry up!"
Others cried, wondering if they were going to die regardless of making it to the stable.
A mechanical arm moved into place, and a bolt on the end inserted itself into the slot in the door. With the push of the arm came a loud shriek of metal, and the door slid in, sealing them off from the outside for good. The alarm stopped, and the red, flashing light turned off. The arm retracted from the door and ascended back to the ceiling.
The scene ended, and the one that took its place was of him setting down the framed photograph of Mansia and him on the desk.
It quickly shifted to another scene. Something I hadn't entirely expected at that moment.
Mansia was on top of him, sliding up and down along his shaft, moaning and having the time of her life. He wasn't really one for making noise, even when he was alive. But even then, there were a few times I caught him panting and moaning from the pleasure.
However, he seemed more pulled in to her beauty. Her white, messy mane draped over one eye as she looked down at him, smiling. A shade of red had grown on her cheek. The other was covered with her mane.
I didn't see much of their surroundings, but if I had to guess, they were in their sleeping quarters, on the bed that I...
Oh... Oh fuck... Fluky slept in that bed...
I hope the sheets were changed before the stable went to shit!
He rubbed her flank with his hooves, admiring her cutiemark - a circuit chip - as they had their fun. 
For a split second, the scenery changed to the atrium. A tree had grown in the center, and other scientists and security personnel stood around it, observing it closely. Past the tree, the overmare was seen looking down through the circular window that led to her office.
The scene changed again. Petiole was talking to a security pony as they walked down the medical wing of Stable 32.
"I don't know what to think anymore, Bouncy... I just... I keep letting her down..."
She glanced over and looked at him behind the visor of her half-face helmet, before looking ahead again. "You do realize that what you're saying is... pretty much going against everything your career stands for, right?"
"I'm telling you... I feel there's something foul at play here..."
She sighed and shook her head. "Omegas gets a stomach ache over the mine, and now you're freaking out that you might have a curse on you that brings misfortune to everyone around you. Come on, man... You're a scientist. Aren't you supposed to be smarter than this?"
"And in most cases, I don't believe this crap myself." He said defensively. "But it could be possible, right...?"
She laughed under her breath and shook her head again, looking down. "Man... did you go to the other lab coats with this idea?"
Petiole quietly looked away. "... No..."
"Keep it that way. Otherwise, you'll be the laughing stock of the century... and the next. And the next..." She smirked.
"Bouncy, I'm serious!" He looked back at her.
"I fucking hate that name..." She muttered with an irritated look as she stared at him. "Are you intentionally being a douche, or does it just come naturally?"
Petiole sighed. "Azure, please listen..."
She rolled her eyes, but awaited what he had to say.
"Everything around my life has been falling apart, one way or another. When I was a kid, my pet died..."
"Which is bound to happen." She interjected. "Animals die."
"Let me finish."
"Fine." She huffed, then looked ahead as they continued walking.
"Rose... my pet. She was a fennec fox. Cute little thing. Always liked to cuddle up with me." He paused and took a deep, shaky breath. "One day, I couldn't find her. I looked all over, but she was just... gone. Then I went outside, and that's when I saw her... Legs broken..." He shuddered and closed his eyes. "She was alive, but there was blood... Lots of it... I..." He gulped and looked down. "She died in my arms... and it came to my attention that someone did it to her..."
"What?" Azure cocked a brow.
"There was a sticker of a smiley face stuck to her fur. And ever since I saw that sticker, everything turned to shit..." There was a brief pause before he resumed, seeing as Azure had nothing to say. "Back just before the bombs dropped, there was this little girl... She was at her father's corpse, crying out for him. I could have helped her... I was right there. I could have asked her to come with us. Try and convince them to let her come in with us..."
"... So why didn't you?" She asked, looking over with curiosity.
"Because I was absolutely certain that if I asked her to come along, she'd have died on the way there."
"... Okay. And she wasn't going to die just sitting there?"
"She probably had better chances of survival than she did being around me. I'm a bad omen..."
"You and your belief in curses... Next thing you're gonna tell me is that there's an evil star spirit hiding underneath Equestria." She waved her hooves in front of her, poorly imitating ghost sounds. "OoooOOOOooooOOOOoooo..."
Petiole shook his head hard, and she continued.
"Look, man... I can't understand what you're going through with Mansia. I've never experienced it myself... and I'm sorry it's happening." She patted him on the shoulder. "But don't go making up a guinea pig to dump all the blame on. You're looking for an excuse that doesn't exist. It's just life... and life is a sadistic, fickle bitch. No morals. No sympathy. No. Exceptions. So what if Mansia can't have children? It's up to you to make the most of what you got. And you got her. So quit messing around with these lame thoughts about how your life is 'cursed' and go love her."
"But-"
"Nah, ah, ah!" She put a hoof over his mouth, glaring at him. "No buts. Unless it's her butt against your nuts. Got it mister?"
Things were quiet for a few seconds, and she took her hoof away, still awaiting a response.
"My life is cu-"
"HER BUTT AGAINST YOUR NUTS!" She shouted, looking stern but smiling. Her muzzle was pressed up against his. "NUT. HER. BUTT. AND NUT IT GOOD!"
One of the doctors had been walking down the corridor when she shouted, and he froze, just staring in confusion. Azure looked over and beamed at him. "Carry on!" She said in a cheerful tone.
The doctor shook his head as he walked past, pulling out a clipboard from his coat pocket and reading over the info it provided. "Fuckin' weirdo..." He muttered under his breath.
She looked back at Petiole. "So what'll it be, broski? You gonna keep bitching about how miserable your life is, or are you gonna go tell fate to suck a smelly donkey dick and hold that sexy mare tight? Cause let me tell ya, you got someone great in your life, who loves you for who you are. Even if she can't carry to term, she's still happy, because she has you. Don't ever let that go, my dude."
"I'd never. I love her."
"How much?" She kept her eyes locked with his.
"More than anything. I just wish I could do more for-"
"NAH!" She was glaring at him again. "NAH NAH NAH AH AH AH! NEIGH! NO! Stop. Thinking. Like. That!" With each word, she poked him in the chest. "No curses! No 'I wish I could do more' crap! You are doing plenty for her, and she's noticed. Trust me. So... Her butt." She pointed at his crotch. "Your nuts."
"Stop saying that." He looked down a little, and she laughed.
"Why should I stop?"
"No curses."
"That's right." She lifted his head up to look at her. "And if I hear another word about you saying you're 'cursed,' I'm gonna have Mansia convince you otherwise. In bed. Strapped down. Gag in mouth." She winked, and he looked away quickly.
"Whoa, holy shit..." She laughed. "You're blushing!"
"Am not... Just... ate something sour..."
"Bullshit. You're a terrible liar."
He shook his head and sighed. "I gotta go look over the patient from the mine."
"Alright, alright." She trotted up alongside him. "I got guard duty down there anyways. Gotta hoof it if I'm gonna make it to my shift in time. We still on for movie night?"
"Yes."
With that, she started running. "No curses, Petiole! Remember that!"
From there, the scene changed yet again.
Plant life had spread across the stable's corridors and rooms. Petiole sighed as he walked down. "Sick of all this... When are they gonna cut all this down...?"
And then the scene changed again.
Red lights flashed, and an alarm blared, just like when the thick, steel door of 32 was closing them off from the outside world. Doctors, scientists, and engineers ran one direction, while security ran down the other, fully equipped for battle.
There wasn't a whole lot of plant growth in this area, it seemed.
Petiole stood just outside an office, looking around in what I assumed was bafflement.
"What in Celestia's name is going on?" He asked, but didn't receive an answer.
Gunfire sounded off in the distance, causing Petiole to focus his attention on the security ponies at the far end of the long stretch of corridor. They blasted away at something out of his view. Gatling laser fired back, but that didn't seem to be their primary focus. Some of the security personnel got struck by the incoming fire, but they retreated behind cover before there was any real damage inflicted on them.
Not long after, some of the red streams of energy abruptly stopped, and the crumpled up remains of a sentry was thrown at the ponies, striking one unlucky mare and crushing her against the wall, leaving behind a great big patch of gore.
"Fuck! Fall back!" A dark blue unicorn stallion shouted as he ran across the hall to the other side. Before he could make it, a writhing mass of... something... lunged out and wrapped around him. He screamed, trying to break free as the other security ponies backed away, firing at the monster before them.
I looked closer, and... horrifying would be an understatement. There were no words to express my terror over the beast on the screen. A writhing mass of ponies - some infected, others not - had been fused together by their coats, becoming a unified being of horror. The infected ones worked as a muscle... and the ones that weren't infected?
They were being fed the infection forcefully... Just like the griffin from earlier. Only, these ones weren't pulled into their stomach. I saw it all. The fear. The tears. The torture.
The stallion that had been grabbed screamed and fought, firing blindly at it. But it was to no avail. Within seconds of being grabbed, his skin was already melting with the others. One of the flower-like suctions whipped out and wrapped around his muzzle in an instant, pumping the virus into him.
The group of security personnel that survived were retreating with the rest of the ponies as the creature started moving further into view. It crawled on four limbs, and its entire mass consisted of other ponies, infected or otherwise. Its head was comprised of three massive tentacles, made up of bone and organs.
"Petiole!" A familiar voice called out, and upon turning around, he was staring at his wife. Omegas and Azure were right behind her, aiming at the beast that slowly made its way forward.
"What the hell is that thing!?" Petiole shouted.
"Don't know, don't care!" Omegas replied. "We need to leave! You and Mansia get to the tram station and get out of here! This stable is no longer safe!"
"No longer sa-"
"Move it!" He interjected, backing up as Azure fired at the beast in the distance. Like earlier, it didn't have any real effect on it.
The four of them ran down the corridor that everyone else had gone down to escape the monster, and at the next intersection - which looked rather familiar to me - turned right. Just ahead, at the far end of the hall, was the door to the tram station. Security ponies stood guard at the closed door, wielding their guns. For a second, they aimed their weapons at the four, then lowered them a little, though they were still expecting something to be following, judging by their stance.
A roar echoed through the station, and the two security ponies in front of them grew uneasy expressions of dread. They raised their guns and started firing.
"Fuck!" Omegas shouted as the four of them ran. "Keep going!" The ground shook with each thunderous stomp, and with each step, the beast seemed to be closing in on them.
Bullets whizzed past them either from the sides, or overhead. Petiole dared not look back.
One of the bullets had buried itself into Azure's barding just as they made their way past the last intersection, causing her to stagger as she put a hoof to her chest. "Damn it!" She bolted for the right.
"Azure!" Omegas shouted, looking back. His eyes said he was about ready to go back for her, but she quickly replied.
"Just keep going!"
He shook his head hard as he looked forward, staying on task.
Petiole and Mansia ran into the station once the door opened, and upon looking back, Omegas had his back turned to them, aiming at the beast that charged down the corridor after them. The door closed and sealed the panicked scientists, doctors, and engineers away from whatever that monstrosity was.
Petiole turned to look ahead at the tram car. Everyone was in a rush to get in and get out of here, but five security ponies stood guard, keeping things relatively under control. Or... trying to.
A stallion rushed forward, pushing a filly out of his way so he could get in the tram car faster. She fell on her side, and four of the security guards pushed the stallion back out of the vehicle, while the one went to help her up.
"One at a time!" One of them shouted as they held a scanner over the stallion's eyes, who fought to look away. One of the others held his head in place. When he tried to close his eyes, they were forced open telekinetically. When the scan finished, the guard looked over to the others and nodded. His mouth was moving, but it was hard to figure out what he was saying through all the panic. The stallion was escorted away by two others as he screamed to be let go, and went on about basic pony rights.
The girl continued to lie there on the cold, tile floor, motionless as the guard that went to check on her grew concerned. He looked back to the others that stayed with the tram, and as one of them started to walk forward to investigate, several black tendrils slipped out of her maw, wrapping around the guard's leg and tightening its grip.
He looked back at her, screaming as he felt his hoof getting severed from the rest of his body. The crowd hastily vacated from the scene, trying to get as far away as they could from her and the security pony. But there was little to no room.
Blood gushed out from his armor, around his hoof as he fought to pull away. The other guards started firing at the infected girl; whose body started twitching uncontrollably as it growled. Her hide bubbled, and something crawled around beneath the seams. Several somethings...
She roared as pustules began to form, and then burst; spraying that same white gunk that I had a rather unfortunate encounter with. Upon bursting, came the writhing maggoty parasites. Many had landed on the pony who couldn't escape her grasp, while the others landed around the area, crawling for the crowded ponies.
There was a gunshot... and then another. And another. It was at ear deafening levels. With each shot, one of the parasites exploded into a white, pasty substance.
Petiole looked to his left to see a light blue coated stallion standing beside him, firing at the creatures. His horn glowed bright blue through his helmet, wielding the pistol that hovered in front of him. He looked to Petiole and his wife, then glared back at the creatures that looked to infect, firing carefully placed shots, as to not waste his ammo.
"Where's Bouncy!?" He shouted through the gunfire.
"She got hit by a bullet on the way here!" Mansia answered. "She's alive, as far as I know! But she got shot!"
He shook his head with a grimace, killing off the last of the parasites that made their way to the crowded ponies. "Get on the tram! Both of you!"
"What about you, Iron?" She asked in a worried tone.
"Overmare's orders! Gotta stay put!" He aimed at the little girl and started planting shots in the back of her head as she removed the ponies' rear hoof entirely. Blood gushed out, but the tendrils quickly cut off the circulation. One of the parasites left on him crawled in through his injury, and a bulge traveled up his leg as he screamed, trying to pull away. Another one of the parasites quickly crawled into his mouth and traveled down his throat, while another went in through an ear.
"Fuck..." Iron said before driving a bullet through the afflicted stallion's head, putting him out of his misery. For a second, the other guards looked at him in disbelief, but quickly regained their motives to kill the creature, as black claws formed out of its hooves, digging into the floor as it stood up. The tendrils let go of the corpse and lashed out at one of the security ponies, knocking them back and tearing a chunk of meat from their shoulder, right through the barding.
Iron looked back at them. "Get the fuck out of here! What are you waiting for, Hearths Warming? Go!" He turned to the crowd and started to give the same order to them.
The security ponies near the tram lured the creature away from the transport, while several dozen others ran for it. Mansia and Petiole quickly joined them, but there were still many who were too afraid to move. Iron urged them on to go, but they wouldn't.
The tram doors slid shut behind Petiole, who was the last one in the crammed vessel. He looked to Mansia who, in mere seconds, whimpered and hugged him tight, pressing the side of her head against his neck. He held her close and kissed the top of her head, before looking out the window as, one by one, the security ponies were being killed off.
The tram started to proceed down the subway tunnel of 32.
The next vision consisted of the remaining survivors that had escaped, standing around in the atrium. More so as an angry mob staring up at the overmare's window on the second floor, than as a concourse of ponies trying to cope with what just happened on the lower floors.
"I'm sorry, but this is for your own safety, everypony." The overmare called out through the speakers as she looked down at everyone through the safety of her window, out of reach from them. The unicorn mare had a purple mane with a black streak running along it, and a dark blue coat under her skin tight, blue and gold Stable 32 jumpsuit.
"There's nowhere else to go, damn it!" One of the ponies among the crowd shouted. "Everyone's dying!"
"And I assure you," she interrupted with a glare as she stared down at them. "That if you attempt leaving this stable, you will all die! If the sentries don't kill you, then the surface will!"
"You're gonna get us all killed!" Another shouted. "At least give us the chance to try and make it to the surface!"
"This place isn't safe! The F-virus is spreading like wild fire!" A scientist stated. "Please, let us go!"
"No!" She stomped her hoof down. "The stable will be safe again! You'll see! Security will take care of everything!"
Petiole stepped up. "If you're so sure of that, then why are you cowering in your office? Come out here and join us, if you're so convinced that things will turn out fine." She glared down at him and opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
"Exactly." His calm tone seemed to have been carried with him when he had died. Everyone else was shouting out of anger and fear when they tried getting a point across, but he stayed calm and collected, offering more logic to the argument for the other ponies' freedom. "You haven't seen it for yourself, Haze. It's chaos down there, and it's spreading. We may as well have opened the gates of Tartarus when we opened that mine. That was your doing, overmare." He pointed a hoof up at her, and she gasped, raising one of her fores halfway in shock. "None of this would have happened if we left it alone. And now we have belligerent machines and infected ponies melting into one another. Our friends are dying down there to save us, and their deaths will only be in vain if you continue keeping us locked away like sheep in a pen. And that'll be on your conscience until your last, dying breath."
She shook her head. "I'm sorry, but no." She concised. "There is nowhere else to go. This debate is over." With that, she stepped away from the window, out of view, while the other ponies around him protested. Petiole hung his head down and sighed, then looked over at Mansia, who placed a hoof on his shoulder as she smiled at him faintly.
"It doesn't matter..." She said softly, which was surprisingly heard throughout the angry concourse. "We have each other." She wrapped her hoof around the back of his neck and pulled him into a loving embrace, to which he returned to her the comfort she gave to him, in the middle of a panicked room of ponies.
And then the clip changed...
The view was from within what I assumed was Petiole's suit, looking at his lover, who stood before him; her head hung down. All around them were the ponies that I had seen protesting against the overmare's motives, just a few seconds ago... turned to wooden statues.
Mansia had branches sticking out from her. Wood had covered almost all of her body, all the way up to her neck. She was trembling... Aching...
"All we have is each other..." She muttered, and I caught her smiling a little, underneath her mane.
"There has to be something I can do..." Petiole started to walk away. "I will find a cure."
"Petiole!" She called out; her voice wobbling. "Don't go."
He stopped and looked back, then sighed as he approached. "But-"
"I think we both know it's too late for me." She kept that smile as her hide continued to solidify into wood. "Just... want to spend my final moments with the stallion that made my life worth living."
"Mansia..."
"Petooee..."
He paused and stared, and she giggled under her pained voice.
"I'm sorry I couldn't... give you everything you wanted..." Petiole said.
"Don't sweat it. I don't want my last moments crying about the sucky things. Let's just... enjoy life, while it's there." Petiole sat down before her and wiped the mane from her eyes. She looked up at him - unable to move her head - and smiled a bit brighter. "There's my hottie." He started to remove his helmet, but her eyes went wide, and her smile quickly vanished. "No! I can't have you getting sick..." He shook his head, but kept it on. She sighed with relief and closed her eyes. "Your touch is perfect enough as it is." Her smile came back as he caressed her cheek. For several quiet minutes, he sat with her. They said nothing to each other. All she needed was his company.
Eventually, he broke the silence.
"I love you, Mansia... You'll be in my heart always."
"I love you too, Petiole. More than anything." She winced, and he took his hoof away, letting her mane hang over her eyes again. "It's happening..." She groaned.
Petiole hung his head down, shedding tears as he heard her whimpers and struggles. Her pain.
And then... nothing.
He looked back up to see she was completely turned, just like everyone else in the room, save for him.
His vision became obscured as he wept. He stood up and wrapped his hooves around her still form as the clip blurred into a new one.
His hooves were cracked, and branches were starting to stick out from his coat as he worked carefully at removing the lid of a jar, containing the pink within. He tossed the lid to the side and watched as the cloud broke free from the opening.
He took a deep, shuddering breath, before moving his mouth closer to the chemical and breathing it in. In an instant, he dropped the jar, gasping and wheezing. He stumbled around the room, crying out in pain as it spread through his system.
It didn't last long before the video went dark.
The lights in the theater I sat in flickered a bit, before shattering. The velvet walls became torn and dirty. The seats reeked of rot and decay, and the window to the camera that played the video cracked. The screen before me received a variety of tears, and the footage became grainy.
When the video started up again, Petiole was tearing himself off the floor.
Actually tearing himself off the floor. Ripping parts of himself off the metal surface where he had fallen as he cried out in agony. His skin was wrinkly and old, and his white lab coat seemed to be fused with him.
He stumbled out of the room. Each breath he took generated some of the pink from his lungs as he wheezed, yet his voice was as it had always been before.
The next clip was of him sitting at a radio, speaking into the mic that it came with. Making the distress call that I had heard so many times before, on my way to Stable 32. I made note of something.
After he had made the S.O.S. and sat there, listening to his own voice on loop, followed by the iteration count, starting at 1, I noticed that there was no song in between. There was no Address Unknown. At all. Period.
After the second iteration, he got up and started to leave.
The next part showed him continuing his research, observing a small sample of the blue flowers from the tree that stood in the atrium. He moved on to a sample of a mushroom, jabbed a needle into it, and sucked out yellow, pus-like innards. He pointed the same syringe over the flower and started to release the contents down over it.
Halfway through, the lights shut off, and the humming of the power went quiet. His breath was all that could be heard, before he spoke to himself.
"Here we go..."
For over 200 years, he stayed there... alone...


(((((((◉)))))))


"Robutt!" I felt two small hooves pressing against my chest, along with a tiny body sitting on my stomach. "Wake up!"
I cracked open my eyes to see Fluky was on top of me, nudging me until she saw my pupils come across hers. She sighed and relaxed, smiling faintly. "Man, you were out of it. You and him both." She looked over at Petiole, who was sitting across from us, where he had been before, staring at me in cold silence behind his visor. "What have I said about you dying?"
"Wasn't dying... just knocked out..." I paused for a few seconds, before clearing my raspy throat. "P... Petiole..." I groaned, rubbing my head. Felt like I had a hangover...
"Charger." Petiole replied in a cold tone, sitting there frozen.
"What..." I looked around. We were still in the tram, so that was... well... the next best thing to pleasant. The catch was we weren't moving anymore. One of the doors was left open. "What happened?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. We were hit, and the next thing I know, I black out. When I wake up, I'm in a bunker I've never seen before."
I looked at him and froze, and he continued.
"I was in a bunker I'd never seen before, in a body that wasn't mine." He looked down a little. "I'm sorry about Snow Star..."
I nodded. "I'm sorry about Mansia..."
I looked back up at Fluky, who still remained on top of me. She looked down and rubbed her forehoof. "I don't... remember anything that happened either. We were fighting off that... freaky pony thing, and I saw it grab you and do icky things to you... and then I just blacked out. Next thing I know, I'm sitting in a minecart that crashed against your train, clutching a teddy bear."
"A teddy bear?" I raised a brow.
She pulled up a stuffed teddy bear from beside us. I was thankful that it wasn't the one in the infested subway station I had went through earlier. This one was still in pretty good condition. She hugged it tight to her chest, kissing the top of its head and smiling as she looked down at me with those cute eyes of hers.
I smiled back and soon noticed worry grow in her eyes. She rushed in before I could say anything and hugged me as tight as she was hugging that bear, which was now crammed between us.
"I don't know what happened..." She started in a soft voice. "But I'm glad you're okay..."
Surprised, I lightly hugged her back, to which she resumed.
"This doesn't mean I like you. I'm still pretty upset..."
"I know..." I whispered, giving her a bit more of a squeeze.
Hey... wait a second! My hoof stopped emitting electricity! Finally! It was getting really annoying to hear...
"So who's the horn head?" Petiole asked, looking at her. He spoke in that same, cold tone.
I looked over, smiling faintly. "Her name is Fluky."
"Keep your freaky magic to yourself, unicorn." He spoke with disgust, catching me off guard.
"Hey, wait..." I started.
"I never really liked unicorns... I don't agree with how Bristle ran things, but I can agree with him that unicorns are... foul."
Fluky pulled away from me a bit and looked at me with hurt eyes, but before she could reply to Petiole's statement, I ran a hoof through her mane.
"Watch what you say." I snapped. "Fluky is fine just the way she is!"
He scoffed and looked out the window for a few seconds before getting up from his seat. "I need to get the tram running again."
"Mansia was a unicorn!" I blurted.
He stopped dead in his tracks, looking forward. He didn't say anything. He didn't look at me. Just stared ahead in empty silence, facing the cab.
Moments passed, and without saying a thing - without so much as a deep breath - he stepped into the cabin, closing the door behind him.
And locking it.
> Channel 001.0; Last Stop of 32
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two hundred years, and the first person who comes through my door is a smart-ass.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Alone I walked down the lower steel halls of the bunker with my jumpsuit securely wrapped around my form, and my toolbox balancing on my back. I had gotten reports of some pipes bursting from too much pressure down here, so I had volunteered to fix them. It was generally a unicorn's job, but it was my cutiemark. I fixed things.
And I liked it, too. Even in my free time, I'd find myself fixing a busted radio, fried pipbucks, and sometimes, even a busted laser rifle or suit of power armor that was sent to maintenance for repairs.
I couldn't help myself. It was in my nature to fix what was broken.
Three unicorns were observing a pipe that had been shut off, due to a puncture that had come from the inside. Two were mares, and one was a stallion. They all looked over as I approached, then quickly turned away and walked from the scene as I approached, going to another pipe.
Sigh... Damn it... No friends... again.
The unicorns were too scared of us earth ponies, and the earth ponies thought I was too weak, therefore leaving me stuck... alone...
I grudgingly set my toolbox down and opened the case, before examining the busted pipe before me.
"Hm..." I rubbed my chin, frowning. "Lovely... Gotta call in a new F.P..." Looking at the size and width, I'd say it was a model 6.
"Um... excuse me...?" I heard the soft, gentle voice of a mare call out, and I turned to my left to see one of the unicorn mares standing before me, smiling. Something I wasn't used to from unicorn or earth pony.
She had a white coat and a dark blue mane and tail. Her bangs hung over her indigo eyes, curling upwards a little. Her jumpsuit was covered in oil and grease, but that was to be expected with this line of work. Mine was no better.
"Uh... hey." I said awkwardly. Why was one of them talking to me now? "Something I can help you with?"
I noticed her friends were staring silently at the two of us in the background with worried looks.
"Actually..." She nodded to the busted pipe between us. "I was hoping there was anything I could help you with."
I looked at the pipe, then at her. "Uh... yeah! Sure!"
She studied the damage on the pipe. "New forged pipe might be in order."
"I was thinking the same thing." I said, staring at the damage flatly.
"M-6?"
I nodded. "Looks like it." With a smirk, I looked over at her. "You sure know your stuff."
"Same goes for you." She returned the look I gave her with a glance. "It's not uncommon for a unicorn here to know about maintenance hocus pokum, but an earth pony such as yourself?" She turned to face my completely, and her lips curled into a pleased smile. "That's a first. Usually, you're all scribing or going out on the surface."
I shrugged and sighed. "Well... the other earth ponies kinda make fun of me because of my smaller build... Not strong enough to be like them, I guess."
She regarded my body for a few seconds before returning to the pipe. "You have a feminine side to you. Definitely not a bad thing. Certainly doesn't make you weak. I see muscle. I kinda like it, actually. Not too buff. Too much muscle is just..." She gritted her teeth. "Eh..."
Her horn lit up in a white haze, and that same white aura wrapped around the pipe. It detached from the rest of the structure shortly after.
I didn't really know how I felt about that whole feminine comment...
"What's your name?"
"Charger. And yours?"
She looked over and smiled as she reached out a hoof. "Snow Star." We shook hooves and started to walk back to the upper levels together, to which she resumed. "I'm gonna get a replacement fitted to the right size. Hopefully this'll be the last of the busted pipes for a while... Noticed we've been getting them a lot more lately..."


(((((((◉)))))))


I stared ahead at the empty space across from me, where Petiole was sitting before he locked himself away in the cab. We were back on the move, but the trip was quiet, save for the shrieks of the wheels on the tracks outside. We were moving a lot slower now that we were pushing a minecart with us. Thankfully, it hadn't gotten us stuck out here. I really didn't want to walk in the dark with those things out there... and who knows what else...
Fluky tapped me on the shoulder, causing me to snap back into reality.
"Hm?" I looked down at her as she sat beside me, holding a White Grape Sparkle Cola.
"Can I have it?" She asked with a hopeful smile, looking into my eyes.
"Knock yourself out, kid." I nodded, before looking back ahead at the nothing.
"What's wrong?" She asked after the bottle hissed upon the cap being twisted off the neck. She slipped said cap into the pouch on my barding.
"Nothing." I shook my head. "Just... thinking about stuff." I blinked and looked back at her, offering a smile. The way she looked at me told me it was the most unconvincing smile I had to offer. It certainly felt unconvincing...
"Alright..." She muttered. I could tell she didn't believe me, but she wasn't going to push. "Well... where are we going?"
"Petiole is getting a gun for me, and some healing potions for everyone else."
"Oh..." She looked around at our surroundings, confused. "Are we still in the stable?"
I nodded with a somber look. "Unfortunately."
"What happened to your hoof?" She stared down at it and poked where metal met flesh, to which I groaned.
"No touching." My brows knitted as I stared her down. It was still touchy, and the Med-x was starting to wear off...
She took her hoof away quickly and looked down. "Sorry..."
I sighed and shook my head. "Lost it from the monster we were fighting earlier..." I rubbed my fore nervously, turning my head to face away from her. I didn't want to think about it... About what it was doing to me... Goddess', I could still taste it on my tongue...
Petiole's voice spoke over the intercom, which I found myself thankful for. It was a decent distraction from the dangerous thoughts in my head. Not entirely, but... for the time being, it was.
"I'm dropping you off, Charger. Fluky, you can go with him if you want."
I looked up at the speaker. "Why?"
"I promised food, medical, guns, and ammo. You'll get the food, and I'll get the rest. Take to your heart's content. Whatever isn't being taken with us is going down in flames within the next hour. Two, tops." The tram came to a stop at an isolated station, and the doors slid open.
"The route there should be safe. Just... don't eat any lemons. They're... temperamental... Watermelons, too."
"Sweet Celestia, what have you been doing to the food?"
"Mistakes." He answered. "Now move. Clock is ticking."
I got up, wincing from the pain.
"I'll come with you." Fluky said, hopping off the seat and downing the rest of her soda.
We disembarked, and soon enough, the tram doors slid shut, before the vehicle continued its course.
The station was quiet. There were no machines or monsters. Just the humming of the lights overhead, which gave the occasional crackle that resembled they were going out soon. This station was public, but there was no one here, thankfully. I didn't have to fight.
Fluky and I looked at each other, and then at the escalator ahead. I started forward, and she followed.
"So, who's the guy on the train?" She asked.
"His name is Arum Petiole. He's the last known survivor of 32." I paused briefly, then added as we reached the top step. "Well... kind of. He's a ghoul."
"Oh, I know about them! Kinda ugly, but all the ones I've met were really nice!" She beamed up at me.
"Well, wipe the stars from your eyes. This ghoul isn't so nice. And pray he never sees another one of your nice ghouls... He seems to have a personal vendetta against them."
That smile of hers died in an instant.
We made our way across the tiled hall and past the turnstyles, before I pressed my hoof against the panel beside the door before us. It folded in on itself in three's, then parted ways to reveal a flickering corridor, which went down quite a ways away. Each door had a sign above it.
"I'll... stick with you..." Fluky's ears folded back as she stared down the corridor. "This place already gives me the creeps..."
"You and me both..." I muttered before stepping in. Petiole said this place should safe, but I still didn't want to let my guard down. I didn't want another... tentacle incident taking place...
I shuddered at the thought and looked down at Fluky to see she was staring up at me in confusion.
"Sorry. Just... thinking too much..." I looked to the sign for the first door on the left. It read, 'Apples.' I looked back to Fluky. "Do you have anymore of those needles, by any chance? My leg is aching..."
She shook her head with remorse. "Sorry, Robutt... When I woke up in the cart, they were gone."
I sighed and hung my head down. Of course they were...
I turned and opened the door beside me, only to reveal several apple trees stored within. A variety of different apples were hanging off the branches, and I caught myself grinning.
"Jackpot..."
I stepped inside, checking all corners of the large room as I did. Okay, good... It wasn't a trap.
I stopped at one of the trees and reached up for a green apple, plucking it off the branch. I gave it a good whiff. Didn't smell funny...
I chomped down on it, and my eyes grew wide.
This...
Was...
THE BEST DAMN APPLE I'VE EVER TASTED!
I barely gave myself time to chew as I kept biting into it, scarfing it down. It was so sweet! So sour! So awesome!
I don't know what experiments 32 was running on the apples, but they opened the gates to the everafter with this discovery!
"Floofy!" I turned around, smiling with chewed up apple in my mouth. She recoiled in disgust at my expression, and her ears folded back. I didn't care how I looked. These were perfect! "Graf some affles! Graf as many as ya can!" I started chewing, until I was able to swallow. I removed the seeds from the core and put them in my pouch. I definitely wanted to grow these later if we found a nice, quiet spot to call home.
I went back for more, stocking the rest of my pouch full of the apples. I took different varieties as well. Diversity was always nice.
"Shouldn't we get... other fruits too...?" Fluky asked, looking around the room warily.
My ears perked up, and I stopped the picking with a grin plastered on my face. If the apples tasted this good...
I spun around quickly. "Yes!"
Her ears folded back again as she looked at me in worry. "Robutt, what's wrong with you...? I've never seen you like this before..."
"What's wrong?" I raised a brow and smirked. "Right now, nothing!" I took another apple off the tree next to me and rolled it over to her. "Come on. You gotta try it."
She looked down at it, then up at me for a few seconds, before going back down to it. "Well, alright... I am a bit hungry." She picked it up and took a bite, and her eyes went wide. "Whoa..." She said behind her chewing. "This is... This is great!" She started scarfing it down like I had done, and within a matter of seconds, all that remained was the core. She tossed it to the side and sat down.
"Okay, you're right. That was actually really good." She smiled. "Can I have another?"
"Absolutely!" I grinned before starting to reach up to snag another. Before I could reach however, something struck me in the stomach, causing me to launch back and strike the trunk of another tree. At least these ones were made of wood...
But still... ouch.
I heard leaves rustling, and looking up, I saw the branches coming down like tentacles.
Fuck, NOT AGAIN!
I got up, feeling my stomach turn on itself. Despite that and the growing pain in my rear hoof, I started running for the exit as Fluky stood in the doorway, looking at me in worry.
"Robutt!" She called out as I raced forward.
The tree that I had been taking apples from tore its roots from the earth and started carrying itself along the ground as its branches whipped around, trying to grab me.
I heard the static in my hoof building up.
Just as I was about to get through the doorway, one of the branches tightened around my organic hoof, pulling me away.
"No!" I scrambled, trying to grab a hold of the ground and pull myself away. But I couldn't get a grip, as the surface was of dirt. I looked back to see the trunk of the tree open up in a great, big, wide maw, ready to devour me whole. The inside was black. Pitch black...
I couldn't begin to imagine what was in there, waiting for me...
"NO!" I screamed before glaring ahead. I raised my metal hoof and slammed it against the trunk, just below the gaping hole that I was about to be shoved in. In a thunderous buck, that may as well have been thunder, came the cracking and splintering of wood as fiery shards went flying in all directions.
I heard the current of electricity travel behind me, and looking around, I discovered that my hit had split the tree in half, and was starting to smoke from the inside. I caught sight of a few flames within, starting to build up and grow.
It had let go of my hoof - its tendril... branch... thing gone limp - but now it was getting ready to fall on top of me. The other trees seemed to be keeping their distance after that.
There was more where that came from...
I wasted no time running through the exit, and just as I made it out, did the tree crash down. I slammed my hoof against the panel, and the door closed.
I turned to Fluky, panting. "Okay... I wasn't... expecting... that to happen..."
"Are you okay...?" She asked, regarding me.
I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. You?"
"I'm okay." She replied, looking down. "Kinda... grossed out about those apples now, though..." She put a hoof to her stomach as she grimaced.
"Yeah... me too." I dumped the apples I had collected out from my pouch. When I looked back at her, she was smiling faintly.
"How did you do that with your hoof? That was... pretty awesome, actually."
I chuckled softly, looking back at my metal casing. "Yeah, I suppose it was..." I turned back to her and waved my hooves around in front of me. "Magic."
She laughed softly and shook her head. "Dork."
I shook the seeds from the apples out and tossed them on the metal floor. "Guess I won't be planting those, then. The wasteland has enough problems as it is. Too many killer trees already." I looked down the corridor. Specifically, the signs in said corridor. The one across from apples was apricots. The rooms appeared to be in alphabetical order. From there, it went on to asparagus, then bananas, blueberries, celery, and so on.
The rest of the rooms weren't as deadly as the apples, but there were a few... odd... selections. Celery wasn't supposed to ooze what both looked and smelled like peanut butter, and cucumbers weren't supposed to pickle within mere seconds of making contact with someone.
This place was bizarre...
"I was expecting normal food..." I said, stepping out of the cucumber room.
Fluky stepped out of celery with a disturbed look on her face. "I don't wanna know what's happening in there." She pointed behind her.
You and me both...
"This place just went from creepy to downright weird." She looked around. "Is any of the food here normal?"
"Probably not. But I say we keep looking."
She nodded in agreement. "Right there with you."
We continued onward, and by the end of our journey, we had grabbed a few hooffuls of kumquats, lemons, limes, mangoes, and oranges. Everything else was just... wrong.
I knew what Petiole said about the lemons, but if that was true, and at this case, it probably was, then we could at least use them as weapons. Combustible lemons sounded somewhat appealing.
Fluky and I both waited at the subway station with a pile of fruit sitting on the floor; the lethal ones separated from the ones we suspected were okay to eat.
Fluky sat with her back against a tiled support beam, drinking a Sparkle Cola she got from the vending machine here, and I sat at the edge of the platform, peeking my head out and looking both ways. I was keeping an eye out for Fluky's safety, in case a zompony was coming this way. It was clear they weren't after me now... but Fluky was still a target to them, I imagined.
About twenty to thirty minutes went by, and I heard the tram in the distance. Then came the headlights of the transportation.
I backed up and let it roll up. It stopped at the station, and behind the glass doors was Petiole staring at me, before they slid open. He calmly stepped out and looked down at the variety of fruits. Then he turned to me. "No apples?"
"Fuck the apples." I shuddered. "You neglected to tell me that the trees were a bunch of splintery tentacles."
"They are?" He said in surprise. "Damn it, sorry about that... Guess they must have mutated after two generations. They weren't like that before..." He looked down at the fruit. "Ghouls don't need to eat, so I never really bothered checking this place..."
My anger subsided, and I sighed. "It's fine. Funny enough, the metal hoof actually helped a lot." I smiled faintly, looking at him.
"I told you it would." He nodded. "Well, alright. Let's get this all on board then. I'll give you that rifle soon." He looked over at the lemons and paused. "You don't... plan on eating those, do you? I did mention that they're dangerous?"
"You did." I smirked. "Got me thinking. Why not use them to our advantage?"
He stared at me for a few seconds before returning to them. "Sounds like a fair point. We'll need all the weapons we can get, after all."
Fluky got up after downing the rest of her Sparkle Cola and started to assist us in getting the food on the train. With the three of us at work, it took no more than a few minutes.
Before too long, we were back on the move in a train full of books, guns, healing potions, ammo, and food. There were even some bandages and a bottle of antiseptic stuffed in one of the bags. That was a decent alternative if we ran out of potions.
The rifle that I had requested was modified since the last time I saw it. There was a shoulder grip around the butt and a scope on the side, while the gun would sit upright if it was equipped. The trigger was connected to a handle that would reach across my muzzle, if I were wearing it.
I looked up at Petiole as he stood before me, expecting something.
"You modified the gun?"
"Hopefully to your liking." He replied. "I'll need you to remove your armor as well. I have something that'll make it better. Plus..." He regarded the bloody patch on my side, around the deep slit that was cut into my barding from a certain... Gutsy... "It needs repairs."
I nodded with a faint smile and stripped myself from my gear, handing it over to him. He took it and went to the cabin as we rolled down the dark tunnels. He closed and locked the door behind him.
Fluky sat down next to me, grabbing the last Sparkle Cola Petiole had given me.
"Hey." I looked over with a blank expression. "That's mine."
She smiled sheepishly. "Can I have it?"
"I was gonna drink it."
"Pleasssssssssssssse?" She gave me puppy eyes.
No... don't fall for it.
"No." I looked at the seat ahead of me, frowning.
"Pleasssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssse?" She scooted closer.
"Nng... no. I want it."
"PLEASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSE?"
"Fine!" I shouted with a pout and folded my arms. "Take it."
She did a little celebratory dance in her seat, cheering softly about her victory, before she unscrewed the cap and put it between us. She began chugging.
That was my Sparkle Cola...
She seemed to read my mind, cause afterwards, she looked over and nudged me, smiling. "I'll make it up to you, Robutt. You'll see." And with that, she continued to drink the fizzy, carroty goodness that my taste buds were dying for...


(((((((◉)))))))


"Honestly though, I think we're gonna need a new water talisman." I said, rubbing my hoof against the back of my head.
"Nonsense." Snow Star answered, looking at the burnt out talisman in the machine before us. "It's bad enough the Steel Rangers have trouble finding just one out there. Replacing one entirely would be a heart breaker."
"But it's just gonna keep breaking down until it can't take it anymore."
She looked over and smirked. "So we use it until we can't. No point in wasting valuable tech."
"But... it's dangerous! If it blows up in someone's face..."
"It's not gonna blow up in someone's face!" She laughed aloud. "You look too deep into things, Charger."
"Better being safe than sorry..." I muttered under my breath, looking away.
I felt her hoof tap me on the shoulder, and when I looked over, her lips pressed against mine, catching me entirely by surprise. My eyes shot open wide, but after a few seconds of the kiss getting deeper, they closed. I could feel her tongue on mine... I could feel her breath...
When she pulled away, my eyes flickered open, and she gazed at me.
"Snow Star..." I said softly, looking around us before returning to her. "It's... not allowed..."
"I know." She replied with that same smirk. "But I trust you. My life is now in your hooves. You could turn around and tell Elder Bristle about what I did. Have me executed for touching another, let alone an earth pony. There's nothing I could do to stop you." She gave me another smaller kiss, before resuming. "I trust you with my life, Charger. Trust me with yours. It won't blow up. I promise."
I stared into her indigo eyes for several long seconds before returning to the talisman. That was... the biggest sign of trust I had ever seen, or even felt, for that matter.
I gave a slight nod of my head. "I trust you."
She smiled back, and together, we went to work on the talisman.


(((((((◉)))))))


"Charger." Petiole said, peeking his head out of the door of the cab, looking at me.
I quickly shook my head, snapping out of it and looking back at him. "Yeah. What's up?"
"Are you alright? I called your name three times, but you seemed... lost."
I looked over at Fluky to see she was giving me a concerned look. I turned back to Petiole. "Just lost in thought, I guess."
"Well..." He paused. "Hate to burst your bubble, but I need to speak with you." He glanced at Fluky, before returning to me. "In private."
I got up, and he backed away from the door to let me in.
When I stepped inside the crammed cabin, he closed and locked the door behind me.
"What's going on?" I asked, looking down at the barding at our hooves. He seemed to have not only repaired it, but reinforced the padding, as well. It looked just a little bit bulkier than it did before.
"I need you to try on the armor. See if it's to your liking."
"Alright." I started to slip into the barding. "Something tells me you didn't call me in here for privacy, just so you could be my tailor."
"Charger..." He started, looking ahead of the tram as we pushed forward. "I don't know how else to say this, so I'll just get to the point... You're infected."
I raised a brow. "Infected?"
He nodded hesitantly. "With the F-virus..."
I froze in place. "Oh..."
I had suspected it... theorized that I was... Ever since that first zompony ignored me, I was starting to think I was infected with their virus. But I had also hoped that I wasn't... A small, dying hope... but a hope nonetheless.
And now that hope was dead and gone entirely...
"I'm sorry, Charger..."
"How long do I have left until...?" I couldn't finish my question. The words didn't want to leave my mouth.
"Judging by what I saw when I was in your head... my estimate would be about a year. Maybe a few months extra. You didn't get a large dosage, which means it's going to take time to grow throughout your body and infect other cells." He shuddered and looked down. "I'm sorry you had to experience that... Not to mention the taste and smell..."
"You've tasted it before...?"
"No. You did. I was living through your memories through your perspective. I imagined it was the same for you, when you were in my head."
I sighed and shook my head. "Is there anything you can do?"
"I'm sorry... but I don't have a cure or any remedy to stop it, except pink. And that would only kill you. You'd be unlucky to come back a ghoul such as myself. Your whole world would be agony."
"Like it isn't already..." I muttered. "My whole life has been shit. Horrible sister. Never met my parents. Kicked out of the closest thing to a home I've ever had... and now I'm the key to a worldwide epidemic."
"I'll try to do what I can, but... I can't promise that I'll be able to cure you."
"Yeah..." I hung my head down, slipping the rest of the barding on. "Kinda figured..."
After slipping my left forehoof through the sleeve, I noticed a section of it was cut out to display the pipbuck. I checked out the rest of my body after the armor was fitted. It was a bit heavier than earlier, but it wasn't enough to overburden me.
"I'm going to need you to open your pipbuck for me." Petiole said, looking down at the device on my arm.
I looked at him as I raised my hoof, giving the middle button a single tap. The screen lit up in red text.

WELCOME, BRUG MANSIA PETIOLE

I looked up at him with a cocked brow. "This was your wife's?"
He stared at me for a few quiet seconds before looking at the screen. "I... thought I took care of that... Hold on..." He pulled my arm toward him and started messing with the pipbuck. I stood there, waiting for him to finish up, and I found my mind crawling back to dangerous thoughts...
Before too long, he let go. "There. That should do it. I have your information now. I can work with that for the time being, but later I'll need some samples."
"My information?" I looked down at the screen to see more red text.

CHARGER
SEX: MALE
AGE: 25
RACE: UNICORN
BLOOD TYPE: PA

"Unicorn?" I stared at Petiole, annoyed that it couldn't even get my race right. "I'm not a unicorn. I'm an earth pony!" I proceeded to point at my forehead. "Do you see a horn? This thing is broken..."
"Hm..." He looked ahead of us for a short while as I continued to stare at my pipbuck screen.
"Unicorn... Pfft..." I rolled my eyes and turned the screen off. Still... the whole body scan wasn't a feature I had heard any pipbuck do before. These must have been specifically designed for 32. I didn't even know what my blood type was before it told me.
But... that could have been wrong too...
"What else can these pipbucks do?"
He continued to stare ahead at the tracks as he spoke, as if he expected me to ask. "They automatically inject medicines into your system, depending on what you need and when you need it."
That sounded pretty useful! "Neat!"
"Just one more thing before I let you go." He picked up the shoulder mounted rifle and started attaching it to my right side.
"Uh, wait..." I started, to which he paused and looked at me directly. "I'm... blind in my right eye." He continued to stare silently, and I resumed, feeling awkward with the staring contest I was having with a visor I couldn't see through. "I mean... not fully blind. But everything's like, wicked blurry."
He stepped back. "... I see. What caused that?"
"Nothing, really." I shrugged. "Just a birth defect."
"Hm..." He nodded. "Well, it's a good thing that this is flexible, then." He put the weapon down and moved the scope to the other side of the gun as if it were a lever, then did the same thing for the handle, pushing it along the underside instead of over the top. From there, he moved the arm that held the gun around like a crank until it was on the side opposite from its original position. "Done." He finally said, looking back at me. "Ready?"
"That's convenient." I replied with a slight smirk.
"Don't act too surprised." He started attaching the mechanism to my armor as I stood there. "Your sister is a cunt, by the way."
"Gee." I deadpanned. "Ya think?"
"She's a monster." He continued. "Bristle too. Even Crimson. But Firebright..." He stopped for a second, looking me in the eyes through his visor. "I'm surprised you haven't killed her."
"I am too..." I looked down, before closing my eyes and shuddering at the thoughts that were sure to haunt me for the rest of my life, considering I had a year left to live.
Things went quiet between us for a short while before I broke the silence.
"So... how does this... medicine injector thing work?"
"S.M.I.P." He quickly corrected as he stopped what he was doing to raise his arm halfway. He slid a part of the frame to the side to reveal a small compartment. "Systematic Medical Injector Program." He continued, pointing at the inside. "You can't really put the bottles for health potions in due to their size, but that was made up for. Just put the neck of the bottle in the compartment, and when it registers the item, it'll open it and empty the bottle. When you're in need of a boost, it'll discharge the required amount into your system. Just enough to get you back on your hooves. But don't rely on it too much..." He coughed and hacked a bit, before resuming his tour of the medical properties of the pipbuck I now owned. "Other drugs, such as Med-x can be put in there too. Same with pills. Just... be careful around it. It won't cure you for addiction."
"Alright." I said as he slid his pipbuck compartment shut. He immediately went back to work on the gun for a short while.
"There." He said, backing up. "Check it out. Just don't fire it in here."
I looked through the scope of my rifle to find the alignment between my eye and the sights was very convenient for me, and it seemed to be easy to move out of my way, too!
My muzzle bumped the handle that was connected to the trigger, but thankfully nothing fired.
"Now..." He continued, and I looked at him as he pulled out a box of red, striped munition from his saddle bag, which he set down before me. "These are extremely dangerous, Charger. But with what we're facing ahead, we're going to need every single round."
"What are they?" I asked, picking one up and taking a closer look.
"They've been crafted from a certain element we had... accidentally made. These bullets originate from a series of red thorns."
I raised a brow and looked back at him. "They burst from a bunch of sacs, right? During an experiment on trying to grow food faster?"
He nodded slowly. "I guess you've been reading along the way. Well, just be careful with them. One shot from those can easily be the end for any organic mass. Though, it takes a bit more for the infected... Still, it disintegrates from the inside."
"Alright." I put the round back in the box and stuffed the box in my pouch. Petiole slipped five magazines in there with it and a full, red striped mag in the side of the gun.
"Now..." I started, looking at him as I moved the arm back so that the gun was secured against my side and out of my view. "I need to tell you something." I stared with a clenched jaw as he regarded me. I could already feel tears burning, and I haven't even said it yet. The thought alone was nerve-racking. The dangerous thought...
"What is it?"
I took a deep, shaky breath and exhaled, letting a few tears escape. "I need you to promise me that... you'll kill me before I turn into one of those things."
He looked down and sighed. "I won't like it, but... I can't afford to let the virus spread. Assuming it hasn't already..." He nodded and looked back up at me. "Consider it done." Not long after, did he reach out a hoof. "I promise."
I took his hoof with my own and gave it a firm shake.  I started to turn for the door after wiping the tears away and clearing my throat, but Petiole slipped a box of T-rounds and regulars in my pouch.
"Make sure you have enough for yourself, Petiole. Never know when you might need to end me..."
"I'm not much of a fighter, but I assure you, I'll carry at least one bullet around. For you."
I turned back to the door and opened it, ready to step out.
"Charger."
I stopped once more and turned back to him. His visor was fixated on me, and I suspected he was looking me in the eyes.
"I'm going to do everything I can to cure you..."
I smiled softly, tearing up again. "Cure or kill..."
No one spoke. I stared quietly for a while, keeping my smile up, before turning my head and walking out. The door closed behind me, but this time it didn't lock.


(((((((◉)))))))


I was surrounded by the steel interior walls of the bunker. My room, to be specific.
I sat up in my bed and stretched. For once, my radio didn't scream at me. Nope. Instead, it was playing a pretty nice tune. Another one of Octavia's works, if I was right. And I believe I was. Her music was an inspiration...
I smiled faintly as I looked around my room, and for once, my door remained locked. Wasn't that a surprise? I would have expected Firebright to pour a bucket of ice cold water over me before I could even open my eyes.
I rolled out of bed to the soothing music that the cello offered through my radio.
I grabbed my uniform, zipped up, then placed my toolkit on my back.
After the locks in my door clicked and it slid open, I found another pony on the other side. A familiar face, but - thankfully - wasn't Firebright ready to pull another 'joke' on me.
"Oh... h-hey, Charger!" She chimed nervously. "Ready for another big day?"
"Another big day, huh?" I smirked.
She nodded. "Yep. Working with you is always fun."
I laughed softly and stepped out. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you liked me."
She rolled her eyes and giggled. "Well, duh. I mean... you're nice to me, you're highly attractive... Plus, we are dating." She kept her voice low as she looked around, making sure we were alone.
With a chuckle, I ran my hoof through her mane, causing her to back up and gasp.
"Hey!" She glared for a second, before calming down.
"I like having you around, Snow Star." I booped her muzzle and she blushed, smiling and looking down.
"I like having you around too, Charger."
I turned to my left, looking down the end of the wide corridor. I closed the door to my room behind me, and we started for the end, where the stairs to maintenance resided.
"So." Snow started as we trotted side by side. "Did your sister pull any pranks this morning?"
"Nope. And I hope it stays that way."
After a short trot down the corridor, we turned right and opened the door to the stairwell, descending further into the bunker. On our way down, a Steel Ranger was walking up. Upon noticing him, the two of us stopped and moved aside. He casually passed by us, and along the way, glanced at me and Snow Star. From there, I heard him mutter beneath his helmet. "Fucking horn heads..."
My mare friend tensed up as he continued up the stairs. When we heard the door open and close above us, she sighed, slouched, and hung her head down.
"I'm sorry, Snow Star..." I moved in and wrapped my hoof around her shoulder. She pressed her head against my neck and closed her eyes. "Some ponies just don't get it..."
There was a brief moment of silence between us before she spoke in her soft voice. "Charger...?"
"Yeah?"
She looked up at me and smiled, though there was a sadness behind it. "I'm glad you understand... I'm glad to have you as a friend, and more... You're the only earth pony around here that actually cares about us."
I nuzzled her mane; smelling the wonderful aroma that found its way in my nostrils. She must have showered this morning, as it was still wet, and smelled of lavender.
I gave the tip of her horn a little kiss, to which she shuddered and moaned softly. "W-whoa... Charger..." She giggled. "Not in public. You know that's a sensitive spot."
I laughed softly, to which she looked up into my eyes, giving me that adorable smile that, no matter how many times I've seen it, never got old.
"I've always had a good feeling about y-" She started to say, before a familiar, raspy voice invaded from behind... Therefore ruining the moment and making my skin crawl...
"Hey, lil' bro!"
I sighed, but kept my head forward. "Hey, Firebright..." I let go of Snow Star and glanced back at my sister. She and two others stood at the top step, dressed in their power armor and looking down at us. Fire's helmet was off.
"What's this?" She asked, regarding the two of us with a cocky grin. "You a unicorn lover now?"
I turned around to face her directly, smirking. "Yeah. Pretty much."
She clicked her tongue a few times as she shook her head in disapproval. "Bad business, lil' bro. You know it's against the rules. Elder Bristle wouldn't be too happy if he knew you were bangin' some unicorn mare."
"Um..." Snow Star kept her head down. "Actually, we haven't-"
"Quiet!" Fire snapped. "I'm not talking to you!"
"Okay then." I said, glaring up at her. "Since you won't let her finish, I'll finish what she was going to say. We haven't had sex. We've been obeying the rules. There's nothing that says we can't be together. We just aren't allowed to have sex."
"Likely story." She said, giving me some stink eye, but soon enough a smile grew. "But hey... you don't gotta worry about me, lil' bro." She stepped forward and patted me on the head. I backed up; my brows knitting. "You can go sucking horn for as long as you want." She turned back to her two accomplices. "Come on, boys. Salvage duty is calling."
The two followed as she descended the stairs, heading for the hangars. After about a minute of total silence between me and Snow Star, she finally looked back at me.
"Do you think she'll be a problem?" She asked in a hushed whisper.
"Hardly. Firebright is many things, but I've never known her to be a snitch."
That didn't seem to sway her. "Do you think she knows that we had sex...?"
I shook my head with a smile. "I don't think she does. We've been careful."
She looked down and sighed. "I hope you're right... I love you, Charger." She immediately tensed up, going bright red. "I-I uh..."
I balked as I looked at her, but after a few seconds, the shock turned into a grin. "Did I just hear the 'L' word?" My heart pounded in my chest with excitement.
"S-so what if you did?" She looked back at me, smiling nervously. "I don't take it ba-"
She was left interrupted with my lips pressed against hers. Both our eyes stayed closed as we held each other in a loving embrace.


(((((((◉)))))))


"Robutt?"
I looked over from my seat to see Fluky sitting beside me.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong." I said with a shake of my head. I wasn't smiling though. I couldn't smile. Not now...
"I don't believe that for even a second."
"Well aren't you the skeptic..."
She sighed and shook her head, looking mildly irritated by my comment. "You've been spacing out ever since we started moving again. Come on, Robutt. You can tell me."
"No." I snapped, looking away. "I can't."
I refused to vent to a pony that I helped make an orphan... Venting wouldn't solve this matter anyways. It wouldn't solve my past, my present... or my future. It was all carved in stone. I was infected with a virus with no known cure. Not to mention everything in my past had already happened...
So why was I thinking of it now? Now, of all times...?
I looked back at the filly and sighed upon seeing her hanging her head down as if she did something wrong. "Sorry, kid... Fluky. But I can't tell you. I'm sure you'll find out soon enough..."
After Petiole drives a well earned bullet through my skull...
She kept her head down as I examined the rifle attached to my barding. I wasn't a big gun fanatic like the other rangers back in the bunker, but I had to admit, this thing was a beauty. And like many beautiful things, it was a force to be reckoned with.
There were three options to choose from on the side. Semi, auto, and safety. I kept it on the third for obvious reasons.
The tram slowed, and I looked out the window.
"Why are we stopping?" Fluky asked, looking around in confusion.
I got up and tapped my hoof on the door to the cabin, but there was no response.
"Petiole, what's going on in there?"
By the time the tram stopped, the door opened, and he faced me directly. "I'm afraid we can't continue any further."
"What?" My brows knitted. "Why?"
"There's debris in the way ahead."
"Okay." I said simply. "So we go out there and clear it out."
"That'll take time we don't have."
I shook my head hard, feeling an annoyance grow within me. "How far are we from the reactor?"
He didn't reply, and I smirked.
"Exactly. So let's stop bickering and just get this over with. I'd like to get out of this shit hole before I..." The words still didn't want to leave my mouth. I didn't want to believe it... but I knew it was true.
He nodded in agreement. "Alright, then. Let's go."
I nodded back, and after Petiole opened the tram doors, we started to head out together. I looked at Fluky as we started to pass by her.
"Stay here, alright? We'll be right outside. I promise."
She gave me a worried nod. "Be safe, Robutt..."
Petiole looked at her next. "I need you to do something."
Both Fluky and I looked at him; her expression filled with confusion, and mine with worry.
"Do you know how to read?" He continued.
"I know a saddle bag full of comic books that seems to think so." She smirked, pointing at the bag on her flank.
"... Okay. Look for a button that says 'open/close tram doors' in the cabin once we leave. There are things in these tunnels that you don't want getting in here."
She nodded and got up from her seat.
"And keep your eyes and ears open. If you can't see us when we want back in, I'm going to knock on the door three times, but it's going to be spaced out, like this." He proceeded to stomp his forehoof on the ground three times.
Knock, knock... knock... slide.
He had slid his hoof along the ground after the few knocks. "Can you remember that?"
She nodded. "Mhm."
"Good." He looked outside and started to walk. "I'll be right back, Mansia."
"Mansia?" She raised a brow.
He froze in the doorway, staring outside for a while, before turning to her. "... Fluky." With that, he left.
She looked to me for answers, but I just shrugged, before following him out.
The tram doors slid shut behind us as we walked along the side of the vehicle. I really didn't like the idea of being out here, but I guess that didn't really matter anymore...
"What was all that about, Petiole?"
"What was what about?"
"You called her Mansia."
We walked in silence for a bit, before coming up to the front of the tram.
"She has her eyes..."
Things grew quiet between us as we moved scraps of metal out of the way. The headlights of the tram offered us sight for us to work.


(((((((◉)))))))


"Hey, lil' bro." Firebright said, lying on her back as I stepped into her room.
"You... wanted to talk to me?" I asked, looking around at her posters of the Steel Rangers and their emblem. I've never really been in her room before, so this was all new territory for me.
She sat up halfway, her arms supporting her weight as she smiled at me. From there, she spread her hindlegs, revealing her marehood.
"Uh..." I backed up towards the door, but my rump pressed against the front of a Steel Ranger that stood in the way. I looked back to see them towering over me in their armor.
"Where you going, kid?" Crimson asked in a sinister tone. He forced me forward, and the door closed behind him. It locked soon after.
I turned back to my sister. "Fire... What are you doing...? What is this?"
"I want to see how good you are with that tongue of yours. Seeing as you've had loads of practice with that unicorn..." She smirked.
"I don't... want to..." I looked down a bit at her parts.
"Pfft." She rolled her eyes. "I don't care if you don't want to. You're going to."
I glared. "No. I'm not. I'm a living thing, Fire. You can't just treat me like some sex toy."
Crimson chuckled beneath his helmet, and I looked back at him, glaring. "And why are you here? To rape me if I resist?"
He shook his head. "I'm more of a voyeur."
I spun back to Fire. "You can't do this! You can't treat me like a sex doll!"
"Oh, you mean how Bristle is with Snow Star?" She grinned as she rubbed a hoof over her slit, and my jaw dropped.
"What are you talking about...?"
She pointed a remote at the screen behind her, and it showed Snow and Bristle in a room. She was backed up against the wall as he stepped forward.
"What's this?" Crimson said, taking a step forward, therefore pressing against my flank and forcing me forward a bit. "A two in one special? It seems I'm getting more than I paid for."
"Only you, Crimson." Firebright smirked and blew a kiss to him.
"Are you going to give me what I want, or am I going to have to take it from you?" Bristle said, approaching her.
"Please, no... Just... let me go... please..."
"Turn, or I swear, I'll kill you... I already know about you and Charger. Consider yourself lucky I don't do it right now."
His statement made my heart sink deep in my chest... and the way she looked up at him, she felt it too...
Reluctantly, she turned around, hanging her head down and crying softly to herself.
Bristle raised her tail with a hoof and examined the area. "I can see why Charger likes you. You're very... attractive. For a unicorn." Then he raised up and mounted her...
I couldn't watch anymore. I could hear it. Her whimpers, his groans... The slapping... Hearing it all was enough to destroy my heart...
"I'm gonna keep that playing for you." Fire said, putting the remote down. "At least you'll get to hear Snow's voice when you're down there. Help you pretend it's her you're playing with." She pointed at her nethers. "So what'll it be, lil' bro? Are you going to get down to business? Or am I gonna have to make like Bristle and threaten somepony you love?"
"Fine..." I muttered, stepping forward. "I'll do it..."
"Good boy..." She smirked and laid back, looking up at the ceiling as Crimson continued to stand there, watching both the video and us. "Don't stop until I say you can."
I got up on the bed and prepared myself before licking... All while I was forced to hear Snow struggle with what Bristle was putting her through...
Fire's pleasure helped block the sound on the screen, but not entirely.
It didn't take long before she forced my muzzle in, making me lick the walls on the inside. I closed my eyes, just waiting for all this to be over...


(((((((◉)))))))


With the tracks clear of debris, Petiole waved at Fluky through the window of the cabin. She opened the doors for us and we got in. I sat down as Petiole made his way for the cabin. Fluky was just about to leave, but Petiole spoke up.
"Stay in there. There's a few things I need to show you."
Fluky hesitantly nodded before backing up in the cabin, allowing him to enter.
"I'm gonna show you how to start the tram, in case none of us are around and you need to escape." There was a brief pause before he resumed. "So first, you press this button..."
I lost track of their conversation rather quick as I started thinking about the bunker... again. Thinking about how quickly my life shifted. I went from being sexually abused and harassed to being post-assimilated by tentacles. At this point, I couldn't tell what was worse. They were both awful experiences...
We were both 17 when Bristle took her...
It was hard to imagine that in a year, I was going to die...
The tram started to ease forward, and Fluky stepped out shortly after. Petiole followed.
"Not bad..." He said, sitting down and looking at her. "For a unicorn."
She sighed and looked at me. "You alright, Robutt?"
"Ask me in a year." I looked out the window behind me "How long until we get there? A year?"
"About forty minutes." Petiole stated with an unamused tone.
Great...


(((((((◉)))))))


Moments passed.
I don't know how long. I wasn't exactly counting.
I looked up from the ground after a sorry attempt of pulling myself out of my catatonic state to see Petiole seemed to be lost in his own world as well. I took a glance at Fluky to see she was reading one of her comics again.
Wait...
I peeked at the cover, and... Okay. Good. It was nothing more than a comic. She didn't need to be looking through adult magazines. She was too young for that.
I stood up and sat next to Petiole, who looked at me in silence. His helmet was still on, as it had been since Fluky came by.
"I have a question." I asked quietly, trying my best to not disturb Fluky from her reading.
"I have an answer."
"You saw my memories..." I started, then looked at him; my muzzle inches from his armored one as I stared into his visor. "Which means you most likely saw what happened to Snow..."
He nodded and spoke in a whisper. "I did."
"Do you... do you think she did the right thing?"
He stared in silence for a moment, thinking to himself. "She saw a chance, and she took it. Even if it meant leaving you." He paused before adding more. "Call me biased, but I say yes. She did the right thing. She sacrificed her 'safety.' I'd... give anything to have her opportunity..." He looked down and sighed.
"What do you think... happened to them?" I asked.
"Hard to tell. I've not been on the surface in over 200 years... I think. I don't really know what it's like up there."
"Fair point..." We both went silent for a few seconds as he continued to look down. "I'm sorry if I upset you..."
I wrapped my hoof around his shoulder and he looked over at it, then at me.
"Just what in Tartarus do you think you're doing?" He spoke aloud in annoyance.
I reluctantly took my hoof away. "What?"
"Don't. Touch me. I don't. Like. Being. Touched."
"S... sorry." I scooted away from him.
"Go sit over there." He pointed a hoof at my original spot. "Away from me. And leave. Me. Alone."
I quickly got up and sat over in my designated spot, looking away from him. Way to make a pony feel awkward...
Fluky had watched the whole thing, I had just noticed... Thankfully, she didn't really offer anything to that conversation. No, instead she looked through Petiole's bags, after I had sat down beside her. She pulled out a small sack of candy canes.
"Hey, you have candy canes...?" She asked, looking through the different colors that resembled different flavors.
"Yes." Petiole answered, regarding them. "I gave one to each of my patients after doing a check up."
Fluky and I shared the same, sad look, with the same, sad thought...
Para would have loved those candy canes...
A few minutes went by in silence. Fluky had put the canes back where she found them and went back to her comic, and Petiole went back to his own private world, which left me back to my deep, dangerous thoughts...
Thankfully, those minutes were short lived. The tram came to a stop at a dead end, next to a station on our right. The alarm inside the vehicle screamed at us as it did whenever we were about to stop at a station, and the doors opened.
"Guessing that means we're here." I said, standing up and flipping the gun out in front of me from my side. I switched it to semi.
Petiole stood up soon after. "Fluky. Stay here. Where we're going is too dangerous for you... and you may need to start up the tram by the time we get back... We might have some company."
"Why are you coming?" I asked, regarding him. "You said you can't fight."
He stared back at me. "You need someone to override the system."
"I can manage. I was maintenance and engineer, remember?"
"You're not doing this alone. You don't know what's in there..."
"Do you?" I frowned.
He nodded. "And I assure you, it doesn't care what you are. Infected, healthy, or even machine... you're still a target."
"Fine." I cocked the rifle. "Let's quit talking and kill the sorry fucker."


(((((((◉)))))))


I walked down the corridor of the residential wing. Two fully armored Steel Rangers walked behind me as we made our way to the exit of the base. No one spoke to me, nor I to them. The march was silent, save for the stomps of metal hooves.
The heart in my chest pounded. Filled with worry for what was going to happen next. Was it happening to me, or was it going to happen to her? I prayed that it happened to me... I wanted to spare her... I was willing to do anything to keep her safe...
... But I was only praying to a dead goddess that couldn't hear me or anyone else in this age of decay...
We traveled up a short flight of stairs until coming across a big metal door that looked almost like an intricate wall than anything else.
Firebright, CrimsonThunder, and Bristle all stood behind Snow Star, who hung her head down as she sat there, facing me.
Fire looked up at me from her, smirking. I didn't share it.
I hated her. But there was nothing I could do to keep her away. We all lived in the same, damned steel box in the ground, and leaving wasn't really an option. I had to tolerate her...
"Congratulations." Bristle said, looking over me coolly. "You impregnated the unicorn bitch sitting before you."
"I know what you did, Elder." I said, staring him down. "You raped her. I saw it."
Firebright stifled a giggle behind her hoof, and Bristle scowled down at her. She went quiet after that.
"Perhaps I did." He started, looking back at me. "But she confessed that it was you. She was in heat when you two shared your... sentiments for each other." He looked at me with disgust. "It's sickening."
I looked down at Snow Star, who glanced up at me, keeping her head down.
"Snow..." I started to step forward, but one of the rangers held me back.
"I love you, Charger."
I looked up at Bristle, who loaded a laser pistol with a fresh energy cell. "Please... don't kill her..."
He regarded me. "You can't go through life without consequences." He pressed the gun to the back of her head, and I saw tears slide down her face, dripping down on the floor below her.
"Please!" I begged. "I'll do anything!"
"I want you to watch." He said behind clenched teeth as he started to squeeze the trigger with his tongue.
"Elder, wait." Fire said, stepping in after a few seconds of looking at me. He froze and looked at her, taking his tongue off the trigger.
"Maybe we should give her a chance." Her smirk came back, and she moved closer, whispering into his ear.
He nodded in agreement; his lips curling into a mirthless smirk as he took the gun off her head. "Very well. You have two options, unicorn."
She looked up at me, then turned to him, awaiting the two options.
"You can abort that parasite growing inside you and stay here with that parasite..." He pointed a hoof at me. "Or... you can leave the bunker, leave him, but keep that foul bastard growing inside you. Raise it, if you survive out there long enough. The choice is yours."
She looked back at me with tears streaming down her face. "I can't just... choose..."
"Let me clarify..." Bristle continued. "Choose, or a third option will be in order." His gun pressed against the back of her head again. "A shot to the head. You have one minute to decide."
"I..." She bawled. "It's not that easy! Please, can't I just raise our baby and stay...?"
"We don't have enough resources to feed you filthy things. The last thing we need is more unicorns. We have enough as it is..."
"Please, Elder..." I pleaded. "Let her stay..."
"Forty seconds." He declared, glaring at me, then looking back at her. "What'll it be, Snow? The baby, or Charger?"
"I... I can't just..." She shook her head hard and looked away from me. "I..." She wept.
"30 seconds!"
She turned and looked up at him. "I'll... leave..." She turned to me as Bristle put the gun away.
I... I couldn't believe it...
"I'm sorry... Charger..." She sniffled, and more tears gave way from both of us. "I'm... sorry..." She moved in to hug me, but Crimson pointed his rifle at her.
"Nah, ah, ah! Get moving, freak."
She froze, and I tried to move toward her, but he pointed the gun at me next.
"Stay put."
Bristle went to a control panel on the side of the door, which soon raised open, revealing the gray outside.
"Get moving." Crimson said, pointing the gun back at her.
"I love you, Charger..." She said before turning around.
I couldn't say anything... It hurt too much...
She started to walk among the surface of a dead world...
Before she took her first step outside, I heard one more thing from her.
"... Goodbye..."
Before I knew it, the door slid shut...
She was gone...
"Well, would ya look at that?" Firebright stepped towards me. "She chose an unborn thing over you, Chargie." She patted my head. "Think about that for a second. She chose an unborn freak.... over your love. Ain't that just sad?"
"What do you want from me!?" I cried out, shuddering under the burn in my eyes as I closed them tight.
"For you to learn." Bristle stated.
"You're all a bunch of fucking assholes!" I shouted, glaring at Fire first. "This was all your fault, wasn't it!?"
Crimson looked to the two rangers that escorted me here. "Please escort Charger to his room and make sure he stays put. We wouldn't want him playing around with another unicorn..."
One of the rangers behind me nudged my flank. "Move it."
I spun around and stormed off back downstairs. I didn't want to see them anymore anyways. I didn't want to think about them. I wanted them dead. To have never existed! Fucking monsters!
The two rangers followed me down, and as I stormed off, I heard Fire speak.
"Do you think he'll become a problem?"
"Hardly." Crimson stated.
"We'll see..." Bristle said softly. "Give him some time to think... Then we'll put it to the test..."


(((((((◉)))))))


Nine years...
They had given me nine years to think...
Through those nine years, they played tricks on my mind. I had always hated Fire, Crimson, and Bristle after that. Even before that... but again, there wasn't much I could do about it. I wouldn't have even gotten away, had it not been for the roots in the Saddle Forest.
This station was like the one that Petiole brought me to when he went to operate on my... stump...
It wasn't meant for the public, so this one was smaller than the one I started at, but bigger than the one that held Mansia.
There was a door at the end, and upon opening the door was a much longer stretch of hallway. There were no doors on either side. Just one where we were, and another at the far end.
I slid the compartment to my pipbuck open and looked at Petiole. Without a word, he gave me two potions, which I emptied into the pipbuck, one by one. I put the empty bottles in the pouch opposite my ammo, after sealing the housing of the device on my arm. They could be useful later, if we ever found a way to manufacture the purple liquid.
"Don't forget to use your SATS."
"My what?" I raised a brow as I looked over.
"Stable-Tec Arcane Targeting Spell." He replied. "It'll make a huge difference in combat. And I know you know that, because I've been in your mind. I know the Steel Rangers have them built into their armor."
"Okay..." I said, gritting my teeth. Honestly, I kinda forgot that it existed... I never really did anything with it. "How do I use it?" I examined the pipbuck on my arm.
"Your cerebral cortex will send a message through your aorta, which will then travel through your arterioles and capillaries, where your pipbuck will read the signal. From there, depending on what that message is, your SATS will be triggered."
... What the hell did he just say to me? What the... fuck...?
I stared, dumbfounded by his... whatever the fuck that was.
He sighed and shook his head. "Your brain is sending a message to your pipbuck, which is constantly reading the brain waves to check and see if you want to activate your SATS."
"Ohhhh...." I paused, looking ahead. "Well, why didn't you just say so?"
He let out another sigh and hung his head down. "I weep for this generation..."
"So all I have to do is mentally request for this... SATS thing, and it'll happen?"
"So long as there's enough energy built up, yes. Then SATS will send a message to your brain, showing you the possibilities of what you do next, and give you extra time to think about your next move and what you want to do."
"SATS!" I shouted, and he quickly turned to look at me.
"It doesn't work like th-" Suddenly, his voice became deeper and a lot more drawn out. Everything became slower for me.
Highlights appeared around his body.
Head, 95 percent. Torso, 78. The forehoof closest to me was 50, and the opposite of that was 43.
... Huh. Interesting. Okay, so how do I get out of this then?
... Oh no... He never told me how to get out!
Uhhh...
I heard a sudden click, and two red brackets appeared around Petiole's head.
Oh fuck! Shoo! Go away! Out! Undo! Cancel!
The brackets went away, and I thought the word 'cancel' again.
Suddenly, the world went back to normal speed.
"-at." He finished, then stopped and stared in silence. I looked back, wide-eye'd. I noticed a red compass bearing appear at the bottom of my vision, like an E.F.S. Exactly like an E.F.S., actually. Petiole's marker was blue. It was nice to see that the red hud didn't add confusion to what was an enemy and what wasn't.
"What?" He asked. "Wait... did you target me in SATS?"
"M-maybe..." I grinned sheepishly, backing up a bit.
"Sweet Celestia, be careful Charger!" He raised his voice slightly, then winced and groaned, holding a hoof to his throat. "Fuck me..." He looked back up at me and spoke a bit softer. "I'm not target practice."
"Hey, I didn't actually shoot you. I managed to pull out! So you don't get to complain!"
He sighed once more and laughed softly. "Yeah, I suppose you did. I commend you for that." He continued walking. "At least you have... a little... experience with it, now."
I followed beside him.
We got to the door, and he pressed a hoof against the panel on the side. The door slid open to reveal a massive bridge. In the center of the colossal room was a large, humming machine that I could only imagine being the reactor. We both stepped forward.
Looking down, I saw nothing but black. Looking up was the same view as looking down... Just infinite black...
"Stay alert..." He whispered, leaning in close. "I don't think we're alone here..."
I looked around, but the only blip on the E.F.S. I had was his.
We quietly made our way across the bridge. Wrapping around the reactor in the center was a platform that seemed to be able to disconnect from the rest of the bridge. There was a support beam that ran through the reactor, which had evenly spaced pulses of blue running into the machine from both the top and bottom.
All around us, along the walls, was a series of green lights on the edges of slabs that jutted out. They certainly weren't bright enough to light this place up.
Petiole stepped on the middle platform and walked around to the right, until he stopped at a terminal built into the reactor. He looked over and waved me over.
I stepped onto the platform and stood beside him as he scrolled down to something titled 'Zero.'
"Last stop of 32..." He whispered, before hitting enter.
The platform we stood on jolted a little, causing me to tense up as we descended down the dark shaft.
I did not like heights...
Petiole gave me a Med-X dose to my leg once he removed a small part of the legging of my suit, and I sighed with relief as the pain subsided. He put it all back in place as I looked down at the darkness.
"How deep does this thing go...?" I asked quietly, afraid to make too much noise.
He looked up, and then down, before answering. "Deep."
... Very descriptive of you...
The platform continued to lower as I looked at our surroundings. Some of the lights on the slabs flickered, or just didn't work at all. I made note that some of the slabs were also missing from the walls, or were severely damaged.
As we descended down the colossal, dark shaft, I kept my mouth around the handle of the rifle, ready to fight if one was headed our way.
Eventually, the platform reached the very bottom of the shaft, and we were greeted with another long, yet much wider hall that led to a large, metal door, much like the one at the bunker. The lights flickered in the stretch, so I caught glimpses of what was ahead.
Petiole started walking, and I joined his side.
"Please tell me you have a gun..." I muttered.
"Don't need one. If worse comes to worse, you'll distract it, while I overheat the reactor."
I sighed as we made our way forward. "This plan would have been a lot better if you brought a gun with you... You're not a pacifist, are you?" I stared flatly, to which he chuckled softly.
"Tell you what... Set me up with a meeting filled with ghouls, and I'll start carrying a gun with me."
I rolled my eyes and shook my head as we continued down the flickering hallway.
"So... why are we going over here? Isn't the reactor back that way?"
He didn't answer my question. Instead, he pulled out a red pill and held it out to me. "Swallow it. You'll need it for what's ahead."
I hesitantly took the pill and swallowed. It was bland, but that was better than tasting something awful. Like tentacles.
When we got to the door, Petiole started operating the control panel. The door screeched as it slid open to one side, echoing throughout the emptiness of the shaft.
I looked behind us, but thankfully, nothing was trying to sneak up.
Then I turned ahead at the sound of machinery, and the soft clicking of geiger counters from our pipbucks.
There was the reactor...
A massive beast of a machine, thumping and humming as pistons within cranked and pumped in and out of the apparatus. A soft green glow emerged from the space of the top of the arms that held the pistons whenever they went up.
Looking up was another shaft that seemed to go on forever, and a bright blue beam of light shot out from the top of the reactor, reaching for the ceiling that seemed non-existent.
There were slabs in the walls here, as well, with the same green lights.
Petiole's clicked a lot faster than mine for some reas-
Oh. The pill. Right. Rad-x.
I didn't know a whole lot about ghouls, but I knew that radiation was their primary source of healing. So this wasn't really a problem for him.
"Be careful..." I said quietly as Petiole made his way forward. I didn't know if he could even hear me through all the machinery.
I circled around, checking my surroundings as he approached the terminal built into the machine, ready to shoot something.
Petiole tapped a key on the terminal, and the screen lit up. He started to input a password, and first try, he was in.
From there, he began typing in codes and bypassing security locks while I stood around, making sure to keep our surroundings in check.
Minutes passed, and a klaxon blared in the room. I had nearly fired a shot from the surprise, but I loosened my grip around the handle and looked at Petiole, who continued typing, but at a rapid pace, as if he were in a hurry.
"INTRUDER DETECTED." The same A.I. voice from the tram said. "SECURITY IS EN ROUTE. PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE MACHINERY."
The klaxon resumed, and all the while, my heart was pounding. I suspected that if anything was around, it'd have heard this.
I stood there impatiently, eager to just get out of here. I didn't want to stick around in the same place for much lo-
There was a roar from above, and looking up the dark shaft...
... Fuck...
The thing from Petiole's memory... The beast that consisted of hundreds of other ponies and machines melted together dropped down on the floor and roared at me, spraying slimy spittle my way. I turned my head fast enough that it only splashed against the side of my helmet and visor. The front of my armor was hit, but that didn't matter.
The smell though... Ugh...
Once it stopped screaming, I backed up and started firing; looking through the scope of the gun. A few shots to the chest sent it crawling back and writhing about in agony as it tore at its chest.
"Petiole, what's the status?" I called out, keeping my eyes locked on the beast.
"Don't bother me!" He said in a raised, rushed tone, which had him coughing and putting a hoof to his throat from the strain to his vocals. It seemed he was incapable of yelling. He quickly went back to typing, and he was going faster than ever.
"INTRUDER DETECTED. YOU ARE NOW IN VIOLATION OF MULTIPLE SUBSECTIONS OF STABLE-TEC. STAND CLEAR OF ALL MACHINERY IMMEDIATELY."
The beast looked at me and started to approach; each step a stomp that shook the ground I stood on.
I resumed fire as I backed up against one of the slabs, aiming at its shoulder. The bullets burrowed deep within, but it wasn't enough to stop it. In fact... it seemed to be regenerating...
"WARNING. REACTOR SHIELDING HAS BEEN LOWERED."
My pipbuck started clicking faster, and the slabs started flashing blue in rhythmic waves, moving up the shaft.
I ran to the left as it moved forward, ready to swing one of its appendages and crush me. Just as I booked it, it came down on several of the slabs, knocking them out of place from the wall. I spun around, sliding on the slick floor on all fours for a bit as I continued blasting away at the monster, who seemed to completely ignore Petiole's presence.
One of the tendrils wrapped around the broken slabs and swung it around, before flinging it in my direction.
I ducked as it came hurling towards me like a frisby. If I hadn't done so when I did, my head would have been no more than slush...
I got back up as it started chucking the other broken slabs my way. I couldn't keep ducking. It knew better than to throw them like that again. So instead, I ran. I ran as fast as I could possibly go, around the reactor that had my pipbuck scream at me. The sound of metal crashing just inches behind me was my motivation to keep going, even when I was out of breath. This armor was getting heavier... I was exerted... Stitches in my sides, fire in my lungs... But I kept going. I dared not stop.
As I circled around the bulky reactor, I bit down on the handle before me, ready to squeeze and fire away when it came back in my view. I took a sharp right at the corner of the machine and started blasting away again.
Leg, torso, arm, neck.
Great way to get the adrenaline pumping!
It reeled and screeched as its insides burnt. Its tendrils whipped around violently, striking other slabs that were still in its walls; breaking them, but not removing them from their initial location.
I couldn't help but grin behind the handle as I continued to run. This was fun!
I spun right again, rushing past Petiole. I had nearly slammed into him, actually. But I had managed to jump to the left a bit before continuing on. Seems the Run-n-Gun technique was great for me. Exhausting, but great!
I spun around once more at the door, sliding on my hooves a bit, just like last time.
"OVER HERE, FUCK NUGGET!" I called out, grinning. "GOTTA TRY HARDER THAN THAT!"
It roared and started running over to me... Something I hadn't expected it to do.
Guess it was trying harder...
I fired a few more blind shots, two of which missed, and the other, not, before spinning and running down the hall again. I had to get it away from Petiole, in case it decided to focus on him.
As I bolted down the hall, so did the beast. But it was bigger, which made it travel farther distances quicker by default. That was a problem...
I felt its stomps getting heavier and more powerful with each passing second.
"Come on!" I shouted to myself, trying to go faster. Damn it, this armor was heavy to run in!
Just as I exited the hall, I jumped to the left, taking cover behind the wall. Not even a second later, did the beast come sliding out, trying to stop and take the same turn I did. It's body slammed against the pillar in the center that supported the platform that was going to be our escape once Petiole had gotten through the mainframe of the reactor.
Thankfully, when it recovered, I didn't see any damage inflicted on its frame.
I looked through the scope to make sure none of my shots struck the terminal, and started firing at its torso again. One shot, two shot, three, click!
I ejected the magazine, caught it before it could hit the ground, buried it in my ammo pouch, and pulled out a fresh one, before slamming it home and cocking the rifle. All the while, the beast cried out and thrashed around in agony.
I didn't stop there.
I switched to full auto and bit down on the handle, firing a rapid stream of lead at the abomination before me, pausing every few seconds only to recover from the recoil. Even then, it wasn't that bad. The arm that held the gun helped reduce it by a landslide.
The monster growled and looked down at me, before walking forward.
Wait, why weren't the bullets doing anything anymore...?
I checked the magazine for a brief second.
Damn it, I put normal rounds in!
I didn't have time to replace it, so I just slammed it back in and gave it the run around. However, this time, it was playing its moves smarter. Instead of chasing me around the pillar, it wrapped one of its arms around it and swung around, cutting me off from the path ahead and trying to swipe at me.
I jumped back, falling on my flank as I stared up at the beast that was about to consume me like it had done to so many others, long ago. I scrambled to get back up on my hooves, but before I could, it grabbed a hold of my metal hoof and lifted me off the ground, bringing me up to its head.
Your mistake.
I grinned, slipping into SATS. Three shots were targeted for its head, as it was a 95 percent chance of success, before I executed the order.
Most of the bullets had struck home, but even then, it didn't do anything. And now I was out of ammo.
"REACTOR UNDER IMMINENT MELTDOWN. EVACUATE THE STABLE IMMEDIATELY."
The klaxon's roar put the beast's to shame.
Bursts of fire came from the reactor in the distance as Petiole casually walked his way back. The blue lights in the shaft all flashed red, traveling up to the top. Some of them had burst from the walls and came plummeting down atop the beast, who roared at the annoyance.
One of the slabs struck a part of my body.
I gasped as a sudden pain ran through me.
And then it was gone, once I felt a large dosage of the health potion heal the physical damage inside me.
Phew...
I glared up at the monster, and that's when I heard my hoof crackling with electricity.
It looked down at me and brought me to its chest, ready to fuse me in with the rest. Before it could, my hoof flared with power; bolts of red electrical currents traveling up its arm. It screeched and let go, causing me to fall on my back. I quickly rolled over, stood up, and ran to the lift. Petiole had just stepped on board and was accessing the terminal. Not long after, did it start to rise.
I looked at him, baffled. "You couldn't hoof it?"
"Running hurts." He started simply.
"Living hurts!" I ejected the magazine and stuffed it in my pouch, before slipping out a red striped one. "How much time we got?"
"Can't say." He answered, looking up as the station shook and rumbled. Bursts of fire were heard below, followed by the monster's screams.
I cocked the rifle and gazed down at the fiery abyss.
"We ain't done yet!" I called out as I watched the beast climb up the slabs, after us. I looked through the scope again and started firing down at it, but this wasn't exactly a sniper. Plus, I failed to realize it was still on full auto.
I switched to semi and carefully planned my shots on its limbs. A lot were misses, as it was climbing up with haste. To get away from the fire below, to get to us, or both, was beyond me.
Some of the slabs bent under its weight, threatening to give way and fall. Some did, but it only stalled the abomination momentarily before finding something else to use as support.
The rounds were hurting it. But due to its mass, it wasn't stopping it entirely...
Then the gun clicked.
"Petiole! Reload me! Thorns, double time!"
He stepped up to me, reached into my pouch, pulled out my last red magazine, and ejected the old one.
"Put more thorn rounds in the empty mags!" I grabbed the full magazine and slammed it into the gun before cocking it and resuming fire. It was almost caught up with us.
Meanwhile, Petiole was working on getting more bullets in. He was moving at a normal pace though, and I really didn't like that...
"It's not going down!" I shouted.
"Keep trying." He spoke calmly.
I shook my head and bit back down on the handle before giving it all I had.
It had reached the slabs directly ahead of me, before turning, staring me down, and lunging across. It grabbed a hold of the ledge of the platform we stood upon, pulling itself up and snarling.
I switched back to full auto and unleashed the rest of my mag on the tendril that kept it up. It looked at me as it started to pull itself up, and I heard the electricity crackling again.
I spun around, raised my hoof, and screamed.
"Get. OFF!"
With the boom of thunder and the discharge of electricity, the beast wailed at my wrath and slid off the platform, falling to the flames below, where it'd be consumed.
I looked to Petiole, who had just finished one mag and was starting another. I replaced the spent one and started slipping thorn rounds in as we ascended.


(((((((◉)))))))


Fire and I walked down the corridor of the living quarters as I made my way back to my room. I wore my jumpsuit, and my tools were resting in the box on my back. Fire wore her armor, but her helmet was off, as it usually was when she was in the bunker.
"So, I fixed the speakers that were busted from last month's incident." I said as we walked past a few other rangers. "Examined the pipes of that sector, too. They shouldn't burst any time soon, but I'll supervise some of the horns there and have them keep it under control. They'll report to me if anything looks suspicious."
"What happened to the ones responsible?" Fire asked, looking down at my hooves.
"I dealt with them personally..." I said with a smirk. "Speaking of which..." I looked down at the blood stained around the hooves of my jumpsuit. "I need to run this through the wash. They left quite the mess, but I got their names." I pulled up a paper containing the list of unicorns that were involved with the incident last month. Three scribes and two rangers had been killed because of it. "Bristle may want in on the fun." I grinned.
She grinned back and looked into my eyes. "Damn, lil' bro." She placed a kiss on my cheek and put a steel hoof around my shoulder as we stopped outside my door. "I'm loving the new you."
"Hey." I shrugged, pulling her in close. "I have you to thank for this, sis. If Snow hadn't been exiled, I'd still be some blind, dumbass horn lover. She was distracting me from my work, and she needed to go. Now that she's gone..." I pulled away, still smiling as I looked into my sister's eyes. "I can focus on serving the Steel Rangers. That's all I need."
"One hell of a way to look at it, lil' bro." She ran her hoof through my mane, messing it up as she grinned.
I chuckled and pulled away. "Come on, Fire. Stop." I started fixing it and looked back at her to see she was smiling sincerely.
"I'm proud of you, Charger. Really, I am. Unicorns are nothing but trouble. So... I'm glad you realized that."
I nodded and hugged her once more. "Thank you, Firebright. See ya tonight?"
I felt her nibble my ear, then whisper softly. "Let's try and break last week's record."
I chuckled, blushing as I pulled away. I caught a shade of red on her cheeks as she bit her bottom lip.
"I'll see you around, Charger." With that, she winked and walked off.
I turned and opened the door to my room, walked in, and closed and locked it behind me. I took the jumpsuit off and reached in the inside of the collar, only to pull out a small photograph.
It was of Snow Star and I, holding each other close. I was kissing her on the cheek, and she was laughing.
I put the photo to my lips and closed my eyes as I held it there. I missed her...
But I had a plan, and it was put in place. It took patience to build Bristle's trust... But once I was there, I'd get out of this place...
Admittedly, I didn't want to leave the comfort of my room. That one, small comfort that I could call my own. But it was a sacrifice I was willing to make. It'd just... take some getting used to. There was nothing really left for me here. I just had to play along...
I would also have to do some unexplainable things to gain his trust... Like what I had done earlier that day to five harmless unicorns...
... But sometimes, in order to do some good, I had to be the bad guy...
Maybe someday, I would do something good...
Maybe...


(((((((◉)))))))


The lift stopped at the bridge that we had used earlier. The station was shaking, while the slabs in the wall burst into flame. Shrapnel flew from the blasts, but we were far away enough that it didn't get us.
I started to run across the bridge, and looking back, I- UGH!
I ran back and stopped before Petiole, who was casually walking across the bridge.
"What the hell is your problem!?" I shouted through the explosions and rumble of the station. I was nearly knocked off my hooves, but I kept my balance in check.
"I can't run. It hurts too much."
I didn't have time for this... "Fine!" I got down on my stomach. "Get on my back!"
"What?" He took a step back. "No."
"Do you wanna die... again!?" I glared at him.
He shook his head.
"Then get on my FUCKING back! We're going!"
"I don't like being touched..." He backed up another step.
Ohhhhh you have got to be...
I stood up, grabbed him by the shoulders, and forced him up on my back. He gasped and groaned.
"I don't give two shits if you don't like being touched!" I started as parts of the ceiling started falling down on us.
I heard a familiar roar from below, and peeking over the ledge of the bridge, I saw the monster crawling out of the fire, coming up for round 3.
"BRING IT!" I screamed, before continuing on ahead. If outrunning it was a possibility, I had to try. It was kicking up my adrenaline again, for sure. Put a grin on my face as I hoofed it.
We went through the door and bolted down the hallway that led to the tram station, which was receiving a lot of damage from the meltdown. It was getting really hot in here...
The tram was just ahead, and through the side window of the cabin, I could see Fluky operating the controls. She glanced at us, and in an instant, her eyes grew wide with fear. She started scrambling for the controls, and the tram started to move the way we came.
I heard the stomping of the beast behind us, and I groaned behind clenched teeth as I picked up speed. I couldn't turn and fire. Not that it would have mattered.
Fluky kept the doors to the tram open, and she waited inside, waving us over. "HURRY!"
We had made it out of the hall and were cutting across the station floor. If it had been a public subway station, we were sure to miss the train. But due to the shorter distance between the vehicle and the hall, we had a chance...
It wasn't 100 percent guaranteed... but it was a chance.
The beast was close. The floor shook with each stomp, and my hoof started to crackle with electricity once more.
The rear of the tram disappeared from our sight as it pushed into the dark tunnel. Then went the first set of doors.
Halfway across the station, a little less than half of the tram was in the tunnel. No matter how fast I ran, it felt like it was a million miles away...
"It's right behind us!" Petiole shouted.
Fuck it!
In that instant, I spun around and slipped into SATS to see he wasn't lying. Another second, and we would have been pummeled piles of meat.
I plotted three shots to its chest and fired away as everything moved no more than a snail's pace.
The beast's slowed screeches warped into real time as we did, and I turned back around, resuming my course for the tram as it struggled with the bullets that ate away at its insides.
The last door of the train had disappeared from view, and all that remained was the cabin windows and the nose.
I screamed at the top of my burning lungs as, with all my effort; all my strength; all my will, I pushed forward. My hoof flared up with the electrical current. Bolts of red lightning were traveling ahead of me!
If only it made me faster.
With a running leap, I smashed through the side window of the cabin and landed on the floor. Petiole was lying atop me, holding his hooves firmly around my neck and shaking.
"Get off me!" I snapped as I tried getting up, panting from the high exertion.
He let go and looked down at me. "We made it?"
"Get the fuck off."
Trembling, he raised on all fours and stepped out of the cabin. I joined him shortly after getting some of my breath back.
I looked down at Fluky and smiled, removing my helmet and tossing it on the ground. "Good job, Flukes."
She sighed, smiled, and rolled her eyes. "Stop calling me that."
The tram shook a bit, and the station we were just at had been engulfed in flame.
"Everyone, pack up what you can." I said, staring at the explosion behind us. "Don't overstock, though. Once this ride stops, we need to hoof it as far as we can out of this place."
I looked back to see Fluky and Petiole packing up the saddle bags. Petiole grabbed his journals, along with a few others. Fluky gathered up her comic books.
Petiole was biting off more than he could chew, however...
He wore four saddle bag pairs all along his body, which added up to 8 bags in total. Four of them were stored with food, medicine, and ammo, and the other four were filled with books.
"I said don't overstock!" I put a hoof to my face and groaned.
"I'm not." He replied calmly. "I can manage this."
"Am I going to have to carry you?" I stared flatly.
"I'd prefer it if you didn't..."
"Are you going to start running when I tell you?" The tunnels shook a bit to another distant explosion, and we stumbled around a little. When we recovered, so did the conversation.
"No." He replied. "I already told you, it hurts too much."
I groaned and buried my face in both hooves. "I'm carrying you... But if we make it out of here alive, you owe me." I pointed a hoof at him; my brows knitting as I looked into his visor. "Big time." I looked away and muttered under my breath. "My body is gonna be so sore after this..."
I started putting a few thorn rounds in the mag, in case there was anything else ahead. Unfortunately, we had went through most of the box with the monster back at the reactor. I only hoped that monster stayed dead... But probably not.
There were only two bullets left inside when I finished reloading.
With nothing else to do but wait, I sat down and stocked my right pouch with the food they didn't take. No point in letting it go to waste...


(((((((◉)))))))


"So, do you have a name for the thing back there?" I asked, looking at Petiole as we raced down the tracks toward the exit of 32.
"Not exactly. No one survived long enough to give it one. And I didn't care much to do so."
I looked down at Fluky, who was sitting there quietly on one of the seats.
We had switched tracks once we got on the main line, and proceeded forward; nose and cab pointing to our destination.
Petiole stepped into the cab and looked at the map, before stepping back out. "We should be there in less than a minute."
I nodded, then returned to Fluky. "How you holding up?"
She looked up at me as I slipped my helmet back on. "I'm okay..." She got up off the seat. "I just... hope we don't see Para's body..."
I sighed and hung my head down. "Yeah... me too..."
The tram jolted abruptly, causing the three of us to lose our balance and fall. I quickly stood back up and looked through the cabin window to see a much larger set of green, glowing eyes, followed by a bigger wooden mass attacking the front of the vehicle, preventing us from going any further. The glass shattered, and several tendrils broke through, reaching out for Fluky.
"Go!" I shouted as I stood in the way, blasting the fleshy tentacles with lead.
The zompony screeched as the appendages whipped around. One of them had struck me before burning off the rest of its body. I fell back, feeling more of the health potion from the pipbuck seeping into my system. The impact on my chest was feeling better already, but it wasn't fast enough.
Still, I didn't waste time getting back up and turning to Petiole and Fluky. The ghoul slammed his hoof against a red button on the side of the door, to which they slid open. The two of them ran out into the tunnel. Well, Petiole didn't...
I turned back to the zompony covered in wood and blasted away at it once more. Even with the armor, it didn't stand a chance against the thorn rounds. I watched as its body burnt away on the inside.
But still, burning, it attacked the tram, destroying the system's controls in the process. Sparks flew from the cabin, while gas leaked out from the flooring.
Oh... shit...
I bolted through the doors just as fire spread through the inside of the vehicle, dousing the monster in flame. The force of the explosion had slammed me against the wall of the tunnel. My entire left side ached horribly, and the pipbuck notified me that the last of the health potion that was stored within was used to treat my injuries.
I looked back at the train to see all the windows had shattered. I could feel the immense heat beaming off the vessel. The inside was fire, and that was it. Nothing else remained.
"Let's go!" Fluky shouted as the facility continued to rumble. A light grew from the end of the tunnel where we came from. A bright, orange, fiery light...
I got up and lifted Petiole on my back, who reluctantly accepted, and made haste down the tunnel. My left side was still aching, but the potion had taken away most of the damage.
Fluky ran alongside me as the zompony burnt to a crisp, screaming in its final moments.
The station was just ahead. I could see the opening.
The hissing of a great fire grew from behind as explosions continued to rock the area around us. Bits of ceiling crumbled down on us. Fire and steam burst from pipes and walls, launching tile at us from both sides, but we kept on track. Every second mattered.
The merciless beast called Time didn't do any favors for anyone or anything. It always had its own agenda... and it was to chase us.
Eventually, it would win. It always won.
But that didn't mean that it had to win today.
Upon reaching the opening of the station, I stopped and lifted Fluky up onto the tiled floor. I let Petiole climb off my back and get up next, before I jumped and pulled myself up onto the platform. I heaved Petiole on my back once more, who grumbled under his breath, and the three of us bolted for the stairs ahead.
The roar of fire had grown to ear deafening levels, ready to devour all.
We reached the top of the stairs to see a set of turnstyles. Beyond that was a door. Fluky and I jumped over as we ran for it.
Tiles burst from the floor, ceiling, and walls around us, and water hosed us down from burst pipes. Better than fire.
I tried the door, but it didn't open.
"Fuck!" I slammed my hoof against it, noticing the electrical current was starting up again.
Petiole slipped off my back, pulling out a card from his suit. He held it out before a small, circular red light on the side, which soon turned green. The door slid down, revealing the corridor that Fluky and I had walked through when we first entered the stable.
This time, Petiole jumped on my back on his own accord. We turned right and hoofed it through the corridor, as the left was the stairs that led down. Thankfully, nothing was in our way. The infected must have all cleared out... which I wasn't so thankful for. It meant we had an epidemic on our hooves...
The hall shook violently, causing all of us to lose our balance and fall over. I quickly lifted myself up as the fire behind us roared loud enough to make a dragon proud. The temperature was rising to unbearable levels...
I lifted Fluky back on her hooves, put Petiole back on my back, and continued our marathon. Sparks flew from the cables and lights overhead, some of which shattered.
Upon reaching the end, we turned right and bolted down the next corridor of moss and dirt. Reaching the end of that, we turned left. As Fluky ran for the stable exit, I looked down where we came from to see a blazing inferno coming at us at speeds none of us could outrun for very long.
I charged for the exit as Fluky hoofed it to the outdoors. She jumped to the left, seeking shelter from what was coming.
Outside, I could see fire was already burning away at the forests. The cloudy skies were red, just like in my visions...
Parts of the ground burst, and pillars of fire broke free, reaching for the skies.
It must have been night, since a lot of that sky was dark.
I ran through the cogwheel shaped doorway and jumped to the right, taking cover just as fire spat out from the stable's opening.
Petiole was on the ground covering his head, while my back was pressed up against the metal, exterior wall of the stable. I closed my eyes as the roar of fire surrounded us.
The ground shook beneath us, and soon enough, I heard the distant rumbles of explosions from below.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Fluky ahead; her coat covered in black. She was hacking before she looked at me and started shouting. I couldn't hear her, but I understood what she was trying to say.
I picked Petiole up, put him on my back once more, and started running again. The air was becoming unbreathable here. It was time to go.
A little more than halfway through the park, Fluky and I froze at the sight of a pony standing before us...
With the scorching roar in the distance, we were able to hear the radio blasting a tune while he danced happily, holding the robotic bunny rabbit that I still had a hard time comprehending.

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

Little darling, it's been a long, cold, lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

There was a fresh, bloody wound in his chest... One of a bullet.
Yet there he was, ignoring it completely and dancing to the music in a burning park in the middle of the night.
His golden eyes locked on mine, and he smiled. "Hey there, Churro!" He continued dancing with his pet bunny. Bunny...

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

"P... PARA!?" Fluky and I looked at each other for reassurance that we weren't crazy, but she was just as baffled as I was. "YOU'RE ALIVE!"
"Not for long, if we don't get out of here." Petiole said, hanging off my back.
I glanced back at him, then nodded, realizing he was right. "Para, we need to go!"
"Say no more! I'm in!" He grinned before nuzzling his little bunny buddy and putting her in the cage beside him, which he tied to his back soon after.
"Can you run?"
"Sure can!" He beamed at me.

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

The bullet wound in his chest had me concerned... Not just for his safety, but... Happy had that same gunshot in my vision...
Right now it didn't matter... We needed to get out of here... I'd think more on it later...
From there, Fluky and I started running, and Para followed close behind with a happy canter as the music continued to play.
> Channel 001.1; Radio Nowhere
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a world filled with misery and uncertainty, it is a great comfort to know that in the end, there is a light in the darkness.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The clouds in the distance were of red and black, while the ones above us just consisted of the void. Ash from the burning trees of Saddle snowed down on us as we sat on the side of the highway on a small field of grass, around a campfire. The scent of burning wood filled the air. But another scent lingered with it...
Burning flesh.
The air wasn't as heavy where we were. We had gotten far away enough from the city that we could breathe properly, and we didn't have to worry about the killer trees now that we were out of the forest. I didn't see any of the shadow things either, but regardless, I kept watch for any trouble as we sat around our main light source and warmth.
Petiole had a set of pliers dug in Para's chest, who squirmed and groaned as he laid there. The red LED lighting on his armor had changed to green by the time we escaped the forest and city.
"Hold still." Petiole snapped. "You don't want this inside you when you're healing."
"But it hurts!" He cried out in a whiny tone.
"Where was this attitude when you were dancing in the park?" Petiole asked flatly. He sighed and hung his head down a bit. "Look... If you're good for it, I'll give you a candy cane by the end of this. Okay?"
Immediately, his ears perked up, and he grinned. "Candy cane?"
"Uh... Y-yeah..."
He nodded happily and beamed at him. "Deal!"
Petiole turned to me, but I shrugged with a faint smile. "Para's a slut for them."
He turned back to Para and resumed digging the pliers in.
Para groaned in pain as he gritted his teeth. "Just... don't touch the sides." I caught a smile behind that pained expression.
Petiole shook his head as he operated on him. "I think I got the bullet... Just... hold... still..." He slowly pulled the pliers out with the bullet in his grasp. "Almost there..."
"Bzzt!"
Petiole looked up at Para to see him grinning.
"What the hell is-" Para quickly flung a pebble at his head, knocking it against the visor. "Hey, what the fu-" Another pebble struck him in the side of his head. "Stop that!" He shook his head hard and backed up. I was stifling a giggle, but Fluky stayed focused on the fire in the distance... Where her home once was...
"What is your problem?" Petiole continued. "Do you want the bullet out or not?"
"Eh." Para shrugged with a smile. "Doesn't matter to me."
Petiole sighed. "Let me take it out and stitch you up. Otherwise, it's going to get infected, and you're going to die."
"I'm going to fly?" He raised a brow. "But I don't have wings!" He sat up straight, and I caught the bandaged stubs of where his wings once were wiggle.
"... What?" Petiole deadpanned, before looking to me for clarification.
"I don't think the word 'death' or 'die' or anything like that is in his vocabulary... Or the idea of it, for that matter."
Petiole groaned and rubbed his temple. "That's it." He looked back at Para. "Lie down, let me take the bullet out, and let me stitch you up. Or you're not getting a candy cane. Final warning."
Para gasped and immediately lied on his back. "Just hurry... It hurts."
"This would have been done already if you weren't messing around..." He stuck the pliers in once more, found the bullet, and pulled it out. "There. See?" He held the bullet out in front of him, then muttered to himself. "Freak..."
"Oooo!" He grabbed the bullet. "Red and shiny! Can I keep it?"
"... Sure. Why not?" He grabbed some sewing supplies. "Now stay still. This shouldn't take long..."
I looked over at Fluky to see she hadn't taken her eyes off the red glow in the distance. It was awfully warm out here tonight.
I quietly stepped forward and sat beside her. She still didn't take her eyes off the glow, and I noticed she was hugging the teddy bear she had gotten from Stable 32.
"Hey Fluky..."
"Robutt." She replied simply.
I watched the view she seemed to be lost in. "What's on your mind?"
She sighed and hung her head. "I miss my parents... My home..." She looked away and spoke softer. "I don't... blame you for what happened... I'm not happy with you for participating in it... but I also can't really blame you... It's the others." She hugged my forehoof and nuzzled it gently. "If it hadn't been for you, I'm sure they would have found me and killed me."
I looked down at her with a thought I dreaded.
"I'm guessing come tomorrow, we'll be parting ways. I got you out of Saddle, like I promised I would."
She was back to staring at the horizon, but her side was pressed up against mine. "We'll see..."
I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and together, we silently watched the city burn in the distance.


(((((((◉)))))))


I felt a hoof tap me on the arm. I opened my eyes to see Petiole looking down at me, wearing his helmet and armor like he usually did.
"We need to talk..." He spoke softly, as to not wake the others.
"This couldn't wait 'till morning?" I asked in a groggy tone, looking around. My armor was beside me, and the rifle was disconnected from it.
"I wanted to speak with you while the others were asleep." He replied before turning around. "Walk with me."
I got up and followed as we stepped away from the campfire and into the darkness of the street. Several wagons had been left abandoned here; some of which had crashed into one another. I saw mangled pony skeletons lying underneath some when I turned my pipbuck light on.
I stopped at a tipped over wagon at the sight of a full bottle of absinthe and a pack of cigarettes. I snatched both with a wide grin on my face, looking at Petiole. "Got a light?"
He turned to me, spotted the alcohol and cigs, then sighed. "So you're going to kill yourself now. Is that it?"
I shrugged with a mirthless smile. "Why wouldn't I? Dying in a year anyways." I paused briefly, shaking the pack. "So about that light..."
He shook his head. "I didn't bring you out here so we could talk about your... situation. Though, I will need some samples off you later, once we're in a safer environment."
I sat down, putting the bottle and pack down between us. "So why am I out here then?"
"There's something wrong with Para."
I scoffed at his statement. "You mean apart from him getting dropped on his head too many times when he was little? This'll be a doozy..." I deadpanned.
"Not that. But... it could be connected."
"Connected to what?" I raised a brow.
"There's a part of him that's... missing. I looked inside him, and... a big part of his soul is just... gone."
Wait... was this guy serious right now?
"I know... I know." Petiole looked down. "It's crazy talk. But ever since I died and came back, I could see into other ponies' souls. Even if they were completely infected and turned. I could see... or, at least... get an idea as to what they were like. A lot of Para's soul is missing... and it worries me. Whenever I try and look deeper, it hurts..."
"... Uh, okay then." I shrugged. "What do you want me to do about it?"
"There's nothing you can do. There's nothing I can do. But I wanted to get it off my chest. There's something wrong, and you needed to know."
I nodded for a few seconds before frowning. "Wait... is that why you were doing an analysis on me earlier, back in the stable? Were you looking into my soul?" Oof, that sounded weird to say...
He nodded, and my brows knitted as I looked at him.
"And what did you see?"
"You don't want to know what I saw..."
"Stop it, Petiole." I sat up straight; my muzzle a few inches from his. "What did you see?"
"... I saw a lot of pain, Charger." He spoke softly. "Pain... neglect... sorrow..." He looked away. "You're lost, and you can't find the missing pieces to complete yourself."
"Do you know what the missing pieces are?"
He shook his head. "I don't. I'm sorry. I'd help you if I knew. But not even your memories held the answers you seek."
"Of course they didn't..." I murmured, looking off into the darkness.
Two white lights wandered the distance, down the road. A few seconds after looking at them, they had stopped... almost as if they were looking back...
"Hey, do you see that...?" I pointed at it, and Petiole turned to look.
"See what?" He stared for a few seconds, then turned to me.
"Those lights over there..." I couldn't take my eyes off them...
He looked back, but said nothing until he turned to me once more. "Let's head back, Charger..."
I sighed, stood up, grabbed the bottle and pack, and together, we walked back to the campfire. I looked back to check on the lights that watched me in the distance, but they were nowhere to be seen.


(((((((◉)))))))


My eyelids cracked open to the crude intrusion of my slumber that the sun felt was necessary. The radio was playing a soft tune - another one of Octavia's works - while everyone else was awake.
Fluky was chowing down on some fruit, while Petiole was checking something on his pipbuck. Para was just... sitting there with his tongue hanging out in a playful manner, watching me...
I've had creepier ways to wake up, but... dude, that's creepy.
"Good morning, Churro!" He said happily.
"Charger..." I murmured.
"Farther!" He quickly... corrected. Whatever...
He tilted his head, smiling. "Did you sleep well?"
"Meh..." I looked down at the bottle of absinthe I found last night to find a quarter of it was gone. I could still feel the warmth it provided in my gut. That nice, comfy, yet sickening warmth...
I unscrewed the cap and took one last gulp off it for the road, before screwing it back on and storing it in my pouch. I lightly smacked the bottom of the pack of cigs against my hoof a few times, to which Para raised a brow.
"What are you doing?"
"Waking up the cancer." I deadpanned before opening the pack and slipping one into my mouth. "Does anyone have a light?"
Petiole shook his head, Fluky shrugged, and Para replied with "a fight? That doesn't sound too pleasant. Why would I have a fight?"
... I wasn't even gonna bother. It was too early in the morning for this...
The campfire was burnt out. Nothing but smoldering wood, and that wasn't enough to light the cig.
"Alright..." I said with the cig in my mouth. "Fine. No light, no problem." And with that, I pulled the cigarette further into my mouth and started chewing.
Fluky and Petiole just stared at me, but Para didn't seem to realize that cigarettes tasted horrible... Goddess', the taste...
"Can I have one?" Para asked.
"No." I said behind a mouthful of cig. His ears folded back as he pouted.
It was hard to get down... But I got this far. I closed my eyes and shuddered after downing it.
"Why did you do that, Charger?" Petiole finally asked in disgust.
"Cause it tastes better than tentacles." I smiled back faintly. "And after having nightmares of tentacles, I needed something to cancel it out." I put the pack back in my pouch with the alcohol before continuing. "And the absinthe wasn't doing it for me. So I improvised."
He sighed and shook his head. "I don't approve."
"Well, you wouldn't, now would you? Seeing as you're a doctor and all." I waved a hoof at him and sat up, getting into my armor.
"I could really go for a kumquat right about now..." Para muttered, still sulking around the burnt out pile of sticks.
I reached into my pouch, pulled one out, and tossed it at him. "There ya go." I said with a smile.
He looked up and caught it, grinning again. "Oh!" He immediately starting chowing down on it. It was gone within a matter of seconds. "Sweet!" He looked back at me, smacking his lips. "Are you some sort of magic, that whenever I want something, you can make it happen?" His eyes grew full of hope.
Petiole groaned in annoyance. "Yeah, we're all in some failed Twilight Zone episode. Plot twist, Fluky is secretly a synth from the Institute, and Charger here shits rainbow-" He was quickly interrupted with a pebble striking his visor. He stared at Para silently for a while before resuming. "I'm going to punch you in the face if you keep doing that."
"No swearing in front of children." He replied with a frown. "It's rude."
He looked down at Fluky for a few seconds before returning to Para. "You could have just told me that, instead of throwing shi-" Pebble. "Dam-" A slightly larger pebble. "Okay!" He raised his voice a bit, then started coughing and hacking for a long while. When he calmed himself down, he resumed. "You're starting to irritate me."
"You get used to it after a while." I said with a smirk as I nudged Petiole's shoulder. "We all ready to head out?"
Fluky nodded, picking up her saddle bags and letting the teddy bear ride on her back.
Para nodded happily, and Petiole slowly turned to look at me with a simple reply.
"Yes."


(((((((◉)))))))


"So..." I said as I walked alongside Petiole. "What the hel-" A pebble struck me behind the ear, and I sighed. "What's this 'Institute' that you mentioned?"
"Not quite sure, honestly." He replied. "But what I do know is that a lot of scientists in 32 had some sort of relation with them. " He paused for a short while, thinking to himself. "There were some... strange sightings, back when 32 was alive and kicking. Ponies we never even met just walking around as if they knew the place. Sometimes, they'd stop and talk to some of us. Ask us questions. And then we wouldn't see that individual again. I ended up having a conversation with one of them myself."
The road ahead was littered with crashed and abandoned wagons. The sky was still hot with smoke, and it still snowed burnt tree ash. But we were safe from the Saddle fires, at least.
"And?" I looked over.
"I asked where he came from, cause he sure as shi-" A pebble struck the back of his head, and he growled. "I asked where he came from, because he certainly wasn't a resident of 32. All he gave me was 'The Institute.' When I asked what he was doing in 32, he replied with 'studying.' Then he just walked off. Never saw him again after that."
My brows knitted. "Wait... but what was all that about... synths, was it? As in, synthetic?"
He nodded. "Security caught one of the visitors after it injured one of our engineers. It shut itself down, so in the confusion, we did an autopsy to find it was filled with wires and circuitry. Never saw any new visitors after that."
"Maybe that was a good thing."
"Definitely. The overmare was ready to start a war with them if they ever showed up again. Another reason she started the assembly line of robots." He went quiet, but even with the helmet on, I could tell there was something else he wasn't saying. He seemed to read my mind, as he started to continue after a short while. "When I died... I saw you."
Wait, what?
I turned and looked at him, my brow raised. "What do you mean?"
"In a vision. I saw you. It was just you... nothing else. But you told me you were going to find me."
"That's..."
I didn't really know how to respond to that... Huh...
"Crazy, I know." He continued as we stared ahead at the hundreds of scattered wagons. At the far end of the highway was a tunnel that ran underground.
We stopped as we waited for Para and Fluky to catch up. They had fallen behind... somehow.
We looked at the burning city together as we waited. Black, fiery smoke rose into the clouds in great big stacks. Pillars that looked as if they held the sky itself up. The sun was an ugly, sickly yellow through the clouds overhead.
"Would it be wrong to take comfort in seeing that place burn?" Petiole asked softly, keeping his green, glowing visor locked on the ruins.
"If it is, then I guess we're both fucked up." Thankfully, Para's pebbles didn't meet me. They were too far away to hear us.
"Heh... Yeah..." Petiole sat down, and soon after, I joined. "There's a certain beauty behind it..."
"I see it." I replied with a nod as we gazed out at the burning horizon.
Para and Flukes trotted up to us, and the filly dropped a few bottle caps from her mouth, letting them drop on the asphalt before me.
"I found a bit of money." She said with a smile.
"You keep it." I replied, looking down at them. "If you're gonna be leaving us, I can only imagine you'll have more use for it than we will."
She looked down at the caps, then back up at me with sad eyes. "Yeah... Well..."
The radio broke into static, interrupting her. Para frowned at the intrusion. "Darn thing. Always breakin' down." He pulled it out and started smacking it against the side of a wagon. "Work, you stupid radio! Work!"
"Here, let me see it..." I took the radio from him before he broke it for good and examined the inside through the cracked casing. It all looked... Wait... This shouldn't have been-
"What's that noise?" Petiole asked, looking around. His ears were folded back, as if he were worried.
I stopped and looked around, just now noticing the faint buzzing of spinning propellers. They were getting louder...
I tried to turn the volume down on the radio, but it seemed to have jammed on me.
Before I knew it, two Vertibucks flew down from the clouds, tearing holes through the thick curtain to reveal the bright blue before it was sealed away from the surface once more.
Fluky was already hiding underneath one of the wagons next to us, and Petiole pulled Para into a separate one with him.
"Charger, hide." Petiole said calmly, looking at me. His visor and LEDs had changed from green to red.
It was already too late. I already knew they could see me. If I hid, then I'd sacrifice the safety of my party. I couldn't do that.
The two Vertibucks flanked me on both sides of the road, and a familiar voice spoke through the speaker as two Steel Rangers aimed the mounted guns at me. A voice that triggered my anger...
Electricity started crackling in my hoof...
"Give it up, Charger!" Crimson shouted. "Surrender the anomaly!"
Anomaly...?
I looked around at both of the Vertibucks that kept their guns locked on me. "Shit..." A pebble struck me in the back of the head, but despite the increasing level of annoyance, I chose not to acknowledge it. I slipped the radio in my ammo pouch.
"Uh oh!" The host on the radio channel said as the static faded away, and the beginning of a song took place. "Seems we're in a bit of trouble, folks. But don't touch that dial! We're just getting started..." At once, the music increased in temp with the rapid strum of a guitar.
My instinct was to run. Just run. Don't fight! Run!
The barrels of the guns spun to life as lead shredded the asphalt all around me. Splinters of wood swept over me from the wagons left and right of me, while chips of road struck my armor.
SWEET FUCKING CELESTIA, HOW WAS I NOT DEAD YET!?
The two miniguns buzzed aggressively as they rained hellfire down on me, but somehow not a single bullet struck me.
"Oh, for fuck's sake!" Crimson shouted over the speaker. "He's just one pony! Kill him! Wait... was that a pebble...?"
I kept running! I couldn't stop!
The music was certainly motivational, considering the situation!
My hoof was growing a bigger charge as I bolted down the street. A rush of wind grew before the wagon to my right became fire. Planks of wood rammed against me, and splinters stabbed at my armor, but I wasn't knocked off course.
A missile sprung asphalt up from my left, clouding my vision momentarily. The missile, however, didn't detonate. It was a dud!
I swerved right and slipped into SATS as the Vertibucks continued to fly past, and I looked through the scope, aiming up at the ranger spraying lead down at me. I aimed, and without hesitation, bit down on the handle. The thorn round penetrated through his visor, and blood spewed out as he fell back, crying out. His body fell out the other side, landing on the street below the overpass I was crossing.
I went back to running. If I stopped for too long, then I was asking to be killed.
Two more Vertibucks flew in ahead, and four Steel Rangers dropped down between the street tunnel and where I was.
"YOU'RE DONE, CHARGER!" Crimson shouted as I witnessed he too, was jumping out of the Vertibuck on my right. "YOU'RE MINE!"
He landed a few feet to my right, bringing up a cloud of asphalt upon impact. As he recovered, I looked to my left to see the ranger beside the pony operating the turret was about to launch another missile my way from the cannons built into both sides of his armor. I had witnessed the last moments of their reload.
In an attempt to fire them down at me, the first one jammed. Flames burst from his side as he panicked to get the armor off, but that too, seemed to be malfunctioning.
I ran around a wagon just as Crimson fired a shot from his cannon, causing one side of it to explode in a wave of splinters.
"I SHOULD HAVE KILLED YOU WHEN YOU WERE BORN!" He called out, and shortly after, I heard the heavy hooffalls of his armor chasing after me.
The flames in the ranger's cannon to my left grew before the Vertibuck detonated from the inside. It spun out of control, heading for my path ahead. The Steel Rangers that had landed had formed a firing squad ahead of me, ready to eliminate just as I made one final turn around a wagon.
Before they could, the Vertibuck slammed down on them; the propellers cutting through their armor like a blender, before detonating completely. Shrapnel whizzed past like bullets, some of which struck Crimson's armor. It was a shame it didn't do anything to him.
Wagons were set on fire in the general area of the explosion. Scorched pieces of wood rained down on the two of us.
"Give me the fucking anomaly, Charger!" His voice sounded much closer than it did earlier... and so did his stomping, for that matter!
I leaped through the burning wreckage of the Vertibuck before me and came out the other side, unscathed.
Crimson charged through the same wreckage, but stopped in his tracks as I continued to run for the dark tunnel ahead.
The 50. caliber cannon on his left side fired heavy, rapid rounds at me, leaving half of a second of a time gap between each shot.
Asphalt sprayed at me, stinging the parts of my hide that wasn't protected. Missiles whistled as they flew past, blowing up the wagons in the tunnel.
I turned, slipped into SATS, and looked at my options. 5 percent for the head!? What the fuck!? Damn it!
The missile launcher was a fiver as well, seeing as there was a missile currently blocking the way. But... hm...
I plotted two shots at the missile launcher, and one on the 50 cal., in case things didn't work out. I had a 25 percent chance of hitting the 50 cal.
I fired my first shot at the missile launcher, but ended up striking the missile instead; causing it to explode in midair before getting anywhere near me. The next shot went through the flames and struck the cannon, but failed to hit any of the missiles within. Go figure...
My third shot bolted for the caliber and, to my surprise, traveled down the barrel of the gun, causing it to smoke from the inside after a tiny burst had occurred from the bullet that waited in the chamber.
I slipped out of SATS, and the world went back to its regular pace. Fuck, the adrenaline felt good!
I spun around for the tunnel as Crimson continued to launch missiles my way. It was a shame I couldn't get rid of that, and him with it!
"SEE YA, FUCKER!" I called out as I ran into the dark tunnel ahead. Missiles continued to fly in after me, striking the wagons around me as I ran further into the depths.
The music seemed to go on in a loop, and turning it down didn't seem to be an option. Once I escaped Crimson's wrath, maybe I could find a way to fix that.
Dust and dirt fell from the ceiling with each rumble of explosion. Looking behind me, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, followed with the occasional explosion. I continued running, in case he decided to come after me.
I looked ahead, but I couldn't see anything in front of me. It was too dark in here...
I slowed down for a few, pulled out the radio, and tried the volume again. It still wasn't turning down! Damn it!
I hit the power button, but the music resumed. Agh, damn it!
Groaning out of frustration, I slipped it back into my pouch and looked at my E.F.S.
Oh fuck...
There were dozens of hostiles in the area ahead... and behind. Judging by how fast they were moving around, they were pretty close...
I turned on the pipbuck light, and my surroundings lit up in red. In an instant, I flicked the gun to full auto.
For there before me was what I was afraid of lurking in the dark...
Ferals.
They hissed and growled as they charged for me. I backed up, spraying a stream of thorn rounds at them. Their bodies convulsed as they fell at the first sign of penetration. Blood spewed from their eyes, ears, nose and mouth, and after a few seconds, a few red markers vacated from my Eyes Forward Sparkle.
I could hear more in the distance, aggravated from the sound of gunfire and the radio, which was echoing through the tunnel. I switched to semi and continued running ahead with the music, realizing that using full auto with thorn rounds was a waste of resources when facing ferals.
Running around a line of wagons, I came to an opening with five more ferals... and one of the zomponies from 32. Tentacles spilled out from its sides and lashed out at the ferals as it hissed. The ferals attacked it from all sides as a group, going in to rip and tear the flesh with their teeth. The zompony growled as they tore away at it, and the tendrils wrapped around them. Some were forced into its abdomen, which split apart for entry, while others were being fused to its body. There, fused and melted into the hide of the zompony, they continued to thrash around, trying to bite at it.
Didn't the hosts need to be living in order to infect...? What was this then...?
Was it trying to grow like the beast back in 32...?
I didn't want to wait to find out.
I pelted the monster with the rest of my mag, which didn't hold much more rounds.
As it screamed and burned away from the inside, I switched out the spent mag with some normal rounds and continued running further into the tunnel once I had heard several more ferals closing in from behind.
I switched to full auto again, thinking that normal rounds wouldn't be anywhere close as effective as the thorns. I didn't want to use the Tungstian rounds on ferals, because it seemed especially useful against machines.
I heard Crimson's screams far behind me.
"YOU CAN'T RUN FOREVER, CHARGER! WHEN I FIND YOU, I'M GONNA FINISH THE JOB LIKE I SHOULD HAVE, THE DAY I CRUSHED YOUR MOTHER'S SKULL!"
I stopped, dead in my tracks.
He... he did what...?
My heart... felt like it had stopped beating...
Several ferals moved in from ahead and behind, ready to strike...
My... mother...?
One pounced on me from behind, trying to bite into the armor. I rolled over on top of it and struck it repeatedly in the gut until it let go. I jumped up, aimed the rifle down, and riddled it with holes until it stopped thrashing. Another feral moved in, biting into my side while another went for the neck. I kept the barrel of my rifle against the neck biter's chest, keeping it at bay. A third went for the other side of my neck, but I raised a forehoof to keep it away from me as I filled the second ghoul's chest with lead. After maybe half a mag later, it dropped dead. I spun to face the third ghoul; my rear facing the first. As I spent the rest of my magazine on the ghoul in front of me, I raised my hind quarters and gave the feral behind me a good set of bucks. I heard bones snap upon impact, along with the thunderous boom of the electrical discharge. I looked back to discover I had not only electrocuted it, but I had also snapped its neck.
With the three bodies around me, dead, I looked around my surroundings on my E.F.S. to find I was surrounded in nearly every direction.
I had woken up the tunnel.
I looked to my left, and at the far end, on the wall opposite me, was a door to maintenance. Without having a second thought, I pushed forward.
Two ghouls ran into view and came at me, snarling. I bit down on the handle, but the gun simply clicked.
I shook my head hard and pressed on. My hoof was building up another charge with the frustration that I was in. And it was building up fast.
I took a chance at seeing what was behind me, and found several more ferals on my tail.
I quickly jumped up on the back of a wagon, ejected the magazine, and popped the first one I pulled out from the ammo pouch in. Unfortunately, it was T-rounds.
I didn't care. I didn't have the time to go searching for normies.
I cocked the rifle, aimed it down at them as they gathered around the wagon, and unleashed a storm of lead down on their undead forms. It wasn't as effective as the thorns, but it wasn't as weak as the normal rounds, either. Each round definitely packed a punch.
Fragments of brain and skull flew out from their heads, and some of those skull fragments had even tore new holes through the back of their head as T-rounds entered through the front. Coagulated blood oozed out of their wounds as, one by one, I put an end to their miserable, undead life.
By the time the magazine was empty, a bunch of corpses laid before me.
I pocketed the empty mag at my hooves, hopped off the wagon, and continued running for the door. There were more coming, and I didn't have the ammo or the focus to take them all on... My E.F.S. was pretty much red all around.
My mother...
I opened the door, ran in after seeing it was safe, and closed and locked it behind me. Ferals hissed and growled on the other side as their beat their hooves bloody against the metal surface. I swapped out the old mag with a new normie and aimed around the storage room. There was a hall at the far end of the room, in the corner opposite of me.
My E.F.S. didn't show any hostiles around that area, so I let my guard down, even though I knew it was a bad idea, and took out the two boxes of ammo, followed by all the empty mags. The two full ones in the pouch were filled with normies, so I filled the three empties with T-rounds. Tungstian rounds weren't that bad to use against ferals, after all.
I released an exasperated sigh at my situation as I put the boxes of ammo away. I leaned the back of my head against the door, looking up at the ceiling. I was locked in here... alone...
The ferals kept at it with the door, eager to get their next meal.
They'd have to try harder than that.
I hoped that Petiole, Para, and Fluky were safe...
Suddenly, the music stopped.
"Psst!"
I looked around the room, but I didn't see anybody.
"Hey, you with the face."
I continued looking around, puzzled as I pointed a hoof to my chest and mouthing the word 'me?'
"Yeah, you."
Wait... that voice...
I took the radio out and looked at it. No, that couldn't be possi-
"So you finally figured it out, huh?" The DJ that played on Para's radio said through the speaker with a soft chuckle.
"W-wait... what the hell?" I turned the radio around, examining the body. This had to be some sort of trick... Maybe he heard me through the intercom of the radio, seeing as it was a HAM. But... how did he know what I was doing...?
"Ah, ah, ah!" The DJ continued in his cheerful tone. "Make sure Para doesn't hear you say that around Flukes. Unless, of course... you like pebbles being thrown at you."
"Who... What? HOW!?" I asked, baffled at the radio before me. This wasn't happening, was it? Have I flipped? Gone mad?
"Heh... Consider yourself lucky, Chargie. You're the first one I've ever come out of the closet for. You're very special. As for the who of the question... My name is Tuner. I've been watching you for quite some time now. Been watching others as well, but... you? Mmm... you're a sight for sore eyes. Tellin' you right now, if you were in here with me, I'd let you plug your auxiliary cable in my AUX input anytime, anyday babe." He let out a small laugh that implied he was enjoying himself a little too much.
"This is some sort of joke, right?" I asked, still checking around the radio. Maybe there was a hidden camera or something... "You're just some DJ in the wasteland somewhere, and you have a connection to this radio?"
"I wish it were a joke. But I'm a pony stuck inside a radio. Or... actually, a battery. The radio is just the messenger."
I stopped and observed the blue glow through the casing in the back, where the battery resided. "Wait... Battery?"
"Mhm. There I am, listening to some tunes and relaxin' on my couch back home, and suddenly BAM! Get knocked out. When I wake up, my body is gone, I'm somewhere I've never even been before, and my new body is that of a battery. The one you're seeing now. The adventures I went through after that... Bombs drop. I get tossed around. I've been put into a crap ton of stuff throughout the generations in the wasteland. The sex toys were the most... awkward..."
"But... wait... Crimson... anomaly... wha?"
"Yep. I'm the anomaly. Was hoping they wouldn't see me on their scannermajigs, but look where we are now. And man, did you kick some serious tail out there. I'd pay to see that body in action again."
"Wait, hold on..." I frowned, and my hoof started to generate a soft electric current. "You were keeping me from turning off the music, weren't you!?"
"Yep. Hope you like music from beyond the stars, cause that's mostly what I've been feedin' ya even since you stumbled across Para."
I glared down at the radio I held. "You fucking asshole. Why did you do that!? I was trying to get away from danger, not lure it in! And now I'm stuck down here alone!"
"I was protecting you."
"Protecting me?" I raised a brow. "You sure have a funny way of 'protecting.'"
"Take a look at yourself, man. Do you see any bullet wounds? Any bites, scratches, or burns?"
I paused, remembering that not too long ago, I was running through gunfire of not one, but two miniguns, missile launchers, and 50 calibers... and I got through it all unscathed.
"Well... no..." I murmured, looking away.
"Exactly. So you can call me Blackjack, cause I just gave you a big stroke of luck."
"Blackjack?"
"Heh, yep. Been keeping an eye on her, too. And Little Pip."
"Her?" I asked puzzled. "Who's... Blackjack? Who's Little Pip?"
"You know that story you heard from your steel buddies out there about Thunderhead being destroyed, over in Hoofington?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"That was from Blackjack. Security. Or... she was involved, anyways. Right now, she's flying off to the moon to get her body back. As for Little Pip... Ahem... Lightbringer."
Uh... okay then. Kinda hard to tell if this... Tuner... was crazy or not. Lightbringer was enough for me, though. The Steel Rangers were invested on trying to reach out to her... or so I thought. I had high doubts they just wanted to talk.
"Don't believe me? Take a look at the night sky tomorrow. Hoofington is going through the grinder right now. Keep an eye on the moon."
I blinked once, before resuming my series of questions. "Sooo... what, you can just see things, even if you're not there?"
"Oh Charger, of course! I've seen beyond the stars. I know things that no one in all of Equus know about. Not even the zebras."
"Prove it."
"I can't." He said quickly. "There are rules... and if I break them, then you can kiss all of ponykind goodbye. Honestly, that thing about the music from beyond the stars might have been pushing it, but no one's blown up yet, so..."
"How wonderfully convenient..." I deadpanned.
"Charger. Male. 25 years old. Born and raised among the Steel Rangers, but had difficulties with them growing up. Always considered the weakest link. Unicorns were scared of being affiliated with you, and earth ponies always picked on you for not being as physically strong as they were. So it made you lonely. Until, of course, Snow Star entered your life. You two fell in love with each other."
I froze as he told me my life story...
"You got her pregnant, and she was found out. Your good for nothing sister gave your 'fearless' leader the idea to either have her abort it, or leave the bunker and make you suffer the heartache. Snow left, and your soft, fluffy heart was left cold and broken. Throughout the years, you pushed on and built their trust, making them think that you were on board with whatever they did. And you did so by believing your own lies. So you hurt unicorns. Killed them at times, even. It hurt you immensely, but the show had to go on. You buried your true feelings behind a mask, until one day you were promoted to Knight. Your plan was to get away from them and go looking for Snow Star, should she still be alive."
This... this wasn't possible... How...?
"I know who you are, Charger. I know what you are."
"Then..." I started in a low tone. "What am I...?"
"I'm... afraid we aren't ready for that just yet."
I sighed and shook my head, quietly setting the radio down before me. "Well... since you seem to know a lot that's happening around the wasteland..." I paused and regarded the radio. "Is Snow Star alive...?"
My heart pounded for the answer. I was scared, but also hopeful that she was. I needed her to be alive...
"I can't answer that, either. It breaks the rules of the game."
"This isn't a game... I need to know if she's out there..."
"Everything's a game, Chargie. But some games just aren't as fun as others..."
I groaned and rolled my eyes. "Alright, well... tell me more about this... battery. Seeing as I'm being hunted down for it, I should get to know what it actually is."
"Little Pip controls the SPP. Blackjack held EC-1101. And you possess the UPC-07. Consider yourself a cornerstone of the wasteland now. The UPC-07 stands for 'Ultimate Power Cell - Prototype 7.' What happened to the others, I'm not quite sure. It was a little before my time in this one, and I can't see anything that happened before I was put in here." He paused as I sat there, waiting for more explanation.
"Oddly enough, there are seven souls in this thing, including my own. Some are just fragments of others, but there are some who have most of their being poured into this. There's only one in here that has all of their soul trapped within, however. Me. Therefore, I have the most control in here. Every once in a while however, one of them slips through the cracks and takes control. So... be careful. Some of a bit unstable."
"Duly noted."
I couldn't believe I was talking to a radio that turned out to carry a battery filled with souls... This was absurd.
"Who are the other souls that are trapped in there with you?"
"One was a bum on the streets of Manehatten, two was put through flying lessons, three was me, who found some glee when I was finally put into a radio, four tore into gore, five went to thrive behind a killer grin, six was kind of a bitch, seven was eleven, and eight was a bit late. All but one of them came from before the bombs, but only one had a part of their soul trapped in here, two centuries after the fact."
"Implying that they're immortal." I stared flatly.
He laughed softly. "Hardly."
"Didn't you say something about there being only seven? Why did you bring up eight?"
"Because what fun is there in making sense?"
"Who is 8?" I spoke emphatically.
"8 takes great caution around your kind, yet they are also quite... curious."
Okay, I guess I wasn't getting a straight answer from him... again.
I thought back on Petiole's memory...
"Five is the Killer Grin, right? Mr. Happy? He was in the papers about how he was frozen in a block of ice."
"That block of ice still exists, too. Kinda... And a part of Happy remains frozen within. Yet he walks around the wasteland, still smiling." There was a brief pause before he continued. "I think by now, you've had a growing suspicion that Para isn't all that he seems. I heard you and Petiole talking last night."
"Para is... Happy...?" My ears folded back as I grew worried for the others. As if I wasn't already...
"Not anymore. When he found me, I took away the demented parts of his soul and kept it safe from himself... and others, for that matter. So long as he has the radio around, and it stays on, Happy stays away. But if he's away from me for too long... then Happy is back to murdering other ponies, thinking he's saving them from misery. And you should know that fighting him is a death sentence. He's a lot stronger than you think. Even as Para."
He was right about me having a sneaking suspicion... It started with the bullet hole in his chest, but my belief became stronger after my conversation with Petiole.
"What happened to his wings?" I asked, frowning.
"That would be where the block of ice comes into play..."
"His wings are still in there...?"
"Mhm. Not a very pleasant story, I'm afraid. One that even the Grand Pegasus Enclave would shudder at. There's something about it, though... It feels almost like there's a connection between you and him. You both relate to something similar... tragic. Some part of you being taken away."
I looked down at my metal hoof, sighing as I rubbed it gently with a fore. "Yeah, well... we're nothing alike..." I rubbed my eyes, wanting to change the topic. "How did you two come across each other?"
"That makes for an interesting story. But I'm gonna save that for another time. Tuner's tired, and he needs his shut eye."
I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"Wake me if you need anything. I'll keep some tunes playin' for ya."
And with that, came the sudden shredding of a guitar.

I was tryin' to find my way home
But all I heard was a drone
Bouncin' off a satellite
Crushin' the last lone Equestrian night

This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?
This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?

I got up and started searching through the lockers and cabinets in the room while the music continued. I found a few bottle caps here and there, along with a zippo lighter. I shook it next to my ear to hear some fluid swishing around within.
Yes!

I was spinnin' 'round a dead dial
Just another lost number in a file
Dancin' down a dark hole
Just searchin' for a world with some soul

This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?
This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?
Is there anybody alive out there?

I had to admit, this song was pretty good. I hadn't quite heard anything like this before. It was new... I had never really imagined music like this before.
I sat down, pulled out the pack of cigs, the bottle of absinthe, and flicked the lighter open to test the wheel. First test was just sparks, but the second worked just fine. Juuuuuust fine...
I put a cig to my lips, lit the end, and took a nice, long pull off it before looking up at the ceiling and blowing smoke up into the air.

I want a thousand guitars
I want poundin' drums
I want a million different voices speakin' in tongues

This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?
This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?
Is there anybody alive out there?

I spun the cap off the bottle of alcohol and raised it to my lips, taking a few large gulps before the burn became too much for me. I choked a bit and coughed as I set the bottle back down. There wasn't really much else to do except wait for those damn ghouls outside to shut up and leave...
Did ferals ever give up...?

I was drivin' through the misty rain
Yeah, searchin' for a mystery train
Boppin' through the wild blue
Tryin' to make a connection with you

This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?
This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?
Is there anybody alive out the-

The music shut off abruptly, and the light within the battery died.
"Enough of that..."
I quickly looked up to see... myself...?
They had my coat and mane, but no cutiemark. She had a horn, but her eyes... Her eyes were like the static of a tv channel that was either out of reach or dead. She grinned as she looked at me.
"Hello, father."
"W-who are you?" I stood up, swaying a bit from the alcohol. I kept my gun on her, in case she tried anything.
"I am your gehenna. I am your sad but true. I am you."
... What was that supposed to mean?
"What's your name?" I asked, studying her from afar.
"I do not have a name, for you never gave me one." She paused and tilted her head to the side, still grinning. "Tell me father. What do you see in my eyes?"
I looked for a few seconds before closing mine. It hurt too much to stare. I looked down at her chest when I opened my eyes again. "... White Noise...?"
"Then that shall be my name." She nodded and stepped forward, but I backed away. She stopped and regarded me. "You do not trust a being of your own making?"
"What are you talking about?"
She clicked her tongue and shook her head gently, still smiling. "You really do not remember, do you?"
Her horn lit up in black and white smoke, and everything around me changed.
I was back in the leaning tower, hacking up the black gunk from my second day in the wasteland. It grew a set of tendrils and ran off, squealing.
Reality came rushing back, and my limbs shook for a few seconds, trying to adjust from lying down one second, and standing up the very next with little to no motion...
"You're...?" I pointed a hoof at her, feeling my stomach start to turn again.
She nodded. "Yes."
"What do you want from me?"
"I want to bear witness." She stepped closer.
I backed away until my flank pressed against the wall. She took a few more steps until the barrel of my rifle pressed against her chest. My mouth worked around the handle, ready to fire.
She moved in; her muzzle a few inches from meeting mine. I could feel her breath... but it was cold...
"Why do you not trust me...?"
Looking into her eyes hurt more and more. Not only did it send my head spinning - the absinthe probably didn't help with that either - but the glow behind them blinded me and made them burn. I closed my eyes, but even through my eyelids, I could still see the glow.
"Is it because you do not trust yourself? Because you know you are a monster for the things you have done? Even before you left the bunker, you were a monster. The acts you have made, you did for yourself. You are of greed. Just like the rangers you loath. You think you will go to the place that is the best? You think you are pure of heart to be accepted? Hell awaits for the wicked, father."
"Go away." I said around the grip.
"You are pathetic. You have to poison your insides to shut out the poison in your mind, because you are too weak to face your demons. But unfortunately for you... your demons are stronger than alcohol and cigarettes, and they will go uninterrupted."
I bit down, and a bullet drove through. She just laughed, and opening my eyes, I saw a hole start to close in her chest. There was no blood. Her insides were black...
"This is not the first time you have resorted to alcohol and cigarettes, is it, father?" She smiled. "You have slept more comfortable at night with a bottle beside your bed, back in that place you used to call home. Nothing you did to others mattered, because at the end of the day, you could forget it all at the bottom of a glass. Your sister raped you? Made you do things you did not wish to happen? You would forget it for a night. When you thought of Snow Star and what could have been? You would forget it for a night. When the thoughts came too early, you would go for more. Because you are weak minded and frail. You are afraid."
"Shut up!" I glared, wanting to shoot her again. But it was just a waste of ammo if she could regenerate. Instead, my hoof expressed my anger. "I said shut up!"
She chuckled. "Does it hurt too much to think about?" She caressed the side of my face with a hoof, looking into my eyes, which I closed soon after. I swear, I was going to go blind if I kept looking... "You may run from the truth, but like the demon you refer to as time, it always catches up and wins. No matter what. Because that is life... and life is a sadistic. Fickle. Bitch."
Her hoof slid away from the side of my head, and the lights of her eyes grew distant.
"I will see you around, father."
When I opened my eyes, she was gone.
I looked down at the lit cigarette on the floor, next to my bottle. I walked over and picked it up, before putting it back in my mouth and taking another pull off it.
It was hard to tell if she appeared from the absinthe, or if she was really there... really was a part of me...
I picked up the bottle, stuffed it in my pouch, put an extra bullet in my mag, and started for the hallway. If I couldn't get out the same way I came in, maybe there was another way further in. At this point, there was an angry undead mob at the door, judging by the big patch of red on my E.F.S.
The hall turned right. When I turned, the hall continued on, but I couldn't see where it ended, as all the power was off in the tunnel, and my pipbuck light didn't travel very far. The good news was that my E.F.S. didn't show any hostiles ahead.
Still, I moved with caution.
For a short while, I walked until a door swung open ahead of me in the distance. I didn't even know it was there, had I not heard the creaky hinges rub against each other, followed by the metal door slam against the wall.
Two white, static glowing eyes looked at me as they approached in a calm manner.
I took a quick peek at my E.F.S. and... well, the blip wasn't there.
Even though I couldn't see its body, I knew what it was.
I held my fire and stayed my ground as it walked toward me; stepping in the red light my pipbuck provided.
"Expect to see me so soon?" She asked, smiling at me.
"Not particularly..." I muttered, looking away from White Noise's eyes.
She released an amused chuckle and nuzzled my neck, to which I pulled away a bit. She turned around.
"Walk with me, father. We must talk."
"About what?"
She looked back with a calm smile, but it was more creepy... what with those eyes of hers...
"Your past, present, and future."
I rolled my eyes, but reluctantly followed beside her. "Stop calling me father, then."
"I cannot." She looked over. "For you are my father. I am your daughter."
"You're not my daughter." I snapped, and the electricity grew a bit. I looked ahead of us, but all I was greeted with was black. "I don't have a..." I tensed up and closed my eyes, hanging my head down. "I never had a kid..."
"I could give you one." There she went, nuzzling my neck again...
I pulled away and glared at her; the electricity around my hoof flaring up a bit. "I'm not having sex with you."
She laughed softly at my response.
"What, did I say something funny?"
She shook her head as we stepped through the doorway she came through, and found ourselves on the second floor to a generator room. We walked for the catwalks that hung over the heavy, long dead machinery.
"Say you did find Snow Star out here. Alive. What would happen next?"
"What are you going on about?" I asked as my brows knitted.
"What would you tell her?"
I didn't say anything... I just stared down at the machinery that was caught in the dim glow of the pipbuck.
I... hadn't thought of what I would say to her... if I ever found her...
"Would you tell her of how you planned your escape? Of the things you had done to plot your little runaway? I find it odd that, even when you were on the surface, you still stuck around to kill off a town full of helpless ponies trying to survive the cold, harsh wasteland. Why did you not run then, father?"
"Shut up..."
"Did you need a little more target practice? Did you enjoy it?"
"I said shut up!" My rear hoof flared up to the point I could see bolts of the red current without turning around. She laughed.
"And now look at yourself. You are a wreck. Made up of flesh and machine, and infected twice over."
"What do you mean, 'twice over?'"
She wrapped a hoof around my shoulder and pulled me in close. "You think that this 'F-virus' is all that you have to worry about growing inside you? Have your good, undead friend Petiole take a closer look if you really wish to know the truth. But life is a lot easier with eyes closed." She smiled again, looking at me. Her muzzle was practically pressed up against mine. I wouldn't entirely be surprised if tentacles came out...
We got to the other side of the catwalk, and she let go of me to open a door ahead of us. It led to another hallway, similar to the one we were in earlier. I followed beside her as she continued on.
"What are your... kind... called?" I asked, glancing at her.
"We do not have a name, for one is not given to us but the names you desire." She kept her eyes focused on whatever was ahead of us.
"Like... White Noise?"
"The very same." She nodded. "My species is not of this world, as you may have gathered. But your kind became reckless, and a gate opened for us. Allowed us to seep in and grow here. Grow stronger."
"With the generator..." I muttered under my breath, to which she nodded. "Whose side are you on?" I asked, looking over.
"Sides are petty." She looked back at me. "Sides are for those who cannot fathom the idea of unity. Sides are what scorched the surface of your once lively little world and soured the soil your ancestors once walked. Sides are what turned the air they breathed to bitter toxins. We do not like the idea of 'sides.'"
We stopped at a door, to which she opened. We walked through to find ourselves back in the tunnel.
I quickly spun around while searching my E.F.S. There were still a few reds here and there; some closer than others, judging by how fast certain markers moved.
"Didn't really give me a straight answer..." I murmured, biting down on the grip to my rifle. It'd certainly be nice to see farther than what my pipbuck light offered.
She didn't reply, and that was starting to make me worry more than I already was...
Keep the suspense, why don't you?
Eventually, as we walked further into the tunnel, away from where I came, I looked over at her. "So, you're not gonn-" I froze for a few seconds before looking around at the wreckage around me. She was nowhere to be found...
A door creaked open behind me, and I spun around, ready to fire at the sound of a snarling feral. But at the sight, I took my mouth off the grip, feeling relief wash over me in one big wave.
"It's nice to see you alive and well, Charger." Petiole said, standing in the doorway. He held a feral by the neck as it hissed and snapped its jaw at me, trying to dig in. He calmly snapped its neck, and once it fell to the ground, he stomped its head in.
"I don't know about well, but I'm alive..." I muttered, looking up at him from the corpse.
He looked down at his victim, then back at me. "I hate ghouls..."


(((((((◉)))))))


"How did you find me?" I asked, stepping over a bunch of feral corpses as we made our way down the way he came in. The hall was packed with the dead, and the stench...
I quickly pulled out my pack of cigs and lit the end of one, but damn it, if that wasn't gonna do it...
I put the cig out after a few puffs and swallowed it with a shudder. It still tasted better than tentacles and the smell of rotting meat combined...
Petiole looked away from me with a sigh before speaking. "I tracked your pipbuck tag. Figured you were in trouble." He looked to me again. "Before I opened that door on you, I heard you talking to someone. But there was no one there. Are you alright?"
I shook my head and laughed. "Let's see... I got demons in my head, the taste of tentacle juice haunting my tongue, a fucked up series of decisions, and a permission slip to die in a year. I'd say I'm doing just peachy."
Petiole was silent for a moment before he spoke. In that time, we were starting to descend a flight of stairs with just as many bodies as the hall behind us.
"Fluky told me about what you did." He regarded me. "How you two first met."
I sighed and looked back at him. "Yep... I'm a real monster, aren't I?"
He didn't respond. Just stared quietly behind his visor.
I looked ahead and continued. "Guess I deserved getting infected with that virus. And everything else that's happened to me."
"Maybe. Maybe not. It's not my place to decide your judgement." He looked ahead finally.
I raised a brow and looked back at him, realizing something. "So Fluky told you? You hadn't already seen it in my memories?"
He shook his head. "No. My best guess is you were trying to block out what you had done."
I looked down and sighed. "Guess I could have handled my escape plan a lot better, huh?"
He nodded simply. "Definitely. But mistakes are made. Some worse than others. The world ended. That was a mistake. What you did was horrible, I won't deny that. But worse things have happened, Charger."
For a while, we walked down what felt like was going to be a never ending descent. I pulled out another cig and ate it to try and block out the awful scent of decay around us... Admittedly, it helped for about a minute or two.
"I'm starting to think you wanna die..." Petiole muttered, keeping his visor ahead.
"Hey, where are Para and Fluky anyways?" I asked abruptly, ignoring his statement intentionally.
"The unicorn mentioned that caravans used to go to Saddle for trades from the south, and that, according to the scouts and caravaneers of her home, the outsiders were coming from said trading town. A few miles or so away from the forest. Para and her are heading there now. We'll meet them there."
I smiled faintly, glad to hear nothing bad happened to them. The smile, however, was short lived. "So... are you sure it's a good idea for Para and her to be traveling together?"
He looked at me as we approached a metal door to the outside, judging by the light underneath.
"It's just... that talk we had last night... What if he ends up being dangerous?"
He looked at the door and cracked it open to take a peek. "When we get to this trading town, I'll do an analysis on him, if it makes you feel better."
I rubbed my hoof against the back of my armored head, to which he noticed. Well, no point in keeping quiet now...
"Can you do some tests on my blood when we're there as well...? I... need to know if there's anything else inside me..."
He nodded and looked back out through the crack. "Of course." With that, he swung the door open to reveal the outside. The land was coated in a sick smoke that tested my sight. Flakes of ash fell from the white, foggy skies, and the scent of burning wood mixed with the stench of rot.
"Your sad but true will bear witness..."
I looked behind me to see the glowing eyes of White Noise over the corpses of ferals at the top of the stairs, looking down at me.
> Channel 001.2; Catch Me If You Can
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Glad I'm in here, and not out there...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Petiole and I snuck through the foggy fields as rangers patrolled the area from the ground, as flying wasn't a very good idea in these conditions.
Looking back, the sky was red, and I couldn't see anything of the city anymore. Just the big, red glow that came from the fires.
Before I could turn and look ahead of me, I had bumped into Petiole, who had stopped in his tracks, looking ahead, as if he saw something. He quickly turned around and signaled me to go back. I did as he requested without question after seeing a red dot appear on my Eyes Forward Sparkle to the south; straight ahead. If we saw their markers, then they were bound to see ours too.
We backed up a good distance away until they vanished. Even then, we continued back north, until we came across two boulders close together. We got between them and sat.
"Okay, so what's the plan now?" I asked in a whisper, looking at him.
He shrugged.  "Sneaking through this without getting seen on their E.F.S. is next to impossible..."
I was about to ask how he knew they had them, but then I remembered... We had swapped memories. He knew everything I did about the Steel Rangers.
He continued. "I don't know how long the range is, but I can only hope they have the same radius as our pipbucks, if not shorter."
Okay, I guess he didn't know everything I did about the Steel Rangers.
I nodded to him and spoke. "The distance for an average suit of power armor reaches about 100 feet in all directions." I couldn't really account for Crimson's armor, though... Knowing his influence to the rangers, he probably had one of the best models that this chapter could get their hooves on.
Petiole nodded back and muttered. "Good. It's the same for our pipbucks." He coughed a little and put a hoof to his throat, groaning. "Damn it..."
I sighed, scanning the area via my E.F.S. We were alone for now. "Guess we're not getting any advantages there..."
"Guess not..." He said in a soft, raspy voice. "But they don't, either."
"We need to find another way out of this. And fast..."
I glanced back at the radio, but it was still shut off, despite the switch being flicked up. The light from the battery wasn't there, either. It had been that way ever since White Noise showed up. Looked like luck ran out...
I heard radio chatter in the distance from the rangers.
"Hostile visuals, E.F.S., 3 o' clock."
"Flank." I heard Crimson say through their channel. I didn't hear his voice around the area, so he must have been somewhere else. Another search grid, perhaps?
"Copy."
I quickly checked my E.F.S., but I didn't see any reds. They couldn't have been referring to us, could they...?
Petiole and I looked at each other in silence, not sure what to make of their orders.
Then there was an abrupt gunshot, causing us both to hit the ground as a bullet whizzed past. It struck the boulder next to us, showering us in powdery rock. Shortly after, a storm of lead joined in.
"We need to get out of here!" I shouted in a rushed tone, looking at him.
"How did they find us...?" He muttered as we lied there, getting covered in dust. I could just barely hear it over the one way firefight. "I thought their systems were the same as ours..."
"I dunno, but I'd rather not stop to ask them. Let's go!" I grabbed him by the hoof, and he pulled away immediately. I stopped and stared, and he stared back.
"What have I said about touching me?"
I shook my head at his response to my actions. We didn't have time for this right now...
"Then you're going to run."
He paused for a few seconds, then sighed as he climbed atop me.
"Good boy..." I stood up and raced for the west, as that seemed to be the better option. The east was moving away from our destination anyways.
Just as I started, I heard the rangers shouting to one another through the gunfire.
"What the fuck is that thing!?"
"Why isn't it dying!?"
Suddenly...
... Came the familiar roar from 32...
The beast.
One of the rangers started screaming in heart-struck fear. "AH, FUCK, NO! GET IT OFF OF ME! GET IT OFF! KILL IT! KILL IT!"
I looked back at Petiole as I kept running. "How did it survive?"
"Wanna go back and ask it?"
I looked ahead and kept running, keeping an eye out on my E.F.S. while listening to their chatter grow distant.
"You got something closing in on your six!"
More screaming.
"It's not going down!"
Less guns.
"Requesting heavy fire from the sky! I repeat, we need-AGH, SOMEPONY HEL-"
Stray rounds whizzed by.
We stopped behind a tree for some breath. We, as in me. I was the one doing all the leg work here!
I checked our surroundings via E.F.S., as the land around us was still smothered in a thick fog. We were still in the clear though. Well... figuratively speaking.
The screaming had gone silent, and not long after, did the guns.
What did remain, however, was the heavy footfalls of the beast as it trekked the fields. Thankfully, it sounded like it was getting farther away. I had already fought that thing once. Another battle with it would be too soon. We didn't even have the ammo to take it on again.
I set Petiole down - which my back was thankful for - faced a compass bearing of southwest, and began walking. Petiole walked beside me as we kept our eyes peeled.
"I guess we failed at keeping the virus off the surface..." I whispered as we made our way through the silent, cloaked land.
"I think it was inevitable by the time we set the reactor off."
"You're probably right..."
We walked for about five minutes in the same direction, keeping our eyes and ears open. Something I had noticed was that Petiole's armor wasn't glowing anymore. At first, I thought it was from the light of the outside that made it look like it wasn't lit up, but after closer inspection, when we went through the shade of a few trees that were huddled up together, I realized the lights were off completely.
We stopped under the shade of the trees and checked our surroundings once again to see if the coast was clear. My E.F.S. came up blank, with the exception of my traveling companion.
We both hunkered down at the trunk of a tree.
"Where do we go now?" I asked, looking at Petiole.
"Like I said earlier, Fluky said that the town is due south."
"Yeah, okay... but south where?"
He stared silently, and I groaned.
"When do we start heading south?"
"You're asking a pony who's been locked away in the ground for two centuries." He stated matter of factly. "I'm inexperienced with the geography."
"Ugh, fine..." I looked around, but all I could see was white. Stupid fog... smoke... whatever. "I think we should head west just a little bit more, until we can find where we started off, before the rangers started chasing me."
He nodded, and together, we stood up and started west.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A strangely familiar voice said from behind. Where have I heard that voice before...?
I spun around, gun swinging out in front of me. I bit down on the grip, looking around, before I finally realized who owned that voice. I lowered my guard and continued to look around, but I didn't see him anywhere.
"Hey, where are you?" I asked, adjusting my helmet a bit. It went crooked a little when I swung around.
The leaves in the tree rustled a bit before I heard a thud on the ground. Something started to approach, causing me to raise my guard just a little.
Then a griffin materialized before us. Straight out of thin air.
"Sup." He said, looking at me with a blank expression. He turned to the armored ghoul, who remained silent as he stared back. "And you must be Petiole."
"Who are you?"
"I've been watching your good friend Charger here for some time now."
I turned to Petiole, who was now regarding me. "He saved me earlier, a little before I came across your stable." I turned back to the griffin after I received a silent nod from Petiole. "Still didn't get his name..."
"Rivet."
Huh... Easy to get out of him that time.
"Why should we not head west?" Petiole asked.
Rivet turned to him. "Because Charger's hunter is camped out there..." He regarded me. "And you should know he's not alone. He's spending a great deal of caps to catching you. Dead, or alive... It doesn't matter. Though, he prefers alive."
"Who's he hiring?"
"Mercs, mostly. But he's gone as far as gathering some of the local raiders that haven't gone completely crazy, and has hired them too. It appears that Fester and your chapter have made allies with one another..."
"And you know this...?" Petiole began.
"Been keeping tabs on both of them."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Griffins are known for doing mercenary work..."
He looked back at me with a faint smile. "It's true. I'm a merc. And yes. I've been hired to find you. But unlike the other mercs, I've also been hired to keep you safe and away from both Fester and the rangers. Not just your chapter, but all chapters."
"Who has your contract?" I asked, keeping my eyes locked on his as I was ready to bite down on the grip once more and fire. I couldn't tell if he was actually hostile or not... My E.F.S. said he wasn't, but I didn't know if I could trust that.
"They've asked me to keep that confidential. But they don't want any harm to come to you or your friends." He pulled out three rarities from a bush that I never thought I'd see out here. It's been a long time...
Stealthbucks.
"We're gonna need this for the trip ahead. I have one for each of us, but we'll need to move quickly. There's a lot of rangers ahead, out for your head. Not to mention the raiders."
"One and the same." I muttered with a flat look. "Where are we going?"
"I'm taking you to the trading town that the filly informed Petiole about. Her and Para are already there, and they're safe, waiting for you."
"No time to lose." Petiole said as he connected the device to his pipbuck.
I shook my head quickly as my hoof started to crackle softly. "No. Not yet." I looked back at Rivet. "I need to know what Crimson did to my mother. I need to know why."
Rivet stared for a few seconds, before shaking his head. "No. You don't. I need you alive, and if you go to him, he will kill you. Slowly. Anything you find out is only going to hurt more."
"You say you've been keeping tabs on him." I stated, glaring at him. "So surely you know something about this. What did he do?"
"I don't know." He glared back. "I don't know what he did. So quit asking. It's not important." He proceeded to tie a rope around my barrel, and then Petiole's, and then his own. It was to keep us from separating. Smart move. "Activate that stealthbuck, and let's go." With that, he started equipping his own to his pipbuck; a steel grey bracelet with amber text. Where did he get one? Griffins weren't generally stable dwellers... Also, why didn't he have one earlier?
I grudgingly connected the stealthbuck to my pipbuck, and on the count of three, we simultaneously activated them, and we, along with the rope tied to the three of us, vanished. I felt it tug forward a bit, and so I started walking. Petiole must have been following close behind, because I didn't feel any pull behind me.
Rivet hadn't been joking about the raiders and the Steel Rangers working together to hunt us down. There were camps set up all across the field. Not to mention the patrols...
I had noticed that my E.F.S. didn't register Rivet or Petiole being in the area, as there were no blips. A crap ton of reds... but no blues.
A lot of the raiders and rangers didn't seem to be getting along with each other too well. One side was making snide comments about shooting them down, while the other just thought of themselves as more sophisticated and powerful, which came to the conclusion of more snide comments about shooting the others down. The rangers had always thought of themselves as the master race. That earth ponies were meant to have everything...
They were on the same side, and yet they still couldn't work together. Maybe White Noise was onto something... Sides were a mistake!
It was a shocker that neither were shooting at each other already. They clearly hated each other, and definitely hated the idea of working together to take me, a common enemy, down.
We passed by a shanty house that was built in the middle of the field. As we did, the door swung open, and a raider stumbled out, holding a bottle of Wild Pegasus whiskey in her magic, chugging away at the contents.
I was so tempted on taking that for myself...
I almost reached for it, but that momentary pause sent Rivet yanking on the rope. Despite the surprise, I remained inaudible.
A Steel Ranger stepped out after her, fully equipped in their armor. "Don't get too shitfaced." That voice... "We need to stay sober, in case he turns up."
Firebright...
I stopped dead in my tracks again and stared at her as she stood in the doorway, observing the area.
"Go lick my cunt!" The raider shouted back in annoyance as she flicked her tail at her, revealing her marehood. It looked used up... and the stench that came with it...
I shivered at the scent and closed my eyes.
"You first. Fuckin' unicorns..." I looked back at my sister to see her shake her head. She went back inside after.
Petiole's head rammed into my rear, catching me off guard... and blushing a little.
Rivet tugged on the rope again, pulling me forward once more. I shook my head and moved onward, to which Petiole followed behind.
Before we even passed the shack entirely, the griffin flashed into existence before me. Turning around, there was Petiole, looking back at the two of us.
Fuck...
"Down!" Rivet hissed in a whisper as he lied down on his stomach.
The two of us hit the ground and followed as we crawled through the field. It wasn't as populated here as it seemed farther off to the north, towards the tunnel. But there were still far more problems here than I knew what to do with.
It was only a matter of time before the rangers saw the three blips on their E.F.S., but as far as I knew, the raiders didn't have any.
I sure hoped they didn't...
We quickly crawled to the next shack over, and making our way to the side, we came across a crawlspace that led underneath the structure. There were three hostiles in the building, but we needed to hide...
So we moved in and lied still, looking up through the floorboards as they creaked continuously.
The springs of a worn bed creaked too.
And there was the paced slapping I was all too familiar with...
And moaning...
I sure had quite the view...
Sweat had managed to slip through the cracks of the wooden floor and splatter on my helmet's visor.
Ball sweat...
Oh, damn it... gross...
"That all you got!?" A raspy female voice spoke, to which I heard the male punch her. Hard, by the sound of it. He continued fucking her as she groaned, then laughed.
"Don't fucking talk... Or I'll chain you up again..."
She continued to chuckle under her shaky breaths, and spoke in increments, between each thrust. "Fuck... that's the spot..."
He punched her again. "Shut up, bitch!"
Rivet rolled his eyes as he looked away, then turned to me. "Stay quiet." He whispered ever-so-softly. I could barely hear him over the action happening above us.
I nodded and passed it down the line, to which Petiole nodded back.
For a while, all we heard were the wet slaps and moans from the pair. There was no way ahead, as the crawl space ended.
Suddenly, I heard the door swing open, but they kept going at it.
"Ah fuck, yer at it again!?" Another raider stepped in. "I told you to stop messin' with momma!"
"Fuck off, mate." He replied between pants. "Her pussy's been begging fer a beatin'."
"Will ya cut that out?" He asked, annoyed. "We're s'posed to be on lookout fer that dipshit... Charbroil, er whatever the fuck his name is. I dun wanna miss out on 'em caps."
Charbroil, seriously? Fuckers...
"Yeah, yeah... Piss off. I'll be out later. Gotta impregnate this bitch first."
"You'll be an uncle... and have a little brother!" She said, still moaning as she looked at the raider in the doorway.
Another punch was delivered to her. "I said shut it!"
The third party groaned in disgust and stormed out. "Can't believe he's my brother..."
Oh. Incest. Fun.
Firebright would fit in well here.
Hell, she was right next door!
Another set of hooves stepped in. These ones were a lot heavier than the previous.
"What the fuck are you two doing?" Firebright asked in a stern tone.
Speak of the devil...
"What's it... hah... fuck... what's it look like...?" The mare said behind her moans. "Ah fuck, I'm gettin' close!"
Firebright sighed and shook her head as she watched her orgasm, but after she finished, her son kept going.
"When you two freaks are done, I'm sending you off to the tunnel. If he died in there, we want a team to go in and retrieve the anomaly. You both just drew the short straw."
Then she looked down at the floorboards.
Down at me...
For a moment, I thought that was it. That we were goners. I readied my rifle.
But that didn't seem to be the case. Instead, she turned and left the building quietly.
We waited until Rivet turned to me, holding up a talon. Three claws pointed up. Then two.
Wait...
One...
Shit, what was he doing...?
He cut the rope around his waist and burst up through the floorboards, taking the stallion down off his mother and digging his claws deep into his neck, only to rip out his vocals.
The mare scrambled off the bed, reaching out for a pistol on the table in the corner of the room. Rivet grabbed her and put a talon over her muzzle, forcing her mouth to stay shut.
"Scream, and I'll rip out your tongue and eat it." He said in a whisper as Petiole and I stepped out of the crawlspace. I undid the rope around my waist and went to undo his, but he pushed me away. Shortly after staring at me silently, he started doing it himself.
Right... No touching...
The mare looked at me and smiled as best she could behind his restraint.
"You gonna shout?" Rivet whispered into her ear. I noticed it was clipped by a bullet.
She chuckled softly and shook her head.
"I don't believe you."
And with that, he tore into her neck, causing her to gag as she choked and bled out. He let go, and she fell to the floor as she struggled to hold on to life.
"What did you do that for?" I asked, looking back up at him as I witnessed her final moments. Her eyes had grown distant as she looked up at the ceiling. "We needed her."
"No. We didn't." Rivet replied, wiping his talons clean of the blood he shed with a dirty rag. "If you think raiders care about their own kind being used as hostages, than you're mistaken."
"Oh, CHAAAAARGER!" Crimson shouted from outside the building. My body tensed up to his voice, and Petiole's LEDs flashed red.
"Fuck!" I sat on my haunches, trying to think of a way out of here before he came in.
"Come on out, give me the anomaly, and I'll only hurt you a little! Your friends can go free, so long as they can escape the raiders! I'll even give your buddies a head start! How does five seconds sound?"
Fuck no.
I pulled the radio from my pouch and tried the power switch. When it didn't turn on, I started slamming the device against the corner of the table.
"Wake up, damn it!"
"What are you doing?" Petiole asked, regarding me.
"Trying to get some help..." I continued shaking the machine. "Come on, Tuner..."
"Tuner?" Petiole tilted his head.
"I think I can fly us out of here..." Rivet said quietly, looking up at the ceiling.
I remembered what Crimson had said about my mother, and what he did. I stopped trying to wake Tuner, and stared at the door. My hoof started crackling with electricity.
"No." I slipped the radio back in my pouch.
Guns started loading up on the other side.
"What?" Rivet gave me a concerned look.
"Don't keep us waiting, Charger!" Crimson shouted.
"I need answers..."
Rivet rolled his eyes, then stared me down. "Damn it, right now isn't the time for this!" He shook his head and turned around. "Get on my back. We're getting out of here. I'm supposed to bring you back alive."
"Again with the backs..." Petiole muttered. "Can't you just carry me?"
It came to my attention that he didn't have the megaspell cannons on anymore. These new guns were more like harpoon guns.
"Why did you kill her!?" I called out. There was a brief moment of silence.
"Charger, what are you doing...?" Rivet stepped closer. "We don't have time for games..."
"You mean your mother." Crimson scoffed. "Now, that makes for an interesting story..."
"Tell me!"
"I'll tell you, if you give me that anomaly first."
"Ah, what are ya waitin' fer!?" An unfamiliar voice of a mare asked. Presumably one of the raiders. It became evident that some of them had a weird accent to them. "Jus' blas' 'em already n' be done with it!"
I caught a faint blue glow from the battery in the corner of my eye.
"Sir..."
I looked through a crack in the doorway to see a Steel Ranger stepping up to Crimson, who had his missile launcher locked on to the shack. Several other rangers and raiders stood around; guns locked on and ready to fire. Judging by the amount of reds on my E.F.S., they had the entire place surrounded.
"What is it?" Crimson said quietly, looking down at the ranger before him. Even looking at him was intimidating... His armor was bigger than the average models, and the average models were bigger and bulkier than a pony in the flesh! He was nothing short of a giant to me!
He didn't sound too happy being interrupted, either...
"Hostile sightings coming in from the east."
"How many?"
"Just one, but it could be what took out our patrols..."
"Deal with it. I'm busy with something else at the moment." He signaled the others around him to leave and go take care of the situation due east. "Take some of the raiders with."
"Oh, come on!" One of the raiders shouted, pointing a hoof at him. "You're not Fester! I'm not listening to your orders! Just cause your leader is agreeing to a truce with ours doesn't mean I have to listen to you! I say we go in and take them all!" The raider started pointing at the shack, then looked around at his friends. "Fuck them all, eat them when we're done!"
Some of the raiders in the area laughed and cheered at the idea.
"You're right about one thing." Crimson said calmly, turning to the raider finally. "I'm not Fester. But I'm sure he'll be okay with me killing an insubordinate."
The raider armed up and grinned behind his pistol.
And Para was complaining about me not brushing my teeth... Ew. Just... Ew. At least mine were white... and were all there... and straight!
"Bring it!" A raider shouted.
"Raiders and Steel Rangers..." Tuner said softly, followed by a yawn. "One and the same. Don't even have to mix letters around too much to get raiders and Steel Raiders. Hang in there, Charger. Got a surprise coming your way."
Crimson looked over at that exact moment, as if he had just heard Tuner. "THAT'S IT! I'M COMING I-"
Ping!
He froze and stared at the raider that had just pulled the trigger. The bullet had bounced off his head.
Fire, who stood beside him, readied arm and aimed at the raider, while the others aimed at the two. Some of the rangers that were headed back to take care of the beast from 32 saw what was going down and went back to the stand off, taking aim.
"Drop your weapons!" Fire demanded.
"Suck my dick!"
In an instant, the raider became no more than a red, glowing pile of ash.
Not even a second later, bullets flew one way, while lasers flew the opposite direction; both of which struck the other side. The rangers were holding them off better, considering the superior defense they wore. The raiders were dropping like flies.
"Okay, now is a great time for us to go!" Rivet blurted.
I kept watching the fight. Hoping that maybe one of the raiders would get lucky and kill either Firebright or CrimsonThunder. That maybe one of the raiders would get even luckier and manage to kill both. I needed them dead...
For a short while, Crimson was getting caught up on blasting the raiders with his missile launcher. His 50 cal. must have still been broken since our last encounter.
But then Rivet had spoken, and Crimson turned back to the shack, even when bullets bounced off his frame. The launcher reloaded and aimed at the shelter...
... And out came the missiles.
I ran back, tackling the griffin to the ground. Petiole was on the bottom of the dog pile, groaning in pain.
One second was all it took before the entire front half of the shack became splintering, fiery pieces of wood that rushed over us in a wave. Had it not been for my armor, I would have probably faced some serious cuts, if not burns. And since I was on top, I probably helped keep the other two safe.
My ears were ringing... Everything became muffled. Rivet was screaming something, but I couldn't understand it.
I rolled off of them and witnessed the red electricity flowing through my hoof. Crimson had his launcher aimed down at me as he stood where a doorway once was. The fight was still going on behind him. I couldn't tell which one Firebright was, but none of them seemed too interested in what was happening over here. They were all too busy taking out the raiders.
I rubbed my ears and shook myself out of the confusion before looking up at Crimson. Sound was coming back.
"The anomaly, Charger. Where is it?"
"Check up your ass." I backed up, still lying on the ground. Getting up didn't feel like a good idea at this time... "Maybe if you reach far enough, you can pull your head out of there, too."
He chuckled softly. "Looks like we have a comedian. Now, about that anomaly..." His missile launcher clicked, and he looked over. "What the...?"
Suddenly, a laugh track roared through the radio speakers, causing the party of three around me to look at it. Rivet and Petiole were just now lifting themselves off the ground.
"Now I see..." Crimson stepped forward. "Give me that radio, Charger. Or I'm going to kill your friends, and then I'm going to kill you."
"Not if I kill you first!" And with that, I slammed my electric-charged hoof against his chest, causing his armor to seize up immediately after the thunderous boom of my buck. His auditory systems went in and out as he screamed. Once second, they were amplified, and the next, they were muffled as the charge traveled through his body. Smoke emerged from the armor by the time the current was gone, and his rigid form fell to one side.
I got up and attempted removing his helmet, but it appeared to be stuck to his head.
"Come on..." I muttered behind clenched teeth. I needed answers, and he wasn't going to give them away willingly. Once I got those answers, I was going to kill him...
Some of the rangers, along with the raiders, noticed me trying to remove the helmet.
"Save the Star Paladin!" One of the rangers shouted as they turned their guns on me, shooting bolts of red laser our way. I ducked behind his bulky armor as they shot at us. My hoof was already starting to gain another charge.
"Come on, boys!" One of the raiders cheered. "Let's get that bounty! Drinks are on me!"
The two sides had the same goal, but a different motive.
I looked back down at Crimson, glaring. "Why did you kill my mother? What was her name? Who was my father? ANSWER!"
"Go ask your sister..." He replied with a pained chuckle. "I think that voltage was just what I needed... My sinuses are cleared."
"I'm done with you..." I turned away and sent another buck to his system, therefore frying it. Even through the gunfire, I could hear his muffled screams. I made my way for the rear of the shack, where Rivet took cover behind furniture. Petiole was standing out in the open, absorbing the incoming shots without even a flinch. He didn't seem to be affected by the rounds.
Rivet fired back with well placed harpoon shots. Unfortunately, he was only able to fire two total, before going back behind cover to reload.
The way we came in wasn't an option, cause my E.F.S. gave me a crap ton of red blips standing out there, guns blazing.
I jumped behind the turned over table that Rivet ducked behind.
"Glad you got that out of the way." He said with a glare in my direction. "Can we go now?"
I looked back at the firing squad to see all the rangers, with the exception of one, were firing at us. I turned back to him.
"Guess so. Petiole!" I turned and looked over at the armored ghoul. "What the hell are you doing out there?"
"I'll explain later." He said calmly as a bullet struck the side of his head. It didn't phase him in the slightest. "You two keep thinking of a way out of here."
Rivet glanced down at my hoof and smiled faintly. "Any chance you can use that?"
I looked down to see the electricity flowing again. I felt a smile growing on my features before I gave a quick nod. Still hiding behind the cover of the table, which wasn't going to last much longer, I lied on my back and gave the wall of the shack a nice, hard buck. At once, with the boom of thunder, large chunks of wood flew out, leaving a nice big hole for us. The shack was originally surrounded, but the firefight between the two sides drew them toward the front, like a bunch of idiots.
"Great!" Rivet spread his wings. "Get on!"
I jumped on, and shortly after, Petiole came to us.
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, CHARGER!" Crimson yelled behind his helmet; his voice strained and muffled from the failed systems. "YOU CAN'T RUN FOREVER!"
I looked back with a pained smirk. "If there's one thing that'll kill me, it's the demon called Time." I gave him a wink, and at once, we were out of there. Bullets shot up at us, but they were no match for Rivet's flying. I had no doubts he dealt with this sort of thing before. I on the other hoof, wasn't used to this...
There was a sudden roar, and looking down, I witnessed the beast ready to expand its mass as it took on the two sides. All firepower was diverted from us and focused on the monster, but I hadn't even been able to take it on with one of the virus' main weaknesses. They weren't going to stand a chance.
"Hang on tight!" Rivet shouted as he flapped harder. "We'll be at Virtue in 30!"


(((((((◉)))))))


We came in for a landing on the mud-covered streets of Virtue. There were very few pegasi, but what little I did see took the role of security and lookout on rooftops. Some of the unicorns helped supply wagons with medical supplies and ammo, while the others sat behind booths, bartering with passerbyers. Earth ponies rolled the wagons out once they were given the all-clear.
Earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi... working together... I wish the bunker was like that...
"Great. We're here." Rivet spoke in clear annoyance as he let go of Petiole. "Now get the hell off my back. You're both heavy. Especially the metal one." He glared at the two of us as he rubbed his arms. I hopped off his back, and he eye'd Petiole's bags. "Why the hell do you need four sets of saddle bags? If you're looking to become a caravaneer, get a wagon like everyone else."
"A lot of this is important research." Petiole stated, pointing at the bags closest to his flank. "I needed to take it with me before I left the stable. Otherwise it would be forgotten."
Rivet rolled his eyes and regarded me as I looked around the town, as if he knew a question was coming up.
And there was.
"What's going on around here?" I looked back at him.
He sighed as he put his talon over his eyes. "Hoofington is going through the grinder at the moment. Some big war or something. I don't know. I don't care. I'm not getting paid for whatever bullshit happens in Hoofington. Only for what happens in Vanhoover."
Wait... didn't Tuner mention something about a war happening in Hoofington...?
"But... what's this all have to do with the heavy shipments?"
"Virtue wants to participate in helping the residents of Hoofington, so they're sending a bunch of supplies over in hopes that it'll help them. It's a lost cause, if you ask me. A waste of both time and resources."
"But... that's a long way from here, isn't it?"
"They're not going all the way there, you idiot!" Rivet shouted. "They're just getting it to the train station. The train will do the rest of the work..." He paused and looked down, frowning. "... Assuming Fester doesn't intervene and steal the supplies. Again. Like I said... lost cause."
"Who is this... Fester you keep mentioning?" Petiole asked as I observed the loading of a wagon.
"He's the leader of a community of raiders, like the ones back north."
I lost track of their conversation as I watched a yellow coated unicorn mare lift a crate of potions up into the wagon with ease.
Wow... unicorns were allowed to use their magic here...
Her pale blue eyes came across mine, and she smiled, waved, and went back to work.
"CHARGER!" Rivet shouted, causing me to jump. I looked back at him.
"Yeah?"
"Don't make me repeat myself. I hate repeating myself." He softened his glare a bit and sighed. "The rest of your party is in the motel. Just ask for them at the front desk. I have to go warn Omegas about the threat due north."
Petiole spun his head toward Rivet, and took a step forward. "Omegas?"
Rivet looked back. "Yes, that's right. He's mentioned you a few times. Sounds like you two have a lot of catching up to do."
I looked over at Petiole. "Go and meet up with him. I'll check on Para and Flukes."
He nodded, and we parted ways.
All the buildings here were constructed after the war. Made up of metal scraps and wooden planks. The outskirts of Virtue revealed to me that this town was once built on a field of grass until it became mud, just off the side of a highway.
The horizon burnt in the distance with that warm, yet hostile glow. Ash still snowed down on us, and the fog was still thick, but it was a lot better than what it was, over at the raider camp.
I couldn't believe that Bristle had agreed to a truce with Fester... They had been at each other's throats for years, and now that I was the target, they were working together... I never thought in a million years that the two sides would join forces. Much less because of me.
Tuner was right, though. The two sides were one and the same.
I stopped at the edge of the town and looked to my left to see the motel that Rivet had mentioned. Virtue wasn't exactly a big place, so it was hard to get lost here.
I stepped in through the front door of the office and stood at the counter, looking over. I didn't see anyone here.
There was a bell at the counter, but the last thing I wanted to do was ring it. Para's insistent bell ringing was still a burden on my brain cells. A part of me could still hear him slamming his hoof down on it repeatedly. Ugh...
"Hello?" I called out as I tapped my forehoof on the surface of the counter.
"Agh!" A voice screamed from the room behind the counter; the door to it ajar. Shortly following that was the tumble of books.
Um... Sorry...?
I took the helmet off, as it wasn't needed, and my mane was getting itchy, trapped in there.
A few seconds went by, and the door creaked open. A black coated unicorn stallion poked his head out before adjusting his glasses and looking at me. His cutiemark consisted of three books stacked atop each other.
"O-oh! A new customer!" He smiled nervously and stepped out, closing the door behind him.
"Is... everything alright back there?" I raised a brow as I glanced at the door behind him.
"Oh, yes... Just caught me at a... bad time." His nervous smile became a nervous grin as he blushed. He quickly looked over the book that contained his customer's names and what rooms they ordered at what times. "Let's see... I'm afraid the uh... heh..." I caught him glancing over my form behind his glasses. "... Afraid the lover suite is taken, in case you were looking for some mid-afternoon action with your special somepony."
"Subtle much?" I raised my brow again, smirking. His cheeks became a darker shade of red, and he looked down at the log.
"S-sorry. Just... Heh... Sorry..." He brushed the black mane from his red eyes and adjusted his glasses again. "Let's start over." He reached out a hoof. "Hi. You're cute. My name is Shadow Hoof. Wanna go out? What's your name?" He paused, wide-eye'd. "Goodness! Did I say that out loud? I am so sorry... I'm... heh..." His shoulders slumped as his crimson eyes looked down at the log book. "Fuck my sideways with a shotgun barrel..."
I laughed softly and put my hoof over his, catching him by surprise. "My name is Charger. You're not too bad looking yourself."
His smile returned. "T-thank you! I thought I fucked that one up royally..."
I brought my hoof back. "It's all good, Shadow Hoof. No worries."
He nodded with a smile. "So, what can I do ya for? Looking for a room, orrrr..." He paused and 'discretely' opened a book behind the counter, reading quickly. He looked back up at me with a seductive grin... Or... I think it was a seductive grin. "Are you looking for some action under the sheets?"
...
... Oh goddesses... Did he really just say that...?
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "I'm looking for someone."
He froze, and I heard a book slam, followed by the clearing of his throat. "Right... Ahem... Who are you looking for?" He stood straight, looking into my eyes with a dying hope.
"A stallion named Para with a filly named Fluky. White coat, impossibly bright teeth. Possibly blinding to look at. Golden eyes, brown mane. Wears a hat. Seen anyone like that?"
"Oh. Yes. They arrived just a little bit ago. Might I asked why you're looking for them?"
"I was traveling with them, but we got split up during an ambush. I came here with Rivet."
"Wait... you came here with Rivet?" He balked. "So you're... oh my..." He grinned. "You are a great deal of importance to the NCR."
"The NCR?" I stared in confusion. "But I never even met them before."
"I don't exactly know the details, but Rivet was hired by the New Canterlot Republic to protect you and your friends. You're big news to them. Maybe you have an idea why?"
I knew why. And it wasn't me that was big news. It was what I carried... and that made me a target...
Still, I shook my head. "Can't think of a reason why."
"Hm..." He looked down at the log. "Well, your friends are in room 18." A black aura grew around a single key on the wall behind him. It levitated forward and was set down gently on the counter. "Feel free to stay as long as you like. All expenses have been paid for, courtesy of the NCR." He smiled proudly, and I smiled back with a quick nod of my head.
I took the key in my mouth and started for the exit.
Then, he spoke again.
"My, what a big gun you have! Maybe you can take me somewhere private and let me play with-no, that doesn't work... Maybe you can take me around back and shoot m-oof, that's even worse... Let it go off in my hair? Fuck, this one's a wreck..."
I chuckled behind the key and looked back at him with a wry smile. "You know, you don't need to try and pick someone up with flirty quotes." And horrible ones, at that. "Just go with the flow, and see where life takes you." I gave him a wink, making him blush again, before turning and heading back out the door.
Door 18 was at the far end of the building, respectively. When I got there, I pressed my ear to the door. I didn't hear anything inside... Odd... And somewhat alarming, too.
I inserted the key, turned it, and pushed the door open gently. It was dark inside, but the luminescence of the outside seeped in. Through the dim lighting, I saw Para sitting in a chair, facing me. His hat was pushed forward a bit; the brim hiding his eyes. There was a faint smile on his face.
"Hello again, Charger."
... Okay, was it alarming that he actually got my name right for once? Or was that just me? And his voice was different... deeper...
He tilted his hat back to look at me, keeping that smile. His little buddy sat at his side, on the armrest of the chair.
"Happy." I stepped in, closing the door behind me.
He nodded, and his smile widened. "So you figured it out."
"Is this the part where you kill me?"
He shook his head. "Why would I do such a thing?"
"Because it's what you do."
He picked up his little buddy and set her on his lap, petting her as if she were a real rabbit. "You and I are a lot alike. We both seek to rid other ponies of their misery. I could definitely use the help of a pony that understands me. You and I are not murderers. We are saviors."
"I'm nothing like you." I glared.
"Of course you're nothing like him." A voice said through the radio. One that didn't belong to Tuner. This one was more scratchy and gruff. "You only kill other ponies for your own benefit. Happy does it to help others, but you're just in it for yourself. How greedy of you."
I looked back at the radio. "Who the hell are you?"
"Ugh..." I turned back to him to see Happy rolling his eyes; his smile disappearing. "There he goes again... Always complaining..."
"Where's Fluky?"
"Out there somewhere, helping the townsfolk with the deliveries for the big light show in Hoofington." He grinned again. "She's such a precious little thing."
"Sorry fucker won't even lay a harming hoof on her, and she's suffered a lot, no thanks to you!" The radio bickered.
"Who. Are. You?" I reiterated, glaring at the machine.
"According to Tuner, I'm four. The one that tore into gore. And if it were up to me, I'd have snapped that fillies' neck long ago. And then fed her body into a grinder, just for the fun of it. She's annoying."
"No, you're annoying!" Happy glared, but then calmed himself with some steady breathing. "It's a relief you don't have a body anymore." He put the bunny back on the armrest as he deadpanned. Shortly after, he stood up and calmly approached. "Thank you, Charger."
"For what?" I would have backed up more, but my flank was already pressed up against the door.
"For bringing the battery back to me."
"Why do you want it? Way I see it, if you have it, Para comes back."
He stopped before me and put a hoof under my chin, looking me in the eye with a relaxed smile. "It's true. I have to be stuck in that dreadful prison, while he goes around playing dumb. But it will all be worth it in the end."
"Why? What happens in the end?"
He moved closer; his muzzle pressing against mine as he gazed into my eyes. He whispered his answer.
"I win."
And with that, he snatched the radio from me, hugged it tight, and closed his eyes. After a few seconds had passed, he blinked a few times, then looked up at me and smiled. "Oh, hey!" He hugged me tight, as if nothing had just happened. He spoke in Para's voice. "How was the firework display?"
Firework display...?
"Uh... it was great, Para." I hugged him back. "How are you feeling?"
"Kinda... tired, actually. I must have passed out again. Been happening a lot more than I'd like..." He pulled back a bit, and his ears were folded back for a few seconds before they perked up. "I'm glad to see you again, though." He smiled as he took my security helmet, tossing it on the bed. "You look tired, yourself."
Then he got down and started undoing my armor.
"You should lie down and rest."
"Much as I like you undressing me, I still have things I need to do." Still, he kept at it until all my armor was removed and displayed along the floor.
"At least rest a bit, before you do anything else." He stuffed the radio in his jacket pocket and nuzzled my neck with affection I hadn't felt in a very long time...
I rolled my eyes and sighed, smiling faintly. "Alright, alright... I'll take a short nap."
I pushed the helmet off the bed and lied down, looking up at the ceiling before closing my eyes.
I lied there for about an hour, stuck with the same intrusive thought.
Why was my mother executed? What was her name? What did she look like? How did her voice sound?
All I got was Crimson's 'ask your sister.'
Ask Firebright...
That was about as possible as Para's wings growing back.
... Which, now that I thought about it, wasn't entirely impossible. All he'd need to do is bathe in radioactive waste, and then they'd grow back... maybe. Assuming he didn't die first, or turn into a ghoul. Even then, if he did get his wings back, he'd probably end up growing other appendages as well.
I let out a soft sigh and opened my eyes, staring at the worn out ceiling. "Ask Firebright..." I muttered to myself, before rolling over on my side.
"Hey, you alright?" Para asked, trotting over. He put a hoof on my head, gently petting my mane.
"Eh..." That was all I could get out at the moment...
I felt numb.
I didn't want to move, talk, or think. I didn't want to be alive, nor dead. I didn't want to be... anything.
"You should have a candy cane. Candy canes always make me feel better."
I heard the door open, followed by a set of hooves along the floor.
"Is he asleep?" Petiole asked.
"I'm awake." I replied, keeping my back turned to the two.
"I need DNA samples off you... and purge you of radiation, if needed. There's no saying how much of a dosage you got back at 32."
"Fine." I rolled off the bed and landed on all fours before walking over to him, looking down. "Let's get it over with."
Petiole turned to Para. "I'll need to do an analysis on you after."
"Awwwww..." Para pouted. "But I hate tests!"
"Don't think of it as a test then." With that, he turned around and made his way out of the building. Reluctantly, I followed behind.
Ponies rushed around, helping with the shipments of medical supplies and ammunition, as if the fight at Hoofington relied solely on their deliveries. It was nice that they were lending out a helping hoof in terms of supplies. Their business must have gone down by a landslide when Saddle was eliminated. They didn't seem too upset about it, though.
I wondered if they knew who was behind it.
"So..." I started. "How was your talk with Omegas?"
"It went fine." A pony dressed in a brown duster and a full head helmet trotted up to us. The visor glowed red, and his chest was armored. His voice, though... Now that was what I expected a ghoul to sound like. The type of voice that belonged to a 50 year old chain smoker that never knew when enough was enough. "You must be Charger." He regarded me through his NCR gear. I recognized that armor. The Steel Rangers were still at war with them, I think. And now the NCR wanted me. "I've been hearing a lot about you."
"I'm sure you have..." I muttered, looking away. "So, you're from Stable 32."
"I am." There was a brief pause before he resumed. "Petiole told me about how you and him destroyed it."
"I'm afraid we'll have to cut the conversation short." Petiole spoke abruptly as he stopped walking, staring at Omegas. "I have important business with Charger. Important, confidential business. Then, I'll take care of my business with you, ghoul."
Oh dear...
Omegas went silent for several long moments, before turning to me and reaching out a hoof. "It was nice to finally meet you, Charger."
We shook hooves, and he silently walked off. Petiole stared me down behind his visor.
"What?"
He shook his head and pointed to a canvas tent. "In."
With a roll of my eyes, I walked in. He followed close behind and zipped the flaps closed once we were both inside. In the center of the room was a stretcher, and around it were two surgical tables and an I.V. stand. Thankfully, I wasn't seeing any surgical equipment lying around. Most of what I was seeing were packets of Radaway and plastic, cylinder containers with orange caps.
And a metal bucket, for some reason.
"Lie down."
I did as he asked after making sure there wasn't anything that was going to keep me tied down, like last time.
I looked up at the ceiling quietly as he took out a syringe, cleaned an area on my arm with rubbing alcohol, and drew some blood. Again, it didn't hurt much. Kinda made me laugh a bit, actually. It tickled.
"So are you going to tell me why you were standing in the middle of a shootout?" I asked.
"I was buying you and Rivet time."
"By being a distraction."
"Exactly."
I stared at him flatly, but he went on.
"My armor changes when exposed to certain elements. Exposed to natural light, I have the defense of a tank. In darkness, I'm resistant to magical elements, but it loses the defense against anything that isn't magical. There's still so much more about Tungstian we don't know about yet."
When he was done with the blood sample, he removed the needle from the rest of the syringe and stuffed it in a plastic bag, which he placed on the surgical table next to us.
"I'll need a urine sample, too." He said, taking a quick peek at my pipbuck. "Radiation levels are really low. No need for a Radaway just yet."
I looked over, and despite my mouth opening, nothing came out.
"I'll give you your privacy, of course. But before I do..." He opened one of the cylinder capsules. "I'll need you to spit in this. I'm thorough, and if you think you might have something else in there apart from the F-virus, I need to be sure."
I nodded in agreement, pooled up some saliva, and released it into the container. He sealed it off shortly after, then gave me an empty spare for the urine.
"Take your time with it. Just fill it up a little more than halfway, and tell me when you're done. I'll be outside." He started to walk for the exit.
"Wait, what's the bucket for?"
He looked back slowly, then replied casually. "Stool samples."
I must have worn a look of dread right then and there, cause then he quickly added to his statement.
"Like I said, I'm thorough."


(((((((◉)))))))


After I had given all the needed samples to Petiole, he let me go saying that it'd take at least half an hour for my results to come in. I chose to occupy that time by checking around Virtue. Seeing what there was to see.
After a rather short lived journey around the area, I had noticed there weren't any houses. It was all shops and booths, which made me wonder if the shop owners just lived in their stores.
They seemed to also have a sheriff's office. A poorly made one, at that, as everything here was shanty. But it still had a jail cell that looked sturdy enough. That had to count for something.
As I was passing by, I noticed a bounty board with quite a few job offers up for grabs.
I trotted up to the front of the building to see what they needed done. Surely I could make myself useful somehow, rather than hauling cargo on the back of wagons. I needed something more... me.
There were three wanted posters that immediately caught my attention. Two of the three made my heart sink deep in my chest. For a second, I had forgotten how to breathe...
The three of them were side by side, and the first one on the left was none other than a copy of the same wanted poster I had seen in Saddle.
The Happy Killer. The Killer Grin.
One of his blue eyes stared deep into my greens, while part of his mane hung down over his other. His silver coat shined bright on the paper, as did that grin of his... The same grin that belonged to Para.
No one knew but me... No one knew that the Killer Grin was sitting in Virtue's motel this very moment...
But I couldn't just give him up... He was my friend. I... liked him. Maybe not Happy. But... Para... I didn't want to give him up. So long as the battery stuck around, I didn't need to worry. Para was nothing like him. Para was good. Ignorant, and possibly stupid... But he was good.
I shook my head and looked at the other two bounties. The one in the middle was the ghoul known as Fester. Black, raggedy mane. He had a chipped unicorn horn, but it still looked operable. Pale blue, wrinkly coat underneath a tuxedo. Milky white eyes.
Gross.
He was wanted for 100,000 caps. Dead. Taking him alive wasn't an option.
The last bounty was the other one that sent shivers down my spine just by looking at it.
Bristle...
Charcoal black coat, white mane. Red eyes.
Yeah, I knew him all too well...
Surprisingly, his bounty was lower than Fester's and Happy's.
25 thousand caps, alive. That didn't sound right... I'd have happily paid a million to see his head dangling from the end of a rope tied to a flying Vertibuck... with the body still attached!
... Er... assuming I had the caps to spare.
"Sight for sore eyes, I imagine." A horribly raspy, scratched up voice said from behind.
I turned around to see the masked Omegas standing before me.
"I imagine it must be hard seeing him up there among the filth."
"Not exactly." I looked back at the poster. "His bounty should be higher. You have no idea what he's been doing to ponies down in that bunker."
"I was actually hoping you could help us find it. We could storm the place and put a stop to his power."
I sighed and hung my head down. "If only I could... I don't exactly know the way back. I had only been out of the bunker once, and I was exiled on the same day."
"Figures..." He approached the bounty board and stared up at the wanted poster. "Someday, I'd love nothing more than to see his head on a pike."
"You and me both..."
Things got quiet between us for a short while before I regarded him. "So... how did you get out of 32?"
"By killing the overmare, taking the code to open the stable door, and walking out."
I tensed up almost immediately. He... didn't just... "Did you leave the door open after you left?"
"There was... unfortunately... an incident with the system. It wouldn't seal the stable back up. Something I'm ashamed of, I'll admit."
"I thought you were too injured to take on her security." I stated matter-of-factly. "I read it in one of your notes, I think."
"My problem was underestimating myself." He looked back at me behind that red visor. "I was stronger than I gave myself credit for. And seeing as the pony I hired to take her out died from the sentries before he could even reach her, I had to take matters into my own hooves."
I looked over the bottom half of the bounty board to see a few calmer jobs available. Stuff like repairs, caravan duty, bodyguards, and salvaging.
"I saw that... tentacle thing coming right at you in Petiole's memory. How did you get away?"
"Like I said... I underestimated myself."
Vague... were all ghouls like this?
"And how did you become a ghoul?"
"Heh... don't drink from puddles on the streets..." He looked away and rubbed his hoof awkwardly. "Probably saved myself from what was going to happen otherwise, though." He paused and turned back to me. "You've been in Stable 32, so I'm sure you know about the virus' that came with it."
I nodded, and he continued.
"I'm infected with what Petiole calls the F-virus. My ghoulification halted the infection, but I'm what is known as a carrier."
"I'm assuming that's why you're wearing the helmet?"
"Well, that and I'm a part of the NCR. They gave me this armor and put me in charge of the law and order of Virtue once they found out about my past, before the bombs."
"Chief of police?"
He nodded. "Exactly."
I smirked and turned back to the board. "I wouldn't mind taking a job off this. Could use the caps... and the experience."
He 'sighed,' which honestly sounded more like a nightmare than any other vocal I've ever heard in my life. "I can't exactly stop you, but... I'd have to send Rivet with you. You're important to the NCR, and I can't have you getting yourself killed. Especially with Fester and Bristle hunting you down. But I appreciate that you want to help."
"Fair enough." I said, keeping my eyes on the board. "Thanks for not trying to stop me."
"Well... we could use all the help we can get."
I looked over the repair jobs. There were a few involving automated turrets, robots, guns, and even a train car. The pay was a lot greater for the car than the others, but that also meant it was more of a challenge. Something I was willing to tackle.
I ripped the paper off the board and held it out to him.
"I'm gonna try this one."
"That's a tough one..." He replied warily. "Are you sure you can do that?"
I shrugged with a wry smile plastered on my face. "Never know if I don't try."
"Hm..." He thought to himself for a short while before nodding. "Alright. Go on ahead. Though, I suggest you wait until the next caravan is sent off. Safety in numbers and all that. In that case, you may as well take caravan protection duty as well."
I took the job he recommended, and he held out a hoof. We shook, and he started to turn around. "Next caravan leaves in 48 minutes. I'll inform Rivet to come get you when it's ready."


(((((((◉)))))))


"You're going where?" Para asked, holding his bunny close as he sat in the same seat I saw him in when I walked in the first time.
"For the last time, I'm going to the train station to help fix one of their cars." I replied, slipping into my barding and adjusting the gun's arm. I checked the sights after bringing it forward. Everything lined up like it should. "I shouldn't be gone long, and I'll have a lot of protection around me."
"But... the grain station..." He held out one hoof. "And grain cars..." He held out another, then put the two together, frowning. "That doesn't sound right. I've never heard of any of those things."
I sighed, shook my head, and slipped my helmet over my head, before looking over and smiling. "You're adorable, Para. Silly, and adorable." I trotted over and gave him a firm hug, to which he offered one in return. "I'll be alright." I pulled away to look into those golden eyes of his, smiling. He smiled back. "You just wait here, order room service... do what Para does in his free time." I looked down at Little Buddy and picked her up to wrap her in a gentle embrace, before setting her back down on his lap. It was a bit weird for me to hug a machine, but... it was best to just role with it. Questioning it only made my brain hurt.
"I did a nugget count." Para stated.
"Nugget cou-oh... Right." He was referring to the ammo. I smiled faintly.
"You have 30 bronze nuggets, and 23 blues, not including what's in those small containers you carry around." He raised a hoof halfway, closing his eyes and smiling proud at his count.
"Thanks, Para." I stood there for a few seconds as he looked back at me, keeping that adorable smile.
Ah, fuck it...
I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. I couldn't resist...
When I pulled back, he was blushing behind a grin. "Wh-what was that?" He put a hoof over where I kissed. "And why did I like it so much?"
I giggled softly, before turning around and bringing the rifle to my side. "Keep the coffee hot. I'll be back in a jiff."
With that, I made my way to the door and stepped out, closing it behind me. The radio would have certainly been nice to take with me. Could definitely use the luck that Tuner provided. But I also didn't want to come back to a burning town, and I didn't know how exactly the whole radio thing worked. I didn't know for sure if I held the radio, and Para was around me, if Happy would come back or not. I didn't know if Para had to hold the radio to stay as Para. When I came back, I'd have to ask Tuner those questions. I didn't have the time right now, though. I could already see Rivet flying down the street toward me, which meant it was time.
I also spotted Petiole heading in my direction.
I approached him before Rivet could meet up with me. I didn't want him or anyone else knowing...
"What's the news?" I asked in a hushed tone.
Petiole stopped, looking directly at me. "It appears you're infected with something I've never even seen before. Sort of a... darkness... I can't find a better way to describe it other than a darkness. It's growing inside you. I..." He paused and looked down. "Sorry to say, but it won't be the F virus that kills you..."
I simply smiled and chuckled softly. He tilted his head at my response.
"What's so funny?"
I looked at him, keeping that smile up. "So what's the bad news?"
He froze for a second, before scoffing. "That's the spirit, Charger... Well, the infection hasn't reached your saliva, by some miracle. And your urine is clean. I'm only seeing a hint of the F virus in your blood. The... shadowy thing is more of a problem, on the other hoof."
I nearly reached out to put a hoof on his shoulder, but remembered that he didn't like being touched. I quickly pulled away and nodded. "Thank you, Petiole."
"For what? All I gave was bad news."
"For telling me the truth." I smiled sincerely. Most of my life and what I believed was starting to feel like a lie. It was nice to have some honesty for once.
"Yeah..." Petiole said softly, looking down.
Rivet landed beside us and looked me over. "Ready?"
I smiled at the griffin before us. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Petiole looked at me silently, to which I explained myself. "I'm going on protection duty until we get to train station. Gonna try and fix one of the cars there."
"Want me to come with?"
"Nah." I shook my head. "I got it covered. Just keep Para and Fluky company until I get back. And don't go trying to kill Omegas." I said with a frown. "I know your opinion on ghouls..."
"Alright..." He started to walk past in an annoyed tone. "Just be careful."
"Pfft." I looked back, grinning. "You know me! Careful is my middle name!"
"No. It isn't." Petiole said simply as he stopped to look back. "Charger Outlet Surge."
Rivet burst into laughter as Petiole continued on his way. I felt myself turn bright red, and a sudden sweat started to break out.
"Oh, do I feel sorry for you..."
Ah, damn it, he saw that part of my memory!? WHY THAT ONE!?
> Channel 001.3; Red Moon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who you are comes from the choices you make when life gets tough.

___________________________________________________________________________________________


I trotted up to the wagon facing south while Rivet flew ahead of me, meeting up with the other guards that were taking the same job as I.
There was quite a variety when it came to arsenal. It was a wonder why one caravan needed so much protection.
Fluky had just finished helping load the wagon up. After she and an earth pony lifted the tailgate, she stopped and regarded me, while the pony she was helping out went for the next wagon. I stopped next to her, and the caravaneer looked back.
"Everypony ready?"
The team nodded.
I noticed one of them was dressed in Steel Ranger power armor, which almost had me running. But it became evident that this armor didn't belong to the rangers anymore. This was more... raider-ish.
Over the chestplate were welded steel bars that acted like the wall of a cage... almost. Or a fence... I couldn't quite tell what the welder was going for in terms of design... or added protection, for that matter.
The guns on both sides were that of 50 cals, and the tail had a series of steel spikes jutting out.
Another guard had flamers on either side of him. He was dressed in black combat armor that was a bit bulkier and protective than mine. He wore a skull mask that covered the lower half of his face. His eyes were blue. The rest of his head was protected by a combat helmet that fit well with the armor.
The one beside him, however, was a dragon! A live, dark red scaled dragon that was a little bigger than the flamer. He went without armor or guns, seeing as he was a fire breathing dragon, and his scales were enough protection as it was.
Another was a unicorn with three shotguns in his holster, who wore a black suit with absolutely no armor whatsoever, and the other was a pegasus with a battle saddle.
Then there was Rivet.
"Go on without me. I'll catch up, I promise." I said with a nervous grin.
The caravaneer nodded and started pulling the wagon. The guards went with him.
I turned back to Fluky, who raised a skeptical brow as she looked up at me. "So, you're off playing bodyguard now, huh?"
"We need the caps, and I figured I may as well pitch in. I'll be back though. Besides... I've been playing bodyguard. For you." I chuckled softly as I ran a hoof through her mane, but she pulled back.
"I've been getting us caps." She deadpanned. "50 caps a wagon." She then proceeded to point a hoof at the wagon that was rolling off, still staring at me in the eye. "That was my third."
I stopped and stared. I was proud of her for taking initiative, but... I didn't want her working herself too hard...
"Are you still going to be here when I get back...?" I asked softly.
She blinked, and her coldness died down by a landslide.
She turned to the bright orange glow in the distance, through the fog, just staring at the obscured view of where her home once was.
She turned back to me, and with a bit of hesitation, she nodded. "Yeah... I'll be here." I caught a faint smile on her lips as she looked up at me. "Don't go dying, Robutt. You're only allowed to die by my hooves only."
"No promises, Flukes." I smiled faintly. "Can you do me a favor?"
She nodded with a frown. "Don't call me that."
I moved in closer. I didn't really want anyone else hearing this and causing problems...
"Keep an eye on Omegas. Pony dressed in NCR gear. Red, glowing-"
"I know who Omegas is." She interrupted.
"Okay." I nodded. "Just... keep an eye on him. Make sure he's never alone with Petiole, got it?"
"This is about Petiole's hate for ghouls, isn't it?"
I nodded with a somber look. "Don't let Petiole do anything stupid."
She smiled and nodded back, before looking down and kicking the mud with a hoof, as if there was something on her mind.
"What's wrong?" I tilted my head as I raised a brow.
One second, she was looking up at me silently.
The next, her hooves were wrapped around my neck, and her ear pressed up against my chestplate. It would have probably been more comforting without the armor, but I wasn't going to even bother taking it off this time. I had work to do.
Still, I smiled and hugged her back. She looked up at me; still in my embrace.
"Thank you for keeping me safe, Robutt. Stay safe..."
We let go of each other, and she backed up to give me a bit of room before continuing.
"I don't really know why you did what you did back in Saddle, and I don't think I can ever truly... forgive you for it... But the least I can do is try. Like I said before... you mean well."
I caressed the side of her face with a hoof as I looked into her eyes.
"Thanks, Fluky. But... I don't deserve forgiveness."
"Maybe not." She stated, keeping her eyes on mine. "But if I find I forgive you, then there's probably a good reason for it." She paused and glanced at the wagon behind me before returning to me with a faint smile. "Well, I won't keep you any longer. Might wanna catch up with the caravan before they leave town." She gave me one more hug before running off to help the loading of the next wagon.
I watched her go for a few seconds, before turning and running for the caravan in the distance.


(((((((◉)))))))


Along the way, I had been given a spare box of normal rounds for the rifle, in case we ran into trouble. 30 'bronze nuggets' wasn't sufficient, I guess.
"So how far is this train station?" I asked as Rivet and I walked alongside the right of the wagon. Two of the other guards were on the other side, while the last two were up front with the caravaneer.
"If we're left uninterrupted, I'd say about 8 hours."
"8 hours...?" I was suddenly regretting taking this job... Apparently, my face showed that, too.
Rivet looked me over coolly. "Having second thoughts?"
"N-no... I already took the job. I'm not backing down now."
"Good." He gave a firm nod before looking ahead. "Just keep an eye out. Fester's been sending scouting parties lately."
I scanned the horizons as we continued on our way.
Things were quiet between the group for a few hours. Eventually, we had gotten clear of the fog, but it was still snowing ash. It got me wondering...
"Hey, Rivet?"
"Shoot."
"What do you know about the attack at Saddle?" I hoped no one knew it was me...
"I know that the Steel Rangers attacked it for a megaspell generator, and I know that you were involved with the shooting."
My heart dropped.
"You... know...?"
"We all know, Charger." He looked me over. "Why?"
"It's just... well... why are all of you being so... accepting, then?"
"Because Virtue is about forgiveness." The pegasus ahead slowed down a bit until meeting my side. "Name's Thunderwing." She reached a yellow, feathery wing out, to which I held out my hoof. She wrapped it around my limb, gave it a shake, then returned it to her barrel. Unlike Rivet's battle saddle, the guns were over her wings, instead of under.
She had a blonde, slightly curly mane and tail with hints of black. Her eyes were a navy blue.
"I'm not sure I really deserve forgiveness..." Didn't I have this conversation with Fluky earlier?
She shrugged. "Well, if you do right by us, we'll do right by you. And if the NCR is looking to protect you, then the residents of Virtue are willing to put aside their differences and let bygones be bygones. Surely you didn't expect shit to hit the fan back in Saddle. Right?"
I shook my head.
"Then you're not at fault for what happened."
"But... I participated." I replied, hanging my head down.
"Mistakes happen, Charger. We've all done shit we aren't happy about."
I looked over to see the pinions of her wing press against her chest. "Before I came to Virtue, I had gotten a colt killed. It was an accident... but it was my fault." She returned her wing to her barrel and looked at me. "We can't change what's already been done. The best we can do is try and move forward. Take the knowledge that we have to be better. Do better." She smiled faintly, but I sensed she was still hurting.
"I've done things that weren't exactly... on accident..."
"And?" She smirked. "I was a Mojave raider before I came to Virtue. I've robbed, killed, and tortured more ponies than I care to remember. Killing a kid, though... that's when I knew I had to change." She cleared her throat after a few seconds and resumed. "Before my raider days, I was with the Enclave." She shuffled her wings a bit as a look of discomfort grew on her features. "Till they removed my cutiemark, anyways..."
I glanced back at her flank to see the dark grey branding of a Dashite; a cloud with a bolt of lightning shooting out from the bottom. I imagined the symbol was to resemble Rainbow Dash's supposed 'betrayal,' shortly after the bombs.
I read it up on a report, back in the bunkers. Seriously... what didn't I read?
"What did you do to be labeled a Dashite?" I asked, looking back at her.
"Insubordination." She smirked again as she regarded me. "How'd you tick off the rangers?"
"Told them to go fuck themselves."
She laughed softly. "Nice. My kinda style." She looked ahead with a confident smile. "I have a feeling we're gonna get along great, you and I."
The caravan came to a halt, and I stopped with them, looking around on my E.F.S. I didn't see any reds.
"Why are we stopping?" I asked quietly.
She looked around before speaking softly. "Stay alert. Rivet, check for lead slingers."
"On it." He was gone in a heartbeat.
"Destrier." She continued.
"No hostile visuals." A deep voice behind a helmet of metal replied from the other side of the wagon. "Something ahead, though. Couple dozen yards. Could be a trap."
"Identify. Check for mines."
The steel-clad pony advanced forward as we all waited quietly. I kept my attention on my E.F.S., in case this was an ambush.
He stopped in the middle of the street, looking down at whatever it was that had us stopped here. He turned back to us, then back to it, before picking it up, and along with the item of interest, a piece of paper. He began his return.
"Report." Thunderwing demanded.
"It's for the rookie." He replied, looking down at me. He towered over me before dropping a plastic container with a black cap. Inside was a tan powder.
He dropped the piece of paper next, and it drifted down to the cement, landing upright at my hooves. It was a note, with only two words.

For Charger.

I felt all eyes on me.
"What is that?" The caravaneer asked, looking back at it.
"I have no idea..." I picked it up, examining it closely. Whatever this was, there wasn't a whole lot of it inside. But if it was meant to go to me, then it was most likely from either Firebright, Crimson, or Bristle himself. Someone knew I was out here... That I'd come through this way.
Opening it would have been a bad idea.
But at the same time, I wanted answers too. I was just as curious as everyone else appeared to be on the matter.
I stuffed it in my pouch.
"I don't know what it is, but I have an idea who it's from." I replied, looking at the caravaneer.
"Doesn't matter what it is." Destrier started, before turning away from me to look at the caravaneer. "Getting dark. Should rest at the Donut Joe's shop ahead."
Rivet returned from his patrol, landing on all fours in an impact that looked like it would have hurt, if not cause an injury. However, I didn't see even a hint of pain on his features. "Negative on that. There's raider activity ahead. They already took the place for themselves. We should circle around them and just get to Checkpoint Bravo."
"Negative." Thunderwing looked at him coolly. "It'd take too long to go around, and by the time the sun set, we'd still be off the road. We don't have time, and we don't travel at night..."
Rivet rolled his eyes as he turned away from the group.
"So we take it back." The dragon replied in a raspy tone, with slight amusement behind it. That was the first time he had spoken throughout this whole journey.
"How many are there?" Thunderwing asked, looking at the griffin.
"I counted 16, not including however many are inside."
"Could be one of Fester's assault parties." She shook her head. "We can't let them stick around. They'll just ambush future caravans."
"We should go under the cover of night." I stated, and everyone turned to me in silence. Did... did I say something wrong...? I continued. "We'll have the element of surprise, and it'll give us time to devise a plan of approach, until the sun goes down. Unless... you're all afraid of something out here at night...?"
Destrier shook his head. "We don't travel at night, only for safety reasons. So we don't get lost."
Thunderwing smiled at me. "Good looking and smart."
"What are you, a lesbian?" The shotgun wielding unicorn asked. He had a brown coat, a dark red mane, and yellow eyes. "He looks like a mare!"
"Hey." I deadpanned, to which Thunderwing giggled.
Seriously, I was getting irritated with ponies focusing more on my... feminine features. I'M A STALLION, DAMN IT!
"Plan, boss?" Destrier asked, looking at her.
"Let's get off the road for now." She replied. "Find somewhere to hide the cargo. Then we'll strategize our approach."


(((((((◉)))))))


I stayed crouched behind a dead tree under the cover of night as ash fell from the dark, smoggy skies. The air was uncomfortably warm and smelled of a burning forest, as it had since we left Saddle. The moon was painted red from the heat of the fires up north.
Rivet stayed by my side as we observed the building.
We had stowed the wagon away at the bottom of a ditch farther on the left side of the road. Two of the guards - the flamer known as Blaze, and the dragon known as Tezu - stayed behind with the caravaneer, as it wasn't wise to leave the cargo unprotected.
We had gone through each other's names at the caravan, before we set up our plan, so that if things went south, we didn't have to shout 'hey you' in order to get their attention.
The building was silent. I didn't see any movement within or around the structure, save for the dance of fire that stretched out from a barrel that stood in the lot. I didn't see any reds on my E.F.S., either. Odd. At the proximity we were at with the building, I was sure we would have picked something up by now.
But alas, there was nothing.
"Something doesn't seem right..." Rivet muttered. "I'm gonna go investigate. Cover me."
I pulled the arm to the gun forward and looked through the scope, checking the rear entrance. I didn't get a very good luck on the inside from this vantage point, as it appeared the rest of the way inside from this route was through a hallway that went off to the right.
Rivet took to the sky and came to a soft, careful landing on the roof. He looked down through the sunroof, froze, then turned to me. He backed away, spread his wings out, and flew back. The expression on his face was of worry and fear.
"Well?" I asked, looking away from the scope. "What did you see?"
"They're... they're all dead." He scratched his head. "They were alive just moments ago, and now they're just... torn up."
"But you said-"
"I know..." He interrupted, looking back at the building. "I know... I saw them just hanging around not too long ago."
I started forward, and his eyes went wide as he regarded me.
"What are you doing?"
"Investigating. Worse case scenario, we can find something valuable."
"Or all four limbs torn off and used for some sort of sick art piece..." He muttered, following behind. "Whoever did that, they were using the remains to shape some sort of... symbol... I can't describe it, but it felt dark..."
"Scared?" I asked, keeping my head forward.
"I've seen lots of shit, Charger. I've dealt with ferals, alicorns, hellhounds, raiders, and centaurs. And I have never seen anything as gruesome as what's in there. If something can do all of what I just saw in such a short time frame, then you're damn right I'm scared."
I glanced to my left and right to see the rest of the team's markers on my E.F.S., before stepping in through the back door of the shop. I kept my mouth on the grip, just in case.
Rivet followed close behind as I stepped into the dining part of the pre war establishment.
... Only to see an interior littered with dirt, grime, and trash. But no bodies, and certainly no blood.
I looked back at Rivet's baffled expression, giving him a wry smile.
"Oh my..." I spoke with sarcasm. "It's so terrifying!"
"I swear..." He started as he looked me in the eye with sincerity. "I swear, I just saw a pile of body parts!"
"Raiders, Rivet." Destrier said, looking around the room as he and the rest of the assault team stepped in. "Where?"
"I swear, they were right here."
"Dead, apparently." I added.
"And now they're just missing?" Thunderwing raised a brow while the stallion with the shotguns - whose name happened to be Riot - sighed. "And here I was thinking I'd get to kill something tonight."
Destrier's headlamp flashed on as he pointed it around the room, observing the scenery. "No blood in sight." Then the light froze as it moved to the counter... over a folded note.
Rivet snagged the note and opened it, reading the message intently. He looked back up at us with worry, before carefully flipping it over to face us.

Silence.
For your crippled wasteland slumbers.

Ask Charger what to do next.

Everyone looked at me in a cold, uncomfortable, confused silence for the longest time as I stood there, looking back at them.
"What? I don't know anything about this!"
"Surely there's something." Thunderwing said.
I thought carefully...
Wait, Tuner! Tuner said something about the moon! I didn't think it had anything to do with what was happening in here, but he said something about the moon... Ah, what did he say? Look up at the moon tomor-tonight!
I quickly turned to the front exit and stepped out. Everyone followed behind as I looked up at the sky. There were a few clouds here and there, but nothing excessive. The red moon was...
"What the hell...?" Thunderwing said beside me as she looked up at the same thing I was.
"Well, that's a first." Riot muttered.
There was a light moving away from the moon, like a star. As it flew away, it seemed to take some of the moon with it, as if it had blasted out from the giant rock.
"How did you know about this?" Rivet asked, regarding me.
"Something sort of like a... premonition?" I said nervously.
Rivet scoffed and looked back at the moon. "Yeah, whatever..." He turned to the others. "I'll go back and get the wagon here. The four of you wait here and hold down the fort."
"It's not safe to travel alone at night." Thunderwing stated as she stepped closer to him. "I'm coming with."
"No. I travel alone. It's better that way." He glared. "Besides, you ponies just slow me down."
"So why are you traveling with him, then?" She asked with a wry smile as she brushed her pinion against my chest.
"Because I was hired to watch over his clumsy ass. I'm just here to get paid."
My ears folded back as I looked down. Payment didn't sound like a great motivator to ensure someone's safety...
"So why did you take the job then?" Riot asked, raising a brow.
Rivet looked me over coolly. "Because Charger wanted to, and Charger's safety offers enough caps for me to face my retirement." His wings flapped open as he turned back to Thunderwing. "You four stay here. I'll be back." And with that, he was gone.
"Who put him in charge...?" Riot asked, looking at the pegasus mare before us. "Last I recall, you were the squad leader."
"I'm still in charge." She declared with a frustrated look. "He's not with us long term. He's only here because of Charger."
"Gee." I deadpanned, keeping my head down. "Thanks for laying the guilt on me."
Thunderwing turned to me, and her wing stretched out, gently lifting my head up to look at her. Her expression had softened as she looked into my eyes.
"I didn't mean it like that." She said softly. "We really appreciate that you're out here with us."
"Doesn't sound like it."
"We do." She said assertively. "Rivet's just a pain in the ass. He always thinks he's better than everyone else."
"Narcissist." Destrier spoke.
"And because he believes he's better than everyone else, he thinks the only way for him to succeed is to work alone, because everyone else is 'too weak, and just slows him down.'" Riot stepped in.
Thunderwing sighed as she covered her face with a wing. "Right..." She muttered, before taking it away and looking at us. "Destrier, Shotty, you're both on patrol. Charger, check the rest of the building. I'll keep lookout on the roof."
"Damn it, Thunder..." Riot hissed. "What have I said about calling me Shotty?"
"Lose the shotguns, and I'll call you something else." She smiled, before taking off through the sun roof.
Riot started muttering to himself as he and Destrier went for the exit, and I moved behind the counter. The cash registers were broken into long ago. There were scraps of food wrappers, empty bottles, and moldy... sniff, sniff... Urk... ugh... doughnuts? It was hard to tell what they were at this point, but it smelled horrible. They were probably a virus of their very own.
I backed away and went to the kitchen. There wasn't really anything to look at here, but fuck, it reeked of sex!
I backed out of there as fast as I could, once I confirmed the area was clear. I didn't want to go back in there... The scent was bringing me back to the bunker... Bringing me back to my experiences with Firebright...
I removed my helmet and took a seat at one of the tables to try and clear my head of the memories...


(((((((◉)))))))


It wasn't too much longer until the wagon was parked alongside the building. The whole caravan, the caravaneer and Rivet excluded, sat down at one of the tables that this diner provided. The same one I sat at, no less.
The caravaneer was counting caps, while everyone else seemed to be doing their own thing. Tezu and Blaze were lost in their own world, however. Turned out that Blaze preferred being the little spoon. They didn't really have much to say to anyone else.
Rivet was spending his time drinking at another table, away from us. Destrier had finally stepped out of the power armor. His black coat was covered in scars, and his black and white striped mane was disheveled. It just barely covered his eyes, which were both a different color. The left was purple, while the right was orange. That was... unusual.
Even out of the armor, he was still big and intimidating.
When he caught me staring, he turned to face me directly with a scowl. "What?" He said in a deep, scratchy tone.
I looked away after that.
"Ah, don't mind him none." Thunderwing patted me on the back. "He's always grumpy. Even in bed." She winked at him, but his scowl turned to her. She waved a hoof at him and smiled. "Ah relax, Destrier. Have a little fun."
"Like it's so easy..." He kept glaring. Didn't even blink. Did I ever see him blink yet? How has he not blinked!?
"Awww..." She pouted. "Does someone need to get his fuck on?"
"No." He stood up and approached his armor to check the plating. That, or he was trying to look busy.
She sighed and shook her head. "He's probably just grumpy because we didn't get to kill any raiders today."
I looked back at her. "Are you and him...?"
"Together?" She smirked. "Something like that. Friends, mostly. With benefits. We were in the same group of raiders before we left for Virtue. Poor guy's been through some shit, I'm afraid... I guess I have too, but not like him..."
"What's his story?"
Riot stretched and pulled out a cigarette. "I'm gonna go have a smoke... You two have fun, or whatever..." With that, he stood up and started for the exit. "Fuck, I don't care..." He muttered under his breath.
Thunderwing rolled her eyes before looking at Destrier tinker with his armor. "Well... he was a father once. Had a colt. That was his world. Sure, he loved killing as much as the next raider, but his son always came first."
"You said something about you accidentally getting a colt killed earlier?"
"Mm." She nodded. "Yeah, I did. Different story, though. Wasn't his. If it was, I wouldn't be breathing right now." She pulled out a smoke and held it between her pinions as she lit the end. She took a pull off it before resuming. A cig sure did sound good right about now... I pulled one out for myself. "So we were having trouble finding food one winter. Caravans were getting smart. Taking different routes we weren't really familiar with. Not to mention they started traveling with NCR patrols. To attack was risky, and we needed to play it smart. Even then, we were losing ponies. We were getting too weak to fight." She took another pull off her cigarette and blew out the smoke. I took one not long after. "Well, with food becoming scarce, the rest of the group that survived had the wonderful idea to expand their diet and try eating pony. Destrier wouldn't stand for it, and because of that, his son was targeted. I stood by his side and tried to fight them off, but that only earned me a nasty cut on my head and a camp of 16 raiders taking their turn on me, after they had their dinner. I guess I was dessert..." She lifted her mane a bit to reveal a scar above her right brow. "They had beat and cut Destrier to a bloody pulp that night..."
I tensed up just thinking about it... My sister may have raped me, and Crimson may have watched, but I never had a line build up to take turns... I couldn't begin to imagine what that was like...
"Lucky I wasn't on the dinner menu. Or maybe unlucky..." She shrugged behind another puff of smoke. "Sometimes I think death would have been nicer than what I experienced back there."
"I'm sorry that happened..." I looked down.
"Eh..." She put out the rest of her cigarette and flicked it away from the table. I put mine out on the table and ate whatever remained, only to shudder afterwards. Still tasted better than tentacles...
Thunderwing looked both concerned and confused as she stared at me with one brow raised. Her mouth hung open a little, and I shrugged with a faint smile.
"Tastes better than tentacles."
"Tastes better than..." She froze. "Oh fuck, I really don't wanna know..."
"I don't wanna remember." I shuddered again, hugging myself. "I still can't get the taste off my tongue." And so I reached into the pouch on my armor and pulled out the bottle of absinthe. "Which is why I carry this baby around." I unscrewed the cap and took a few large gulps from it, before setting it back down with a smile. "Gah, that burns so good..."
I couldn't hold that smile for much longer, though. I broke into a fit of coughing for a short while, before sliding the bottle over to her. "Ya want some?"
"Uh, that's not how you're supposed to drink absinthe..." She looked at the contents within the bottle.
"Pfft!" I waved a dismissive hoof at her and rolled my eyes. "And you call yourself a raider! Aren't your kind supposed to be all about anarchy or some shit like that? There is no proper or improper way to drink. Fuck the system, and fuck whoever tries to enforce it."
She laughed softly and grabbed the bottle. "Former raider, but... gotta say, I kinda admire your way of thinking." She proceeded to take a quick swig off the bottle. As she slid the bottle back over, she entered a mild coughing fit. "Fuck, that's strong..."
"Better than tentacles." I smirked, grabbing the bottle and taking another few gulps.
"Hey, you're not doing this on an empty stomach, are you...?" She looked at me in growing concern.
... So that was probably a good reason why I was already starting to feel the alcohol taking effect after the first few gulps.
Oh, and there's a growing mushroom at the front door!
The sudden realization that I had just fucked up must have been etched onto my face, cause Thunderwing shook her head, smiling, before getting up and reaching a wing out to me. "Come on, ya drunk dummy. You gotta rest."
I stood up from the seat, and... whoa. My limbs were weaker than usual. Not to mention the room was starting to spin, and it started to rain caps. I shook my head and held out a hoof before me. Her wing wrapped around it as she smiled at me. Not long after, she turned to her crew.
"Destrier, take first shift. Shotty'll take second."
Destrier looked back and nodded as he held out a bouquet of... what was that... flowers? Was he holding flowers out to his armor?
The suit of power armor turned and looked at me.
Uh, okay... I have questions!
"Hey, you okay?" I heard a familiar voice that I hadn't heard in ages. One that I was searching for.
I turned to a mare with a coat as white as snow, and a dark blue mane and tail. The unicorn's crimson eyes locked with mine as she smiled faintly.
Snow Star.
"I-I'm fine..." I replied in a slurred tone. "Just need to... lie down..."
Like now.
Right now.
Immediately.
... Hey, who turned off the lights?


(((((((◉)))))))


I cracked open my eyes to a silent night, looking up at a dark ceiling. I didn't have much of a view, but if I had to guess, the counter to my left meant I was behind it.
Honestly, I expected a hangover when I woke up. But I didn't feel sick, I didn't have a headache, the room wasn't spinning anymore, and I seemed sober enough to think. Didn't I have absinthe? One of the strongest drinks out there?
Suddenly, something bumped against my metal hoof. I looked down to see White Noise standing there, looking down at me. I couldn't see much of her. Just her eyes.
She nodded her head to the side, and in a poof of black smoke, disappeared.
Quietly, I got up and felt around the counter top as I moved forward. Eventually, my hoof slid off to the opening, and I worked my way around. I could see the exit, thanks to the stars outside. The land outside, however, was pitch black.
Blaze and Tezu seemed to have a good night... but now there was the stench of sex outside of the kitchen. Damn it...
I stepped out and looked to my left. White Noise stood at the corner of the building, looking at me, before she nodded her head to her right. She stepped out of view after.
I followed, now realizing that I was going in defenseless. Thunderwing must have taken my armor off when I was wasted, so that I could sleep more comfortably.
I stepped around the corner, and there she was. Standing there before me, looking up at the night sky while flakes of ash snowed down on us.
I stood beside her, looking up at the same sky.
"What are you doing here?" I asked softly.
"I saved you, father." She replied, keeping her eyes on the sky.
"What? From who?"
"Yourself." There was a brief pause as she turned to look at me. "Had I not come along, you may have easily died from intoxication. I purged the toxins from your system. I did you a favor."
Well... that explains why I didn't have a hangover, or felt like shit.
... I always felt like shit though. I just felt like less shit than I would with the alcohol.
"I'm not doing anything for you." I said behind a scowl.
"There was nothing I was to ask of you. This was no gesture of good will. I need you alive." She stopped and regarded me in silence for a short while, before resuming. "Greed infects all, after all."
She sat down, and soon after, I joined her as we looked out at the darkness.
It was... surreal, to say in the least. Sitting with... whatever this thing was. My... daughter, apparently?
She came from me, but she most certainly wasn't my daughter. I didn't even really know much about her or her kind. And that was a startling thought in and of itself. Who knew just what she was really capable of...
"So..." I started after a few moments of silence between us. "Did you have something to do with the raiders that were camped out here?"
"I disposed of them for you, father." She smiled, keeping her creepy eyes fixated on the darkness.
"Why?"
She paused and looked over, raising a brow. "Were you not going to dispose of them yourself?"
"I was going to, but... why did you do it instead?"
Her smile came back as she regarded me. "Because sides are petty."
Well, that was reassuring...
"I take it you found the gift I laid out for you."
"You mean the powdery stuff? That was you?" I raised a brow as I looked over, and she nodded. Huh... "Yeah. What about it?"
"You have not opened it yet." She stated matter of factly.
"For all I know, it's dangerous." I looked ahead again. "There's no way I'm opening it."
"If you are not to open it, then why did you take it?"
"Because..." I paused. "Because I want answers..."
"Your answers are in that container, father. But be warned. Sometimes life is easier to live with eyes closed. Your life will most certainly not be easier to live once yours are open."
I frowned at her response. "And... that's supposed to convince me to open it?"
"Yes."
I laughed and shook my head. Wow... "You really gotta work on your sales pitch."
"Everything comes at a cost. Everything has consequences. This too, applies to your hidden past. However, there is more than just answers within. There is more than truth. Open the container, and you shall restore what has been lost."
"That's vague." I deadpanned as my ears folded back. "In case you haven't noticed, a lot of shit's been lost."
"That may be so..." She stood up and looked down at me. "But the one thing that ever truly mattered will come back to you."
I looked up at her in silence for a few seconds, wondering what she meant by that.
"How do you know so much about me...? You and Tuner both... Hell, even Petiole knows something..." I hung my head down, but she put a hoof underneath my chin to lift my eyes back up to her.
"Because we have seen your soul. And seeing a soul is seeing their truth."
And then, in a cloud of black smoke, she vanished once again.
I sighed and stood up. "Well, I can't see mine..." I muttered as I made my way back to the front entrance of the building. At least I was sober now...
Sober and depressed.
Upon turning the corner, I spotted Thunderwing out by the door with a cigarette between her pinions. She was looking out at the starry night. The smoke from the Saddle fires were starting to fog the place up ever so slowly.
"Couldn't sleep?" I asked as I trotted up to her.
She shook her head before taking a pull off her cig. "Nightmares. You?"
"Had to take a piss." I said casually.
"Must've been a nice one." She looked over and smirked.
I smiled back before rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. "Hey, I just want to apologize if I ended up doing anything... stupid."
"You mean apart from drinking absinthe straight out of the bottle? Pfft." She rolled her eyes and waved a hoof at me. "Don't sweat it, man. You're good. Kept calling me Snow Star, though."
I tensed up at the name as my heart felt as if it had skipped a beat...
She shrugged and nudged my shoulder. "You don't have to explain yourself. I know when something is personal."
"Thanks..." I sat down beside her, and she looked ahead, taking another pull.
"I love nights like this..." She said softly. "The silence... The cold air..." She paused, then sighed as she dropped the cigarette butt after one more pull. She stomped it out. "Guess it's not so cold out here now that you guys blew up Stable 32."
I spun around at her statement, and she was looking back with a wry smile. "Yeah, we know about that too. Your friend Petiole had a lot to say to Omegas."
"And you're not mad?"
She rolled her eyes, keeping that smile. "Why would I be? Way I see it, if someone goes out of their way to detonate a Stable reactor, there's probably a pretty damn good reason for it."
I smiled back once more.
"Anyways, I'm gonna head back inside and try and get some shuteye. We got a long day ahead of us." She turned around and started to head inside, before turning back to me. "You coming?"
"In a bit. Just need to catch some fresh air."
She nodded, turned around, and continued on.
I looked up at the moon. There was still a big line of red flowing from the rest of the rock, like blood. The star... thing... That was nowhere to be seen. Just what happened up there...?
What did Blackjack do...?


(((((((◉)))))))


The following morning, we had started the day with a short lived breakfast that consisted of whatever we had on us, or what we found that was either left behind from the raider party, or previous caravans that passed through here.
For me, it was a cigarette. But I found a box of sugar apple bombs in the room that reeked of sex. Unfortunately, during my scavenge, I had discovered a set of chains stuck to the wall, and the source of the smell that brought up things I was trying to forget.
There were a few stains around the area that I did well to avoid. I noticed that some of the stains that were closer to the chains were more blood than semen, however.
I stepped out of the room with a lost appetite, but I pocketed the box of cereal regardless. If I got hungry on the road, then at least I didn't have to rely on cigarettes.
Seriously... I was going to get a stomach ache if I continued eating them... and probably some health issues, as well. As if smoking them wasn't causing enough damage to my lungs already.
Still, they tasted better than tentacles. Anything tasted better than that haunting flavor... Even my sister's nethers! Which... okay, admittedly, while I didn't like doing that stuff with her, she didn't taste all that bad...
... Stop thinking, Charger. Stop. Thinking.
I shook my head as I walked around the counter, slipping my helmet off its surface and putting it on.
"Ready?" Thunderwing asked as she looked at her team, myself included.
"As I'll ever be." Rivet muttered. I caught a few eye rolls from the others.
Before too long, we were back on the road. The air was a bit warmer than the night prior. The sun shined down on the smoggy land that; for a moment, I had mistaken as a morning fog. The sickly discoloration was a dead giveaway though.
Most of the trip was made in silence as we walked alongside the wagon. Eventually, I had trotted up to Thunderwing, who took the same position as yesterday.
"Hey." I said softly, to which she looked over.
"Hey yourself, Drunky." She smirked. "How ya feelin'?"
"Not hungover, if that's what you're asking."
She giggled and gave a nod. "That's good to hear. I'll need you at your best, in case we got trouble ahead."
I nodded back. "Of course." There were a few seconds of silence between us before I resumed. "Hey, I got a question."
"Go on." She looked ahead.
"What's up with Destrier's eyes?"
"Ah. Yeah. That." She cracked a smile. "Nothing, really. He was just born that way. Something genetically wrong or whatever. His parents probably had some exposure to radiation when they had him. I dunno." She shrugged. "Doesn't exactly do him any favors, though. He can barely see if he's not wearing that helmet. I had it modified for him."
"He's blind?"
She looked over, somber. "Pretty much. Just don't go asking him about it. Puts him in a bad mood."
"Thanks for the warning."
"Don't mention i-"
"Contact, 12." Destrier said aloud, cocking the massive guns on his sides. At once, the rest of the team readied up, aiming their weapons ahead. I quickly swung the arm on my shoulder around and looked through the scope as I worked my mouth around the grip.
There were a few red blips on my E.F.S.
And then there were six.
Ten.
I lost count after that! Shit!
I couldn't see anything ahead. None of us could. Our vision was obscured from the fog. But we did hear the distant growling of ferals.
"Fuck..." Riot lowered his three levitated shotguns just a little, before bringing them back up. "They overran the fucking checkpoint..."
"Too many to take on." Destrier stated.
"We should circle around." Thunderwing said, keeping her eyes forward. "We have time. Maybe we can get to the caravan on the other side before they reach the checkpoint and warn them."
"If only Petiole was here with us..." I said aloud, to which everyone turned to me at once. I looked around at the surrounding party for a few seconds before explaining. "He... really hates ghouls. Ferals and non-ferals alike. Plus, he's a ghoul. Aren't ghouls like... I dunno..." I rubbed the back of my head, feeling awkward now that everyone was looking at me with blank expressions. "Kinda invisible to ferals?"
"Petiole's a ghoul?" Rivet raised a brow, to which I nodded.
"Well, going back to get him isn't an option." Thunderwing stated. "We're too far from Virtue."
"Okay..." I rubbed my temple as I closed my eyes. "So... we go and deal with the ferals then?"
"Haven't been listening?" Destrier looked over with an annoyed tone in his voice. "Too many to take on."
"We can take them on if we do it carefully. Besides... if I understand this whole caravan system right, the group ahead of us was sent around four hours before we were. Which means there's another caravan four hours behind us. Correct?"
Thunderwing nodded. "Well, with the exception that caravans often stay at the depot for the rest of the day. The one ahead of us should be heading to the checkpoint now."
"By the time we get to the station, the party behind us will have to deal with the ferals at the checkpoint." I looked over at Thunderwing. "Do the other caravans have pipbucks, or anything with an E.F.S.?"
"Not... all..." She muttered, looking down as she bit her lip. "Damn it, Charger..." She looked back up at me with annoyance. "You don't know what these things are capable of in hordes."
"I have a general idea. I was stuck in a tunnel with a crap ton of them before I got to Virtue."
"I can't believe I'm agreeing to this..." She shook her head as she covered her face with a wing. "Destrier, Blaze, you're with Charger. The rest of us need to keep moving."
Blaze and Tezu looked at each other, and the dragon smiled. "See you on the other side."
"Definitely." Blaze replied just before going in for a hug.
"Just don't have too much fun without me."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Blaze said as he nuzzled the dragon's neck.
"I'm sticking with Charger." Rivet stepped in.
Thunderwing nodded. "Good riddance."
"Yeah, fuck you too..." He muttered.
"Everyone else," she resumed. "Move out."
The wagon steered off the road to the right, taking the more scenic route as the four of us stood there.
Thunderwing looked back at me with a scowl. "If any of them die..."
"I won't let that happen." I replied, before she could finish.
"Better not..." With that, she left with the rest of the caravan.
Blaze turned to me. "So, how's the hangover treatin' ya?"
I turned to him, smirking. "It's not. I don't have one."
"Yeah, yeah, good for you." Rivet rolled his eyes. "Can we stay on task now? We need a plan."
"Why do we need a plan, when I have two flamethrowers?" Blaze said amusingly.
Oh, I like him.
Rivet shook his head, but... he was smiling! "Ohhh... I have a plan."
Great! Wait... why was he looking at me like that...?


(((((((◉)))))))


Fuck, fuck, fuck! Oh fuck me in the ass with three shotgun barrels and pull the triggers!
How did I get dragged into this!?
I could hear the horde of pissed off, hungry feral ghouls chasing after me as I ran down the street! Sweet FUCKING CELESTIA, THIS WAS INSANE!
I glanced back to see many of them were airborne... with wings!
My hoof was flaring with electricity as I ran as fast as my body would let me.
The entire south was painted red on my E.F.S., but I didn't need that to tell me how royally fucked I was! I could see it myself just fine!
The pegasi were a lot faster than the mob of undead that ran at me, which meant they were faster than me!
"ANYTIME NOW!" I shouted at the top of my burning, exerted lungs as I ran for dear life. Another glance behind me revealed that even runners were faster than me! Shit! "SERIOUSLY, ANY FUCKING TIME NOW!"
The pegasi were getting close! Too close!
One of them reached out for me, and just as it grabbed a hold, ready to tear through my armor and sink its teeth in, it fell.
I continued running as I looked back at it. A harpoon had been driven through its skull. Several more shot out at the other pegasi, who seemed to be too distracted with me to be bothered by projectiles. Even if they were slaughtering them.
I passed by a tipped over wagon, and looking back, I saw Blaze standing inside, flamers ready to torch.
Ferals passed by, completely unaware of his presence. He didn't do anything as they chased after me. It wasn't his time yet, according to Rivet's horrible put-together 'plan.'
The majority of the air units were out of the sky. But the ones that remained had spotted Rivet's position and went for new prey. I caught him retreating; trying to evade their attacks. There were still too many for him to take on alone. But he was on his own for now, regardless.
Ahead, I caught a faint orange light on the ground. And another, and another, evenly spaced from each other. I kept my distance as I ran around each one, and after I got through the mine-covered street, I stopped and looked back, bringing the rifle out in front of me. The scope slid from the top, down to the side, and in front of my eye. Wish I knew about this feature earlier. It was a lot easier to use.
Sure enough, the ferals were stupid enough to follow me.
Mines exploded, and body parts flew. Sections of the asphalt road shot up in clouds with the detonations. My E.F.S. was sure enough starting to clear up, but there were still too many to deal with alone.
I switched to full auto and fired at the ghouls that continued to chase after me. One down. Two, three. I swapped the magazine out with a fresh normal rounded mag immediately after the first one was depleted, then resumed blasting away at them. The firepower wasn't enough to keep them at bay, however. They were still closing in, and there weren't very mines left between them and me. I started to back up.
My rear pressed up against something big, heavy, and hard. I turned around to see Crimson standing there, looking down at me...
My heart started racing even faster than it had before, and the scenery started to change around me. I was back in Fire's room. He blocked the doorway so I couldn't leave... Fire lied on her bed, waiting for me...
I closed my eyes and got down on my stomach, sheltering my head with my forehooves as tears fought their way through.
50 caliber guns blasted away, and opening my eyes, I was back on the infested street. Destrier was standing by my side, killing off the hostiles in a continuous, thunderous boom. Empty shells flung out from the top of both chambers as the ammo belts fed into the guns; some of which rained down on me.
I got up, wiped the tears away, and moved to the right a little, before firing again. Behind them, I caught the dim glow of fire through the fog, shortly followed by the smell of burning flesh.
It didn't take very long before the second magazine was depleted. They were still pushing forward, and the last mine was just seconds away from detonating.
I went to switch out the depleted mag for a T-round magazine, but my hoof came across something else...
I pulled out a lemon and proceeded to stare at it for a few seconds.
The last mine detonated, taking a decent chunk of the horde out. Right after the detonation, I chucked the lemon at the wave of red that was displayed on my E.F.S.
There was a boom, a wet splash, and what sounded like an acidic substance eating away at something.
Some of the ferals crawled through the smoke that the mines left behind. Sure enough, their bodies were being melted from acid. Smoke raised off their form as they desperately tried to come at us.
Destrier put a round to each crawler's head before continuing to fire off into the fog.
"Hope you got more of those!" He shouted through the gunfire. "Not done yet!"
I slapped in the T-round mag I was initially going for, and along the way, I pulled out another lemon.
"Not yet!" He shouted, glancing at me.
"Tell me when!" I replied as I cocked the rifle. The reds were slowly starting to disappear to a more manageable level, but it was still a lot to take in. If it wasn't for Blaze torching them from behind, we would have most definitely been overrun. I didn't have enough ammo for this, and Destrier's sexy guns could only do so much.
... Then his guns clicked.
"Empty!" He called out, which led me to lay down heavy fire against the horde. My gun wasn't enough, though. We barely held the line with his and mine going at the same time.
The horde was pushing forward, all clumped together in a crowd.
"When!" He shouted.
"When!?" I glanced over in the corner of my vision as I kept the barrel of my gun hot.
"Throw!"
Oh, right!
I quickly chucked the lemon at the mob that was ready to overwhelm us. Upon impact, it exploded in a citrusy fluid that seemed to burn away at anything it landed on. The explosion itself had enough force behind it to act as a regular grenade, and the splash damage was wiping them out by a landslide.
I put a few rounds in the remaining crawlers that didn't know when enough was enough. There were still more in the distance, judging by the E.F.S., but none of them seemed to be going after us anymore.
I checked my magazine to find it was completely emptied, so I swapped it out with a new one along the way as Destrier and I made our way around the melting bodies. We rushed for the wagon that Blaze had been hiding behind. I could barely make out his blip through all the red markers. He was getting overrun!
We charged forward in hopes that it wasn't too late for him...
The silhouette of the wagon came into view through the fog, and what I saw next was a weight lifted off my mind.
"BURN, BITCHES!" Blaze shouted as torrents of flame washed down on the ferals that crowded around the wagon. He stood atop, glaring down at the monsters below him; laughing as they were engulfed in flame.
Destrier and I stopped and stared for a few seconds in silence.
I guess he had that covered.
"GAH, GET OFF ME!" I heard Rivet shout through the fog, and looking to my left, I could barely make out his blip from all the red around him. He began screaming in agony.
"Rivet needs help." I said as I started to run for him. Thankfully, Destrier followed behind. I really didn't want to have to fight them off alone.
By the time he came into view, the feral pegasi had already pinned him down, eating away at his flesh as he lied there, screaming.
In an instant, I stopped, but Destrier kept going. With his guns being depleted of ammo, it was left to me to do the shooting.
I looked through the scope, switched to semi, and blasted away at their heads.
Destrier slammed into one that was digging into Rivet's left wing. He landed on top of it, and it thrashed around below him; it's body crushed from the weight of his metal body. He stood up, looked down at it, and crushed it's skull with one quick stomp.
I had killed three in that short time frame, and Destrier ripped the last one off of the griffin. He twisted the head off its body in one clean motion.
I ran up to Rivet to find him covered in his own blood. Chunks of flesh were ripped out of him, and I started to take notice that his entrails were spilled out below him.
His breath was weak and shaky. He was hanging onto life by a thread; losing grip the more time passed by. He coughed, and blood came up through his beak.
I got down next to him and quickly rummaged through my saddle bag. Come on, come on... Where's a healing potion...?
Don't do this to me...
Rivet looked up at me with tired eyes as blood spilled out of his beak. "Fuck, kid... glad ya made it."
"You're not dying!" I blurted, tears starting to emerge. I was getting really tired of death... Death and time... both real big assholes that loved to terrorize...
"Of course I'm... not..." He coughed up some more blood. "Reach into my... my bags... Got a potion in there with... mah name on it..." More blood leaked out. "Hurry th... fuck up... Feelin' m'self starting to..." He shook his head as he tried to keep his eyes open. "Mm... Starting to slip..."
I hastily dug into his bags to find the purple liquid he spoke of. I opened the bottle and put it to his beak, to which he drank. He coughed a little up, along with some blood, but he was already starting to regenerate. His intestines were pulling themselves back into his gut. It didn't do anything for the blood that had already left his body, though. There was only one solution to that.
A bath.
He rolled onto his back as his stomach finished closing itself up, and he shuddered. "I'll never get used to that feeling..." He stood up and groaned as he spread his wings out in a stretch. In the process, I heard a few bones crack.
My E.F.S. was now clear of hostiles, and Blaze was making his way to us.
Rivet looked at me and spoke casually. "So... What say we clear the checkpoint?"
Destrier nodded. "That's the idea. Find out why they were attracted to it."
"Ferals don't travel this far in with a horde as big as that." Blaze said as he stepped up. "This was organized."
"Ferals don't plan." Rivet said with a roll of his eyes.
"I didn't say anything about ferals planning." Blaze countered. "I'm saying someone put them there. Someone like Fester."
"He proves a point." Destrier stepped in.
"Yeah, he does..." Rivet muttered, stretching his left wing a bit more with a grimace.
Destrier and Blaze walked side by side, but I stayed with Rivet as we moved for the checkpoint.
"Are you alright?" I asked quietly, looking at the griffin.
"Nothing a little gambling at New Pegasus can't fix." He smiled, regarding me. "You did good, kid."
I scoffed. "Yeah, I did great at being bait." I deadpanned, and he chuckled.
"Sorry about that. But a bad plan is better than no plan."
"That's highly debatable." I said as I loaded in a fresh Tungstian mag. Wasn't he hired to keep me safe?
A sudden idea struck me. Something a lot more convenient and less time consuming for combat. "Hey, do you got any duct tape?"
"I do." He nodded.
"Can I see it when we get to the checkpoint?" I started to grin at the idea.


(((((((◉)))))))


There I sat in the tunnel, next to a bonfire. Wagons made barricades for both exits and entrances, and the remains of turrets laid strewn about.
"Well, there's your problem." Rivet started, looking around. "You have horrible management skills."
Blaze and Destrier stared at him silently, and he looked back at them, smiling. "What?"
Blaze rolled his eyes and looked off into the darkness.
"There." I said with a smile, lifting two magazines that were duct taped together; each facing opposite ends. "Project 69 is complete." I stuck the normal rounds into the gun.
Blaze chuckled softly to himself, and Rivet rolled his eyes at me. "What is with you ponies in always making sex jokes?"
I tucked the other two magazines I had 'modified' and restocked into my pouch. The first went into the gun. The way I designed it was that for each set, one magazine would be reserved for normal rounds, and the magazine connected to it would be reserved for Tungstian, or any other ammo type I got my hooves on. I marked the special ammo mags with red paint that I found in the tunnel, so that I knew which one was which. Categorizing for the win!
Unfortunately, the box of T-rounds had been emptied. The 23 'blue nuggets' went into only one magazine.
"Wrong question. How do you not make sex jokes?" I smirked and stood up, nudging his flank with my own. He quickly pulled away from me, glaring.
"I don't. Do. Sex. Jokes. I don't do sex."
"Welp, someone had a bad experience as a young 'un." Blaze looked back.
"I did not!" Rivet shouted.
"Young 'un..." Destrier muttered. "Interesting choice of words."
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that, and you know it." Blaze said, turning his attention to the steel-clad pony.
I leaned in to Rivet, whispering while Blaze and Destrier verbally went at it. "Maybe someone didn't give you good sex. I can make up for that. I can give you great sex." I gave him a wink, which earned me a look of disgust. I laughed as he shook his head and backed away.
"You ponies and your... sexual fixations..." He turned to Destrier and Blaze. "You two stop arguing!"
"Look, all I'm saying is that maybe you should stop trying to grasp at straws, Destrier!" Blaze pointed an accusing hoof at him. "It's not always about you, you know! We're not always talking about you, you entitled prick!"
"Guys!" I called out.
Destrier stepped forward; his chest practically bumping into Blaze's face. "I am not. Self. Centered."
"I didn't say that!"
"Yes. You did."
Rivet and I looked at each other with worry, then turned back to the two.
"BE QUIET!" We both shouted simultaneously, and at once, they both turned to us.
Rivet sighed and continued in a calm manner as I looked at him. "We're here, alright? We came here to deal with the situation, so let's deal with it, then catch up with the caravan. I just want to get this over with."
Blaze and Destrier looked at each other again in a moment of silence.
"Sorry, Dessy..." He looked down.
"I am too." Destrier said in a soft tone.
"We're cool?" He looked back up at the former raider before him, who backed away.
"Always."
"Yeah, enough of this..." Rivet mocked a sock puppet with his talon, looking at them flatly. "Can we get going now?"
Blaze rolled his eyes, and Destrier started to walk down the tunnel. Rivet and I followed behind, but we came to another stop a few seconds in.
"What is i-" I froze as I saw one red blip appear just ahead of us, shortly followed by another, and another. I cocked my rifle as Destrier loaded up. The good news was that he had more ammo for his guns. The bad news? He didn't have a whole lot left on him. The rest must've either been in his house back at Virtue, or with the caravan. His guns seemed to load themselves, as they hugged his sides as a belt slid out, entering the gun's chambers.
Rivet spread his wings out, aiming his harpoons ahead. Blaze sent a few torrents of flame in the air, which lapped up at the ceiling.
I could hear the faint snarls and growls of ferals closing in.
"They must have heard us arguing..." Destrier stated.
"Red, dead ahead." I smirked, to which Blaze chuckled.
I caught Rivet rolling his eyes, but he kept his attention on the incoming horde.
The front of the mob revealed itself around a shanty house that was made for whoever was staying down here - presumably whoever was part of whatever caravan was passing through - and at that moment, all guns went ablaze.
Destrier's calibers echoed throughout the tunnel. They may as well have been cannons, what with how loud they were. I swear, I could feel my ear drums start to bleed...
Not to mention I was getting struck with empty shells again.
I backed away from him a little bit - though it didn't help much in regards of volume - and continued firing.
The dead came at us full force with an insatiable hunger for flesh. Between Blaze's inferno, Destrier's storm of bulky lead, Rivet's projectile lances, and my... tiny ass rifle... we barely managed to hold them off. But it wasn't going to last long. Ammo was scarce as it was, and the wave didn't seem to die off that easily. A minute in, I still didn't find an end to it, via E.F.S.
My gun went dry, and I dug into my saddle bags to pull out another lemon. With no hesitation, I chucked it forward, striking the front of the horde, where bodies were piling up.
Upon impact, it burst, spreading its acidic after effects on the ferals that didn't already blow up instantly. The ferals behind them were too stupid to realize the dangers that were ahead, and so they ran forward, losing their limbs as they proceeded for us. A mound of bodies were starting to form before us, which was starting to provide cover for the ones on the other side. Which was a problem...
It meant there was a shorter distance between us and them...
Blaze started torching the corpses, while Destrier focused on taking out the ferals that were coming in from the top of the hill. Rivet and I focused on the sides after I spun the mag around, slamming in the T-rounds. I still had one more Tungstian magazine after this, but once that was gone, I was back to the normies.
The stench of burning flesh invaded my nasal passage, but I did what I could to ignore the smell and kept fighting them back.
They were starting to roll down the hill of bodies and into the flames that grew at the base, only to feed the fire. Make it grow stronger.
The torrents of fire stopped, and Blaze shouted through the gunfire. I couldn't understand what he said, but his actions said enough once I caught sight of him putting in two new fuel canisters that he pulled from his back. The fire continued to burn away at them shortly after.
The rifle clicked, and I quickly ejected the magazine, stuffed it into my pouch with the others, and pulled out another lemon. I chucked it at the hill and watched as they started deteriorating. With the time that I had bought us, I took the last T-round mag I had on me and slammed it home, before continuing blasting away at the horde.
The never... ending... horde...
My E.F.S. was STILL covered in red! We hadn't made any progress!
As I continued to fire, I clenched my teeth around the bit, shouting. "TOO MANY!"
The sides were starting to pile up with corpses, all the way to the walls. We backed up, due to proximity.
I started to pull another lemon out.
"No!" Destrier shouted, glancing at me. "No more of those!"
I looked around at our situation, and after putting the pieces together, I realized what he was trying to do.
I was 100 percent on board with this.
I tucked the lemon back into the bag and resumed firing off the last of my T-rounds. This time, aiming at the top left side of the mound, where the ferals began pouring through. Rivet took the right. Blaze set a line of fire along the entire base of the hill, so when they fell, they'd burn away. It wasn't the best idea, and it wasn't the most efficient, seeing as they'd stumble out of the flames, but we had to work with what we had at our disposal.
Destrier took out any of the more stubborn ones that charged through the flames.
One magazine later, the bodies had piled up to the ceiling on the left side. Rivet had patched up the right shortly after.
The guns ceased, and as smoke blew out of our barrels, we looked at one another, listening to the mob on the other side of the makeshift wall that kept them from getting through. They continued growling and snarling, trying to break through, regardless.
My E.F.S. was still one big red blob ahead of us.
"That was fun." Destrier stated in a calm manner. "Killing ferals makes a great substitute to killing raiders."
I looked to the flames that continued to burn away at the bodies. "Yeah, that was real nice, but we should get out of here. The smoke is gonna eat up our oxygen fast."
Rivet nodded. "Agreed."
Blaze sighed as he disabled the tiny flames that waited on the end of both barrels, turning around and walking alongside us. "Someone's gonna have to take care of the infestation here, though..."
"Volunteering?" Destrier asked.
"Me? No. I've had my fair share of feral slaughter for now. I'm just saying... someone's gonna need to take care of it. We can't lose this checkpoint."
"I'm sure they'll put up an offer on the bounty board, back home."
The hot air trapped inside the tunnel was quickly replaced with the slightly lighter humidity of the outdoors once we stepped through the door to the outside. It didn't help that Saddle was on fire...
Destrier stopped at the corpse of a feral, looking down at it. When we stopped to see what he was doing, he looked back up at the three of us. "Go without me. Have to do something. Won't be long."
"We'll be catching up with the caravan." Blaze replied, before turning around and walking off the road to the right, where said caravan went.
Destrier nodded, and Rivet and I turned to follow Blaze.
Minutes went by without a word spoken from either of us. The land was still covered in a sickly fog that didn't seem to want to leave. It was glued to the spoiled land of Equestria. I suppose that was partly my fault, what with the detonation of Stable 32.
Another thing to add to my list of things I'm held accountable for...


(((((((◉)))))))


"How'd it go?" Thunderwing asked, looking at the three of us as we approached. She paused and raised a brow, looking at all of us individually. "Where's Destrier?" She spoke in alarm, and her eyes fell on mine.
"Said he had some business to tend to." Blaze replied before meeting Tezu's side and nuzzling his neck. Did he always wear that face mask?
Rivet landed beside her and shook his head. "Your checkpoint is a lost cause. Whole place is overrun."
She gave me a questioning look, which I soon realized was the seek of confirmation.
"Yeah..." I muttered. "We ended up blocking one end off with their bodies."
"What?" Tezu spoke up; his eyes going wide. "That sounds badass. Blaze, I told you not to have too much fun without me!" He grinned, revealing a series of... oh my... That's... a lot... of fangs. "Now I'm gonna have to fuck you good and hard to make up for the absence of feral slaughter action." He looked over at his lover and smacked his armored flank with his scaly tail. "Tell me more about it later tonight, alright?"
"Oh, you got it." Blaze chuckled.
"So, how have things been?" I asked, looking back at Thunderwing.
"Bumpy." The caravaneer grumbled, to which Thunderwing chuckled.
"Yeah, he is kinda right about that. More so on his part." She flapped her wings a few times, grinning. "I don't have to worry about it too much, cause I'm a pegasus." She gestured a wing to her chest, wearing a proud look on her features.
"Wing flapping bitch, more like it..."
She stuck her tongue out at him, but looked back at me with a smile. "How about a story for the road?"
"Oh, uh... I dunno..." I looked away. "All my stories are depressing..."
"How about the time Rivet cried for hours on end because he got a splinter in his paw?" Blaze asked.
"How about the time I told you all to shut up." He stared flatly at Tezu and Blaze, to which the masked flamer giggled.
"Yeah, tell that one." Tezu started, smirking.
Rivet sighed and slumped as he walked with us. "Once upon a time, shut up."
There was momentary silence between the group.
"Well, that was disappointing." Thunderwing smirked, looking back at me. "Maybe we give Charger the chance to tell a story now."
"Hey Charger," Rivet began. "Tell them the story of how that armored ghoul diagnosed you with STDs."
My heart felt like it stopped in my chest, and all in one motion, everyone turned to look at me... silently judging...
"How did you hear about that...?" I asked quietly, looking at the griffin. I got a few raised eyebrows from that.
"He's not denying it..." Blaze whispered over to the dragon. "And to think we were going to invite him to a three way..."
"I-I don't have any STDs!" I blurted. "Or STIs!" I pointed a hoof at Rivet, scowling. "He just misheard my conversation with Petiole!"
"Uh huh." Thunderwing shook her head, smiling. "You got aids."
"No. He just has too much shit in his ears." I glared at the griffin, who was now smiling at me, enjoying the torture. "How did you even hear any of what Petiole and I were talking about? You were far away!"
"Griffins have exceptional hearing. Duh."
"Not exceptional enough, because I don't have any sexual diseases. I've only had sex with... w-with... well, that doesn't matter!"
The gay couple snickered.
"Doesn't matter how little you fuck." Rivet started. "All it takes is one wrong, smelly, diseased hole. One wrong choice."
"I didn't really have a choice with... most of them..." I admitted, looking down.
The snickering stopped, and everyone went quiet.
Thunderwing looked the other way, and I heard her mutter under her breath. "Sorry..."
I shook the thought away. "I don't have any diseases like that..."
"Right..." Rivet cleared his throat. "So what do you have? Cause I know you were diagnosed with something."
I sighed and turned toward the wagon, staying on the move. "That's not any of your business, and you don't need to worry about it... It's not contagious..."
"This conversation got dark..." The caravaneer stated. "I vote for a topic change."
"Second that." Destrier muttered, approaching from behind.
Thunderwing looked back with relief. "You're back."
"No shit." He grabbed some ammo from the back and started loading up. "What else did I miss?"
"Nothing worth mentioning. Just shitty stories..." Thunderwing said quickly before anyone could speak. She then gave me a look that said 'I got you.'
I smiled at her. It was a sad smile, but it was a smile nonetheless.
Destrier walked along the other side of the wagon as we advanced over the bumpy hills and through the woodwork. The group fell silent, but Thunderwing stuck close to my side.
After several minutes, she leaned in and whispered. "So who're the other ponies you had sex with?"
"What?" I raised a brow, looking over.
"You said there was a lot of non-consensual activity in your past. So what about the ones that were meaningful?"
Now, that was a story worth telling...
Well... the good parts, anyways...
> Channel 001.4; Trains And Tunnels
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The thing about happiness is that you only realize you had it when it's gone.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By midday, we had arrived at the station. There weren't anymore troubles after our stand against the ferals at the checkpoint. A red marker would pop up here and there on my E.F.S., only to disappear shortly after. Probably a radroach or a radhog.
Something we had noticed was that the caravan that was supposed to be returning to Virtue from the station hadn't met us along the road, or the hill over the tunnel. I had only hoped that they decided to take the route on the opposite side of the checkpoint; the one we didn't take.
The station was more like a depot... Exactly that, actually.
A series of tracks left through a gate, while the rest of the compound was fenced off and barricaded. In the distance was a giant concrete building where all the tracks led to. There were windows along the top, some of which were shattered.
Canvas tents were pitched, and older buildings were reinforced with the scraps of whatever they had at their disposal. Some of them, however, may as well have been held together by duct tape and wonderglue.
The front of a steam engine was poked out of the blue, steel gates of the massive structure. The headlight sent a bright beam through the thin fog as it waited on the tracks.
Two NCR grunts waited at the front gate, eyeing us as we approached.
The caravaneer that hauled the wagon stopped before them, pulling out some papers. One of the grunts took them, reading them over carefully. With that, he turned around and proceeded for a desk near the fence. He grabbed a stamp and slammed it down on the bottom of the first sheet, then returned it to the caravaneer.
"Go." Was all he said as they stood guard.
Meanwhile, the guards on the other side opened the gate for us.
"What's with the extra security?" I asked, looking around in wonder as we made our way forward.
"Fester wants this place, so that he can 'expand his interests.'" Thunderwing said with a disturbed look on her face. "That wrinkly sack of flesh doesn't know when to quit. Fuck, if he had an opportunity to take the whole world, I'm sure he'd accept it in a heartbe..." She frowned, thinking to herself. "He's a ghoul..." She muttered as she rubbed her chin with a wing, trying to come up with an accurate statement. "I'm sure he'd accept it in someone else's heartbeat?" Finally, she shrugged and looked me over as she started to trail off from the rest of the caravan, towards one of the buildings with a poor excuse of reinforced structural support and integrity. "Let's get something to drink. I could use a bottle of whiskey or two, after a trek like that."
Two? Yeah, have fun dying from alcohol poisoning...
"Can I take a rain check?" I asked. "I really should go and figure out what's wrong with their train car."
She nodded with a faint smile. "Right. Forgot you accepted that mechanic job. Alright, I'll let you get to it, then. If you need me, you know where I'll be." She moved in for a hug, and I returned the favor.
After a short while, we parted ways. She walked off to the nearest bar, and I to the nearest soldier, who was just walking past the building across from the bar; his rifle holstered.
"Hey." I said casually as I caught up.
He turned his head to look at me, then stopped once he noticed I was trying to get his attention. "Yeah?"
I stopped before him, smiling faintly. "I was hired to help restore one of the train cars here to working order."
"Okay." He said simply.
There was a moment of silence as we stood there, looking at each other. The more the silence carried on, the more awkward it got.
"Well..." I cleared my throat. "Can you... tell me where to find the car?"
He pointed a hoof over to the giant building, before continuing on his patrol.


(((((((◉)))))))


Two guards and a sentry bot stood at the entrance, behind a barrier of sandbags. The soldiers, upon seeing my approach, readied up for any trouble. I continued on my way, regardless. I wasn't trouble, so I had nothing to worry about.
"Who are you?" One of them asked.
"Just here for the job." I reached into my pouch, and within a fraction of a second, all their guns were on me. "Whoa, hey..." I froze, looking at the three. "I'm just pulling out a note..." I gently slipped my hoof out of the pouch and reached out to them; the paper to the job resting on it. One of the soldiers stepped forward, grabbed it, and read quietly to themselves.
"I'm just here to fix your car. Well... also because I came in with one of the caravans." I smiled sheepishly.
"Came here from Virtue, I imagine. Not gonna ask again. Who are you?"
I really didn't want to give my name out to anyone in the NCR, but... there was no way out of this, was there? Unless...
"My name is Churro."
"And I'm in charge of the NCR." One of them stated, glaring at me. "So how about the truth?"
I sighed before answering. "My name is Charger."
The two of them froze before looking at each other and whispering.
"Yeah, yeah..." I replied with a roll of my eyes. "Don't cream yourselves..."
They returned to me after a few seconds.
"Go on in and take care of the car, but if anyone in there finds you snooping around, you're going to be shot."
"The sentry will escort you to the car." The other guard replied, handing me the slip of paper. I stuffed it in my pouch as the sentry turned towards the door, rolling forward. The door was the same as the one for the library in Stable 32.
It slid down, granting access to the sentry, which I began following.
The inside of the building looked even bigger than it did on the outside.
There was an office to my left with two ponies inside, talking to each other. It looked serious, but I couldn't hear what they were talking about. They must have restored the windows to that part of the building, because they looked perfect. Maybe a bit dirty, but I didn't see so much as a crack in the glass.
The stallion paced around the room frantically, while the mare stood there, still and silent, and without a care.
Her coat was a dark purple, while her eyes were a slightly light shade of the same color. Her mane and tail were both dark blue, with streaks of purple. Her cutiemark was a ball of fiery light.
His coat was a dark blue; his eyes dark brown. His short mane and tail were a dark grey, and his cutiemark was a train.
The still one with tired eyes moved her mouth, and the stallion stopped his pacing to look back at her for a few seconds, before slamming his hoof down on the table between them, shouting. It was muffled, but I still couldn't really make out what he was saying. If only I could read lips...
His eyes quickly shifted from her to me, and she turned to look, keeping up that surprising careless attitude as her eyes met mine.
I quickly turned away and continued following the sentry.
The majority of the inside - at least, on the first floor - was the series of train tracks, all of which led to one circular pad that looked like it was able to rotate. I could only imagine it was to turn a locomotive around. That was a convenient thing to have around...
The sentry and I moved across the concrete walkway along the side of the tracks, towards that circular, metal pad.
There was a metal stairway that went up to a series of catwalks, which led into rooms formed by steel walls, floors, and ceilings. One of those led up to the windows at the top of the building.
There was also a bridge for hoof traffic on the first floor to get across the series of tracks to the other side, which was pretty much the same as the side we were on.
The sentry rolled down a small ramp and made its way to the platform that could potentially rotate. I stepped on soon after, and the sentry stopped and turned around to face me, saying nothing all the while.
Then the platform jolted, before rotating and... descending. Descending down a big hole underneath the building. Okay, this was unexpected...
Lights scrolled up the sides of the hole as we went deeper. After a few minutes, I looked up to find I could barely see the top anymore. There was only a small speck of light above.
Then the lift stopped abruptly.
I looked around my surroundings, only for darkness to greet me with its presence. There was the flicking of switches, and then...
With several loud thuds that echoed throughout the underground facility, came light. Flood lights, too.
I covered my eyes at the blinding view for a short while, until my eyes adjusted accordingly.
When I moved it away, I found myself in a station with several other trains much like the one above me, along with cars and engines, many of which had been stripped for parts.
Many of these locomotives seemed severely damaged, and in desperate need of repair. Some of them seemed to be in the process of it, actually. Though, at this moment, no one was down here but me and the sentry that guided me to my destination.
I followed as the sentry rolled down the set of tracks, which gradually dispersed into several other sets, a lot of which were occupied by many of the other locomotives.
"Sure they don't need help with a lot more than just a car...?" I muttered as I examined the broken machinery around me.
The sentry didn't reply, but I didn't expect it to anyways.
After several minutes of walking down the brightly lit tunnel, the sentry came to a stop at a car.
The car.
Okay... Now I knew why they wanted this thing repaired to working order.
I studied the massive barrels atop the car that were left bent and melted. The exposed wiring and circuitry that had clearly been fried. The armored sides that had been ripped open...
This wasn't just an ordinary train car...
This was a weapon.


(((((((◉)))))))


I spent a good half hour or so examining the exterior of the car, before having the sentry go back and get me an extra set of hooves. There was no way I could do this alone. This was going to require a lot of heavy lifting, and... I was pretty weak for an earth pony...
A unicorn that was great with telekinetic magic was ideal for a job like this...
Didn't I hear something about the Lightbringer lifting a train car with her magic to crush her foes at some point...? Man... a unicorn like that would be perfect for this job.
The sentry rolled back to the lift, leaving me here in this eerie... place. Alone. It was already a bit discomforting being down here, but alone...?
I was starting to really hate the underground...
It wouldn't last forever, though. Someone would come back.
Besides... it wasn't like anything hostile was down here with me. This was NCR territory. I was safe. Well... for now, anyways. I still didn't know what the NCR's plans were for me, long term... Or why they hired Rivet to keep me alive... But I was certain it had something to do with the battery.
What would my value be to them if I hadn't come across it...? If I hadn't come across Para...?
Would I have even mattered to them...? To anyone?
A set of hoofsteps sounded along the concrete tunnels behind me, and I turned to see...
"FUCK!" I jumped back, bringing the rifle in front of me and nearly firing a shot at the pony... THING... before me.
She shook her head at me with a faint smile. "I missed you too, father."
"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked quickly, frowning at her. "How did you get in here!?"
"Do you really believe that your flawed species would be a problem for me? They do not pay enough attention. They are incapable. I could wipe them all out without any alarm." White Noise stepped forward, and I backed up. She walked past me, eyeing the car. "I am here, because you need help."
"And... what, you're just going to extend your hoof out of the kindness of your heart?"
"Kindness?" She smirked, looking at me. Fuck, her eyes hurt... "No. Kindness is a system built by the minds of the frail. The ones who could not bear the pain that words could deliver. Kindness is a weapon. Much stronger than this..." She looked back up at the car, then back at me. "Kindness builds sensitivity to the mind, and that makes weakness spread through generations. Who knew that sounds could cause so much heartache? Who knew it could cause so much destruction?" She laughed softly to herself, looking up at the cannon. "That is the fascinating thing about your kind. Your people had worked so hard on building a better way of life. Had built a system to tear themselves out of more primitive times. But in the end, you all went back to the way it all started. You could not ignore your primal needs. So your people pressed a button to reset the world. But even then, two generations after the fact, you are all still trying to hold on to your old ways. Even many of the zebra, your foes... the ones who pressed the button, have been trying to be what they think is better. But your history will only repeat itself over and over again, until there is nothing left to repeat." She paused and regarded me. "I am not here out of the kindness of my heart, for I do not believe in such a flawed system. Much like I do not believe in the idea of choosing sides. I am simply here to bear witness."
"Bear witness to what?" I glared.
"What do you think?"
"I don't know!" I backed away from her, noticing she was starting to get closer. "That's why I asked!" I groaned in frustration and shook my head, closing my eyes. "Look, if you're going to help me with the car, then let's get it over with."
"Oh, I think you misunderstood me, father." I looked over to her, and she continued. "I never said anything about helping with this..." She shook her head. "No, I am here to remind you of the importance of the container you carry with you."
"Again with the container..." I muttered. "Look, if I don't know what's in it, then it stays closed.
"Then have the one you call Petiole study it."
"Why do you want it opened so badly?" I frowned; my ears folding back. "What is so important about a little powder in a plastic container?"
She smiled and backed up. "Find out."
And with that, she turned into the black, squelchy thing I had regurgitated back in Saddle, before using its several dozen tendrils to escape the scene.
Not long after, I heard another set of hooves behind me. I turned to look to see a regular unicorn. Blue coat, pink eyes, and a lighter blue mane and tail. He had a railroad spike for a cutiemark.
"You needed help?" He said with a faint smile, looking me over.


(((((((◉)))))))


The inside of the car was just as fried as the rest of it. There was a seat in the center that sat before a shattered computer screen. Along the interior walls were columns of shells, but most of them had exploded; probably when the transport caved in a little.
How in the fuck was I going to fix any of this...?
"What even happened for the car to end up like this?" I asked aloud as I gaped at the broken machinery before me.
Rails, the mechanic that came to assist me with restoration of the car, shouted between grunts, as I could hear him trying to remove the barrels of the turret above me via magic.
"No one really knows! Come on, you son of a..." He struggled to remove one of the barrels, before continuing. "We just... found it in the middle of nowhere. Hnnng!" I could hear him breathing heavily as if he were taking a short rest. "The crew that we sent with it was nowhere to be found. Assumed... dead!"
There was a sudden metal grinding, shortly followed by probably the loudest metal bang against the cement floor I had ever heard in my life.
My ears rang as I clenched my teeth, wincing my eyes. Sweet Celestia, my ear drums...
"Sorry about that! Got one more comin' down! Brace yourself!"
I sat on my haunches and covered my ears with both hooves, waiting for the second barrel to drop. Instead, I heard a muffled grunting again.
"Whenever this damn thing will come... loose!" He cried out. Almost immediately after, there was another loud grinding. I went to cover my ears again, as I had started to remove my hooves, but even then, when the barrel dropped, it made my headache worse. I was bound to get headaches anyways... Got them all my life, after all. Day after day, for as long as I could remember. I seemed to always have headaches or migraines. But there were times where it was more subtle.
Not like right now... Damn it.
I wouldn't be surprised if one more barrel drop would make me deaf.
"Phew!" He laughed under his breath.
I uncovered my ears and poked my head out. "Hey, I don't think the stuff in here is going to work. I'd need new hardware."
"Assuming there's anything new to remain on this radioactive rock." He chuckled, looking down at me with a gentle smile. "I'll see what I can hook you up with. Just see what you can do in the meantime, alright?"
I nodded and went back to the computer. The monitor may have been busted, but if I could get the computer itself to start up, then that meant progress. I could easily install a new screen, if I needed to.
... I definitely needed to. But one thing at a time...


(((((((◉)))))))


Several hours in, Rails had let me get out for a breath of fresh air. I had managed to fix the majority of the computer with some of the spare parts he sent my way, but the screen was still a problem.
I had also fixed some of the column racks that held the ammo for the turret above me, along with patching up and fortifying the holes on the side of the car. It wasn't perfect, but I was working with what I had at my disposal. We both were.
All that was left that needed fixing were some of the wheels, the latch to connect to other cars, the screen to the computer, and the turret on the top. Everything else looked like it was set.
By the time I had seen the light of day, it was past 5 in the P.M. The sun was out, but the fog made everything look sickly. And it was still raining flakes of ash.
I left the train depot where the idle locomotive sat, and made my way to the bar that Thunderwing spoke of.
Thankfully, none of the soldiers gave me any shit for wandering about. Especially the ones at the depot entrance.
I entered the bar to see a unicorn cleaning out a few glasses with a washcloth. She looked up at me, rolled her eyes, then continued cleaning the glass that was wrapped in her magic.
At the right side of the bar counter, I saw Thunderwing; her right ear pressed against the surface as she snored quietly. One arm was stretched across the counter, next to a half empty glass of whiskey, while the other hoof dangled below her.
I pulled up a seat next to her, smiling. I wasn't expecting the tiles of the floor to scream when I moved the chair, so when I moved said chair, I grit my teeth to the sound. A second after, Thunderwing snorted, cracked open her eyes, wiped the drool from her mouth that pooled up on the counter's surface, and smacked her lips.
"Numb..." She muttered as she raised her head and looked around. She spotted the glass, gave it a tired smile, lifted it up with a wing, then gulped down the rest of what she couldn't finish before. She set the glass down and looked at the bartender. "Thas it fer naw..." She wavered a little before turning to me. Her eyes lit up a little. "Heyyy, is you!" She patted me on the back, smiling, but that was soon interrupted with an abrupt hiccup. "Where yoo been? I bee waitin' on yoo."
"I was working." I smiled sheepishly. I sure hoped I didn't act like that when I was drunk...
"Ah, work, smork, smirk, salami-" Her gibberish was quickly interrupted with a loud, crude belch. She paused, looked at me with a faint smile, and continued whatever it was she was saying. "Burp."
I sighed and rolled my eyes. "I think you should get some rest."
"Yer pros ri..." Her slurs became too deep as her eyes started to force themselves shut. She slouched over, starting to snore before she jumped up and looked around. "I awake! Dun worry none 'bou me!"
I laughed under my breath and stood up. "Come on, Thunderwing. You need rest."
She leaned to the side, getting ready to fall over. I quickly moved over to where she was about to fall, only for her to lie over my back. I looked over at the bartender, smiling sheepishly. "Is there someplace I can take her so that she can sleep it off?"
"There's a bunk down the hall." She pointed a hoof down the hall that had been behind us for as long as we were sitting there. "15 caps a night. Not to mention she still didn't pay for that drink... or the other three."
"Right... How much is that gonna cost?"
"For the three? 90 caps."
... Oh...
"I... don't have that much on me..." I'm not sure I even had 15 caps.
"I'm not telling you to pay. I'm telling her." She glared at the unconscious mare on my back. "She always does this."
"Well... maybe we can work out a deal? See, I'm working on repairing the turret car for the train. Maybe you can let her off the hook this one time? And in return, I fix that car to make up for the payment?" Wasn't the best negotiation, but it was all I had.
She huffed and looked away. "Yeah, fine, sure, whatever..."
Okaaaaay then. Guess that worked.
I carried Thunderwing down the hall and entered a room at the far left. Inside was over a dozen bunks, all of which were empty.
I set Thunderwing down on the closest one to the door, making sure to keep her on her side. I fortified her back with a wall of pillows so she didn't end up choking on her own puke later. I was sure there was going to be a mess of the stuff later...
I stepped out and approached the bar, regarding the mare before me for the longest time, until she caught me looking. She caught my smirk as well, implying I knew something. I did. She didn't have to tell me. I felt the same way at the bunker. I knew exactly how she was feeling.
"What the fuck are you looking at?" She snapped.
"Let me guess..." I sat down upright, using my hooves to support my head as my arms rested on the counter that separated me from her. "You feel that what you're doing here is meaningless to the war effort. I mean... serving beer? At an NCR installation?" I clicked my tongue a few times and shook my head. "I get it. I do."
She froze, keeping her eyes locked with mine for a few seconds. In those seconds, I saw her expression start to change to a lighter tone. I could feel the way she thought about me start to change for the better. I wasn't just another guy looking for a drink.
But then she glared again.
"And what the hell do you think you're talking about? What is it you get?"
I smirked and leaned forward in my seat. "Buy me a drink, and I'll tell you."
She raised a brow at my expression, then shook her head, laughing under my breath.
"Alright, I gotta admit, you have me intrigued..." She smiled back faintly. "What's your poison?"
"I'll take a whiskey. May as well get something for yourself while you're at it."
"I don't drink on the job." She replied quickly, as if someone's pulled that card on her before.
Okay, backing off from that then. I shrugged as she levitated a bottle over to me. I went to grab it, but she pulled it away. I raised a brow at her, noticing she was still smiling... and glaring.
"Tell me first."
I nodded and leaned back a little, still keeping my own smile up. "Fair enough. You want to offer more than just serving drinks. You were promised to help this place better for ponykind. I was promised the same thing back home. Until I realized how fucked up everything there was." Annnnnd there went my smile.
She froze for a short while before letting her glare die down, and after a bit longer, she brought the bottle back to me. "Maybe you do understand..." She sighed, keeping her smile.
I opened the bottle and took a quick gulp, before coughing a little. "Have you tried getting yourself out of this job? Try and do something better?"
She hung her head down in disappointment. "Yeah, but... they won't listen... So I've been trying to save up enough caps so I can get far away from this place. Might go somewhere overseas, so long as the pirates don't hit whatever ship I'm on first. Might go to Hoofington, assuming the right side of the battle there wins. New Pegasus, maybe..." She shrugged and looked me over as she began washing another glass. "I don't have a set course just yet. But anywhere is better than this place."
... Well, now I felt like an asshole for taking that bottle.
I reached into my pouch and pulled out every last bottle cap I had saved up. There were only eight. It certainly wasn't enough to cover the bottle... but it was all I had.
"I'm sorry I don't have more..." I muttered, sliding them over.
"Hey, don't worry about it. That one's on the house." She smirked, eyeing the drink. She slid the caps back over to me, to which I hesitantly pocketed them.
"Well... thanks, I guess." I smiled faintly, though I still felt shitty about not paying her. Maybe I could change the topic. "What's your name?"
She blushed and looked down. "Whiskey River..." She replied quietly.
"Whiskey River?"
"I know... it's stupid." She shook her head. "That's what I get for having alcoholic parents."
"It doesn't have to be." I smiled, before taking another gulp from the bottle. My lips were already getting numb, and I was starting to feel a warmth in my gut. "I mean, it almost sounds like it could be the title for a song."
She laughed softly before her yellow eyes stayed glued to mine. Her rose colored mane obscured her vision a little, and so she brushed it away with her amber colored hoof. Fitting color for a fitting name, I suppose.
Fuck, Petiole was right about my new hoof fitting my name! I just proved him right!
"What?" I asked politely, smiling sincerely.
She smirked. "How long are you sticking around?"
"I'm not sure. Why?"
"If you're still here by nightfall, come to my place. It's right next door. I'll leave the door unlocked for you."
I felt myself turn red as I looked back at her, and she giggled under her breath.
"I meant for dinner. Get your mind out of the gutter."
"Oh... right." I chuckled and took another gulp from the bottle. One quarter done, two to go.


(((((((◉)))))))


I spent maybe an hour at the bar, before I decided I had enough to drink. I wasn't trying to get wasted, so I made an attempt to pace out each drink from the bottle. By the time I left, I was borderline drunk, and I had a little less than half a bottle left. The amber contents filled my gut with a satisfying, full warmth.
I wasn't much of a lightweight. Not like back then. White Noise was right about me. I did drown my sorrows with alcohol and cigarettes. Hell, even cigars, if I could get my hooves on them. It wasn't healthy, and I knew that. But it was all I could rely on, back then. And when someone goes through life using alcohol as a crutch to dig through the shit called life, it would be hard to quit old habits once they got through.
Even then, I wasn't really through, was I? I had entered a new chapter in my life, but that didn't mean I was through. I was still buried in shit, and it was piling up, weighing down on me. Crushing me, more and more each day. I was still digging through.
"Fuck, I need happy booze..." I said in a slurred tone as I slightly stumbled back to the massive building down the tracks. The train still hadn't left yet.
The two guards at the entrance let me in without question, and I made my way back to the sub levels.
Rails was snoozing with his back pressed up against one of the wheels of the car. I don't know how that would be comfortable, but to each their own, I guess...
I nudged his shoulder, and he opened his eyes, blinking a few times as he looked around. Finally, he focused on me.
"Oh hey, you're back." He smiled faintly. "Everything alright?"
I nodded, though that wasn't true. My mind was wandering to more dark, dangerous places. "How's the car coming along?"
He tapped his hoof against the steel frame behind him, smirking. "Could have her done by tonight, if all goes well. Just need to fix some of the gears in the turret, reroute the terminal to the guns, and fix the loading racks a bit more so that there's reduced risk of any jams happening during travel."
The holes had all been patched up by the looks of it, so that was one less thing to deal with, and I didn't think we'd have to work too long on the loading racks, seeing as I had already worked on the majority of them.
"Alright, then." I smiled. "Let's get to work."


(((((((◉)))))))


It took a lot of patience and communication, but by the time we got it done, the time on my pipbuck read six past ten.
The car wasn't exactly restored to its former glory - I didn't need to see how it looked before to know that - but it was repaired. All the holes were patched up with reinforced metal plating, the doors at the front and back were working, the terminal inside operated just fine, and the turret was able to rotate both directions with no troubles.
We couldn't exactly test the ammo racks in here, so that was left to whoever was taking this out on the field. I only hoped it would help prevent this Fester guy from ambushing more shipments to Hoofington. Or anywhere else, for that matter.
Rails and I stood there, looking at our achievement, smiling. We were both exhausted. I imagined he had one hell of a migraine after using that much telekinesis magic to get things done around here. It was definitely needed, seeing as there were things that would have been impossible for us to lift by ourselves. He needed more rest than I at that point.
I probably wouldn't get paid as much because I had help, but I wasn't going to complain. He earned a payment for all the hard work he did as well.
He looked to me, and I at him, and the two of us smiled at each other. We both reached out a hoof and bumped them together.
"We make an awesome team." He said, looking back at the car, panting softly. I joined him at the sightsee once more.
"Hell yeah, we do."
He slouched and stumbled a little bit, before leaning against me. I looked back over, taking notice that his legs were shaking.
"Hey, you alright...?"
"Just... exhausted." He hung his head down, closing his eyes. "I'm not too strong with my horn just yet."
"Bullshit. You were lifting steel earlier."
"Okay..." He laughed under his breath. "Fair point... Let me rephrase..." He took a deep breath before continuing. "I can't use my magic very long before it drains me... I exceeded my capabilities today..."
"Do you want me to take you back to your place? You shouldn't walk back alone, if you're about to pass out."
He smiled faintly, keeping his eyes closed. "That'd be awesome, Charger... Thank you." He barely managed to lift his head up and open his eyes, all while keeping that smile. Today's work seemed to really take it out of him...
I smiled back faintly. "Here... put an arm around my shoulder." He did as he was told, which meant getting closer to me. "Let's get you home."
We continued on for a while in silence, until we got to the lift. As it started to ascend, he spoke.
"So... you used to be a Steel Ranger, huh?"
I rolled my eyes. "Don't remind me..."
"Can I ask a question?"
"Sure..." I stared ahead flatly.
"I heard rumors that you were involved in Bristle's little circle. Is that true?"
"Eh... somewhat." I shrugged.
"What's he like?"
"He's a piece of shit. As are the rest of the ponies in his circle... and any other pony that chooses to follow him." I deadpanned, looking over at Rails. "Why would you like to know?"
He shrugged, but refused to look at me, as if he were in trouble. "Just trying to make conversation..."
"Well, choose a different topic then. I don't want to think about him. I don't want to think about the Steel Rangers. I just want to go my own way and find..." I stopped myself, and my body tensed up. Only then, did I realize my hoof was crackling with a soft electricity.
"Find...?" He raised a brow, glancing at my rear hoof.
I shook my head hard. "It doesn't matter. Please just drop it."
"Alright... Consider it dropped..." He hung his head down again.
When the lift brought us back to the surface, we made our way along the concrete path, back for the exit. I noticed the mare from the office earlier, standing right outside of the same room; a lit cigarette hanging between her lips. She seemed to be focused on us. Or maybe she was just looking in our general direction... It was hard to tell. She had a dead, careless stare...
My eyes went down to her flank again... That cutiemark had me intrigued. That ball of fire. I really wanted to know what it meant.
Was her talent light...? Fire...? What was it?
"That's Firefly." Rails went on to say, glancing up from the ground. "A lot of the things that happen here are because of her. This place would've fallen apart long ago if it wasn't for her taking initiative."
"I saw her in an argument with someone else earlier. What was that all about?"
He sighed. "Blitz... The two of them are always fighting. He's trying to keep everything under lockdown. Thinks that Hoofington isn't our problem. She feels differently. So far, we're still moving stuff out east, but Blitz hates it."
"So whose side are you on?"
He looked over and smiled. "Hers. From what I've been hearing, the war in Hoofington regards all life in Equestria, if not all of Equus. Everyone will be affected, no matter which side wins. Therefore, we need to do our part in making sure the right side wins. But Blitz..." He shook his head. "He refuses to look at the bigger picture..."
"But he's not in charge here."
Rails smiled nervously. "D-don't let him hear you say that..."
We stopped a few feet before her, and he spoke, regarding her. "Charger and I finished repairing the gunner car."
She sighed and closed her eyes, taking a long pull off her cigarette. "Thanks, you two. At least now I can sleep with a bit of good news for once."
"What is it this time?" Rails raised a brow as he spoke with annoyance.
She laughed under her breath and shook her head, taking another pull. It's more effective if you just eat them...
"Your loving father believes I should relinquish my power and stand aside, because 'I don't know what I'm doing. That I'm only tearing everything down, and will be a downfall to the NCR.'" She scoffed, then took another pull before continuing her vent. "He pulled the cutiemark card on me again and said my talent was tearing things down. I swear, I don't know what I ever saw in him... The only good he's ever done is help bring you into this world." She smiled faintly and caressed the side of his face with a forehoof.
His father?
Huh...
She continued after taking her hoof away. "I swear, if he keeps this up, I won't be held accountable for what I'm going to do to him..."
Rails sighed and hung his head down. "Just hang in there, mom."
"Believe me, I'm trying. But it's getting to look like it's him or me. Celestia knows he wants me dead as much as I want him six feet under." She regarded me coolly as she took another long pull off her cig, then turned back to her son. "So what's up with you two?"
Rails smiled wanly, looking back up at her. "Charger is taking me back home."
"He has a really bad migraine." I filled in.
"I can only imagine our bickering over power is helping with that." She replied sarcastically, before looking me over again. "You treat my son well, you understand? Or it'll be your balls in my Hearth's Warming tree."
"Uh... what...?" I raised a brow, and Rails blushed.
"Mom, don't say that. We're not... like that..."
"Not like wha..." I froze, realizing what they were talking about. "Oh..." Well, this was awkward...
"Mom, for the last time, I'm not gay."
She smirked, dropped what little remained of her cig, and stomped it out with a hoof. "If you say so." She began to stretch, and in the process, came the series of cracking from her bones. She sighed with a little more relief. "Well, I'm gonna go back in and replace your father's heart medication for Sildenafil, and not doing anything to resolve his erection issue. Should be an eventful night."
Rails rolled his eyes, laughing softly. "That's mean..." He gave her a calm look afterwards and nodded. "Good luck."
She smiled back wanly, giving him that dead-eye'd, yet cool look. For the time I had seen her, her eyelids were always half closed. "Thanks, homo." She gave him a wink, then glanced at me, gave me a brief nod, then turned around and opened the door to the office. She closed it behind her, and we continued on our path to the exit.
"Well, now you met my dysfunctional family."
"At least yours can joke around... kinda. All I have left is my sister, and she's a rapist. Hell, I never even met my mom. Or my dad. Apparently they were killed in combat before I could remember anything. And I recently realized that story is false, in regards to my mom. Still have no clue what happened to my dad."
"Oh..." He looked away. "S-sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"Hey, don't worry about it, man." I smiled forcefully. "It's in the past now."
In the past... Man, wasn't that a lie...?
"Right..."
The rest of the walk to his place was made in silence. Things grew awkward between us after we had left the depot...
His place wasn't too far from the massive structure. When we got to his door, he opened it, turned around, and smiled faintly. I could tell right then and there he was trying to keep himself from passing out.
"Thanks for taking me home, Charger. Hope I see you around more."
I nodded and smiled; this time, with sincerity. "One more thing."
"Yeah?" He smiled back.
"Are you actually gay?" That smile of mine turned into a grin. He wasn't bad looking... and his mom? For a pony at her estimated age, she did good at taking care of herself. Especially under all this stress with her husband. I'd have fooled around a bit with her, there, if she offered.
"I..." His jaw dropped a bit, and he turned bright red. "Uh... I... I mean..." He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head with a hoof as he looked down at mine. "I've... experimented a bit... with one other. But it wasn't really enough experience for me to know for sure." He looked back up at me, smiling nervously. "W-why do you ask...?"
"As a bi-sexual, I was curious." I gave him a wink, turned around, and gave my tail a little flick in his direction after. My rump may have been armored, but it still made him even more flustered than he already was. I chuckled softly and gave him a little nod as I looked back at him. "Rest well, Rails."
"You too, C-Charger." He said with a warm smile as he disappeared behind his door. He seemed to be in a bit of a hurry, and he seemed nervous. I could only imagine what he was getting ready to do behind that door.


(((((((◉)))))))


I opened the front door to Whiskey's house on the side of the bar to see her at the dining table, eating quietly by herself. She seemed a bit bored, but after I pushed the door open and stepped inside, she looked up and smiled faintly.
"You came."
I closed the door behind me with a rear hoof. "Sorry if I'm late. We were trying to finish up the train car."
She nodded quietly, and I approached the dining table and pulled up a seat across from her. "Is it okay if I slip out of my armor?"
"Go ahead." She said with another little nod as she lifted a small glass of whiskey to her lips. She took a few gulps, coughed from the afterburn, then set it back down.
I stripped myself of my gear, put it on top of a wooden chest against the wall, and sat down at the other end of the table. There were some instamash potatoes, carrots, and four fancy buck cakes. I was kind of hoping for some meat, but... food was better than no food. Plus, this did look mighty tasty...
"Looks good." I smiled at her, and she levitated a glass of whiskey over to me after pouring some from a glass bottle. Wild Pegasus. The good stuff.
I took a drink from it before serving myself some of the food that was displayed.
"So, did Thunderwing ever wake up?"
"Only to puke." She replied as her ears folded back, clearly irritated. "And to bitch about how her head felt." She took another gulp from her glass. "Not my problem right now." She set the glass down, smirking as she put a hoof over her belly, licking her lips and closing her eyes. "Mm..." She closed her eyes, clearly satisfied by its warmth. "Gotta love the little things in life..."
"I'll drink to that." I said, raising my glass and taking a large gulp. I shuddered from the afterburn, as I did almost every other time I had alcohol. But hey! I didn't cough that time!
I had spent a few minutes eating the dinner that Whiskey had prepared, before going for another drink. However... my drink appeared to be empty. It wasn't like that earlier...
I swayed in my seat a little bit. The room started to spin, and my mouth was numb. I didn't even remember it going numb. Just, suddenly became numb. Weird... My gut carried a sweet warmth that was almost sickening.
I looked at the bottle of whiskey we had been drinking from, and found that most of it was already gone.
"Thas odd..." I slurred, looking at her. "I dun remember us drunkin' so mush..."
She laughed and shook her head. She was saying something, but my mind couldn't comprehend it. Her words were alien to me.
Time jumped ahead, and in an instant, I was out of my seat to the dining table and in the living room, dancing to some swing music that played on her gramophone.
Holy shit, whoever was shaking the room needed to stop right NOW!
Despite the sickness I was starting to feel, I continued dancing to the fast paced music. I couldn't control myself, or my thoughts! The alcohol was definitely in effect, now.
Whiskey sat on the couch, watching the show I provided, laughing.
I reached out a hoof, feeling myself smile, even through the numb sensation.
"C'mon, whiskey flank! Dance with me!"
I gave her a nickname now?
"No, no." She laughed. "I'm good."
"Ohhhh come on..." I took her hoof in mine and started to pull her out of her seat.
"No!" She shook her head, laughing a little more now. I could tell she was embarrassed. "I'm a horrible dancer!"
The needle of the record player jumped to a different song, and with it, time; our moods.
I was gazing into her eyes as she gazed into mine, smiling. We danced in the same manner that the soft, steady music suggested. Her hooves were wrapped around me, and mine around her.
Before I knew it, time jumped again, and I was back in the dining room, as if I had just been teleported. I witnessed the bottom of a glass that was shortly emptied of burn-throat amber goodness, and beyond that, a ceiling.
I lowered my head after gulping down the glass in one go.
"You good?" I heard Whiskey ask.
I turned around to see her looking at me with a wry smile.
"I'm awesome." I replied with a grin plastered on my face.
There time went again, hitting me more and more with unexpected jumps. Ugh...
Oh, whoa! Okay then!
This time, I was surprised to find myself lying over her; our lips locked with each other, and our tongues meeting. She tasted like whiskey, but I suppose I did too, at this point.
I closed my eyes, taking her embrace.
Fuck, the room was spinning more now than ever...
She pushed deeper into the kiss, and I started to roll off to the side. My initial plan was to swap places; her being on top, and me on bottom.
But my intoxicated mind didn't think that through.
Instead, I rolled off the couch, and seeing as I had a hold of Whiskey, she came with, about to land on top of me.
But time skipped again.
This time, we stayed on the floor. Sweating... Panting... Moaning...
A certain, fun part of me could feel her from the inside. And holy fuck, she felt amazing...
I opened my eyes to get a look at her up there, on me. Her bedraggled, rose colored mane hung over one eye as her horn pointed up at the ceiling. Her back was arched as she bounced up and down.
"Ahh, fuck... Whiskey..."
"Charger..." She moaned out in response, taking my forehoof in hers as she went at it.
I used my free hoof to caress her sweet, amber flank, over the two clinked shot glasses that resembled her cutiemark.
And then she changed.
Changed to Brug Mansia Petiole. Fucking me just like she did with Arum.
Get... get out of my head...
The next second... the next blink of my eyes, her tan coat changed to the same shade as mine. Her white mane changed to the same black as mine. Her violet eyes, to white noise...
She grinned down at me with malice...
Get out of my head.
I closed my eyes, mentally counting to five before opening them again.
The tan coat changed to white. The black mane to a dark blue. The eyes, from static to crimson, and her flank without a cutiemark.
GET OUT OF MY HEAD!
My heart ached... My eyes burned with hot tears as she smiled down at me, enjoying herself.
Suddenly, she stopped, noticing the anguish on my face.
"Hey, what's wrong...?" She asked softly. "Are you okay?"
I closed my eyes, hissing behind clenched teeth as I fought to not cry. I had already gone limp at that point.
"It's nothing..." I muttered, opening my eyes again. I was somewhat satisfied to see Whiskey River sitting atop me again. As much as I loved Snow Star... it hurt too much to see her...
"Hey, you can talk to me..." She caressed the side of my face with her hoof. "What's going on?"
I took a deep, shuddering breath. "I... I miss he-"
And then everything went black. All went silent.
> Channel 001.5; Old Friends, New Faces
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A new face? Strong, but... not perfect. For a nominal fee, Doc Crocker can give you the looks you've only dreamed about before.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Morning came, and I felt as if someone had just performed brain surgery on me without knocking me out, or giving me something for the pain. Hangovers... gotta love 'em...
I groaned in pain; my ears folding back as I turned my head to the side. The surface I was pressed up against was soft, but kinda scratchy, too. I cracked my eyes open to find myself on the couch. Whiskey's couch.
What the fuck happened last night...?
I looked down to see a blanket over my body, and looking down at the floor, a metal bucket. It was filled about halfway with vomit. Guess that explained why my stomach hurt...
I let my head collapse back on the cushion, sighing.
"Fuck... my head..." I muttered groggily.
Sure felt like someone fucked my head... with a crowbar.
"Good morning, Charger." I heard Whiskey say in a soft, caring tone behind the couch. I really didn't want to think about her name right now... It made my stomach turn...
"Don't know about it being good..." I muttered, sitting up and groaning after. Ooo, that head rush though... "But it is a morning."
I looked over to see her smiling faintly as she set down two plates of breakfast at the dining table.
"Eggs are good for the hangover." She stated, sitting down. "So eat." I noticed she hadn't looked at me. Not even a glance...
I removed the blanket, got up, and stumbled over to the seat that awaited me. I sat slouched as I ate.
"Thanks, Whisk."
"Yeah..." She blushed a little, but she wasn't smiling. "Look... Charger... You're a nice guy and all, but... I just don't see you like that. It can't happen between us."
"I get it." I said simply, shrugging as I ate. "We were both pretty drunk last night. Sorry if I overstepped any boundaries."
"No..." She shook her head. "You didn't overstep anything. I had fun. I just didn't want you thinking there was something... more between us?" She looked on with a nervous grin.
"So I was a one night stand." I continued eating the breakfast she had made, all while keeping my eyes down on the plate.
"I... no! I mean... I guess... yeah..." She sighed and covered her face with a hoof. "But that's not what my initial plans were... I genuinely just wanted to hang out."
"Sounds like you have regrets."
"I... I dunno..." I looked up to see her hanging her head down. "I'm sorry about last night, Charger. I didn't know about Snow Star... or Firebright... If I had, I wouldn't have... you know..."
... What. Happened. Last. Night?
"What all did I tell you?" I asked, frowning and taking a break from the food to focus on her.
"Well... you said you were looking for your marefriend, Snow Star. And... you told me what Firebright did to you... The, uh... rape..."
"Hm..."
"I'm sorry I ruined it for you." She looked on with plea in her eyes.
"Honestly..." I looked down at the table. "Snow Star and I had an agreement, where if something happened to the other, that it wasn't wrong to move on with someone else. It's been so long, even if Snow Star is still alive, I doubt we'd still be together. If she is still out there somewhere, and got in with a group of other ponies, then chances are she found somepony else to keep her warm at night... I don't think you ruined anything."
"That... that sounds like the type of thing someone would say if they were giving up."
I shook my head hard, which I realized was a big mistake before it was too late to take it back. Damn hangover...
"I'm not giving up. I'm still going to look for her. If she is with some other stallion, then that's that. The thought hurts like hell, but I'd have closure. I'd know that she was alive, and that she found someone that made her happy. As much as it would kill me, I'd be happy for her. I love her, but I shouldn't fool myself. Sometimes... we just need to move on..." I resented that idea, but I knew I was right. There were just too many variables to this. "Besides... she moved on from me the moment she left..." That frown of mine became a bitter scowl.
She regarded me coolly. "If you're going to be passive aggressive about it, then what's the point?"
"Fuck if I know..." I shrugged, looking down.
"Well..." She paused. "I'm sorry, but I'm not the one for you."
"I know." I replied, looking back up at her once more.
"So there's no hard feelings then?"
"No hard feelings." I smiled faintly.
There was a brief moment of silence between us as we continued to eat our food. She broke it with a smirk as she looked at me.
"Kinda sucks we didn't get to finish our fun last night."
I smiled back, and soon found myself laughing a little. She joined me.
At least the day didn't start out with a bunch of dramatic bullshit. Didn't start out great, either. But it could have been worse.
Shortly after breakfast, there was a knock at the door.
Whiskey stood up and opened it to find Destrier standing there. Alongside him was a hungover Thunderwing, leaning against his armored frame with a bag of ice pressed against her temple. She looked me over, and I guess my physical appearance said a lot.
"You too, huh...?" She muttered groggily.
Destrier looked past Whiskey River, at me. "Caravan's heading back."
"Alright." I said, standing up and gathering my gear. "I'll catch up. Have Rivet wait for me."
Destrier nodded, then started to turn around. "He has your payment for the protection job." With that, the two of them were gone. I could hear Thunder's groans of discomfort gradually fade.
Whiskey closed the door and walked back to me. "Guessing I won't be seeing you for a while." She said quietly.
"Maybe. If I find myself around these parts again, I'll stop by."
She nodded with a faint smile. "It was nice to meet you, Charger. Glad someone understands me for a change. Even a little." She reached out a hoof, requesting a hug in a timid manner.
I wrapped my hoof around her and gave her what she wanted. She wasn't as firm as I was with my embrace, though.
"We had sex, whiskey flank." I said softly into her ear, which flicked my muzzle once the message was out there. I laughed under my breath and continued. "No need to be awkward about a hug."
She laughed softly in my ear and squeezed a little tighter before letting go.
I dressed into my armor, made an inventory check, and looked back at her. "See ya around, whiskey flank." I prodded at her chest, to which she giggled.
"See ya... Charger Surge Outlet."
Oh GODDESS FUCKING DAMN IT! She knew too!?
How much did I have to drink last night!?
"R-right..." I planted my face in my hoof and sighed. "Well... I should really start heading out before I say more embarrassing shit about my life."
She laughed under her breath. "It's really not that bad, but I understand you gotta go. Reckon I oughta open my bar for the NCR drunkies, anyways."
I gave her one last smile before I headed out.
The smoke from the fires were still there, and it was still snowing ash. I wondered how long this was going to last. It was starting to get really hot out, even from where I was standing.
Rivet landed next to me suddenly, causing me to jump back from the surprise.
"Ready to head out?" He asked, looking me over. "Fuck, you look like a train wreck."
"I feel like one, too." I smiled. "But yeah, I'm ready to g-"
"There you are." The familiar voice of a mare said from behind, towards the depot. I turned around to see Firefly trotting up to us; A lit cigarette hovering beside her. She wore a set of saddlebags, but I could still see her cutiemark. I still couldn't figure out what her talent was... "I'm glad I caught you before you left." She said as she stopped before me.
Uh oh... Was I in trouble...? She didn't really seem like the type of pony to mess with... Especially with that threat she threw at me involving my testicles and a Hearth's Warming Tree...
One of the bags glowed with the aura of her magic, and the flap folded back. She pulled out a rather large pouch, along with a piece of paper.
"Here's your payment for the repairs you did last night." She moved in a little closer, smiling faintly as she spoke in a lower volume. "I threw in a little bonus, cause I heard how well you and my son got along. He doesn't get many friendly faces around here, and he's been depressed lately, so I'm glad you gave him something good."
"T-thanks..." I replied cautiously.
She stuffed the pouch in one of my bags, along with the paper. It turned out to be the contract for the repairs, which had a red stamp on it, reading 'rectified.'
She took a pull off her cig and continued. "If you ever need more work, we have more than enough to go around."
"I'll take that into consideration." I nodded. "How come Rails doesn't have a whole lot of friends around here?"
She let out an exasperated sigh and shook her head, looking exhausted just at the thought. "Cause he's the son of two leaders of the compound that they're working on. Even worse, is the constant fighting. They don't want to get involved, and personally, I can't blame them. Even without the fighting, he wouldn't have any friends. That just seems to always be the way, for some reason. Pick on the child of the ponies that are in charge. Makes total sense..." She cracked a smile as she regarded me, then pulled me in for a brief hug. "Thank you." She started to turn around and head back.
"One more thing."
Rivet rolled his eyes, but remained quiet.
She paused and looked back with a raised brow.
"What's your cutiemark mean? I can't for the life of me figure it out."
She held her very faint smile and faced me directly once more. After taking another long pull off her cigarette, she started. "I come up with bright ideas. I specialize in pyro magic. I'm good at burning down the foundations of order. Really, it's all open to interpretation. Now, if you're going to stare at my flank, don't use the cutiemark as an excuse." She smirked as her tail flicked upward, and I began turning a dark shade of red. Ah, damn it... Well, she was very attractive...
"I... I don't think that last one is true." I said, trying to change the subject. "Goddess forbid there be a downfall to this place, I don't think you're the one to be the catalyst. From what I hear, you're the one keeping it up and running."
She looked at me for a few quiet seconds with a blank expression, before giving me a brief nod. "Hope to see you around again, kid."
Then she turned and left.


(((((((◉)))))))


The trip back was exhausting, but along the way, at the checkpoint, we crossed paths with the caravan that was enroute to the depot with the next batch of supplies for Hoofington. We greeted each other, and the caravaneer that hauled the goods thanked whoever left the message at the checkpoint.
I didn't know what that meant, but I assumed Destrier was the one behind it.
They had given us confirmation that the caravan before us made it back safely. Thankfully...
When we reached the entrance to the tunnel of the checkpoint, where we had our stand off against the ferals, I took notice to the message the caravan was referring to. It was written in the blood and intestines of ghouls, reading 'DON'T ENTER, FERALS INSIDE.'
"As if the hundred plus body count wasn't a dead give-away." I stated with a deadpan, looking over at Destrier.
"Puns?" Rivet raised a brow. "Really?"
... Huh. Didn't realize I had made a pun... Heh... That was a good one...
We took a break at the Donut Joe restaurant for a long while, as we were all cramping at that point. Fours hours of trekking can do that.
Most of my break was spent smoking half of a cig, eating the rest, and examining the weird powder in the plastic container that was meant for me, and me alone. I couldn't begin to fathom what it was... If it was even dangerous or not. All I could do was assume. And that assumption kept the container sealed tight. I wasn't going to take my chances. Not until Petiole studied it first. Surely he could find something out with his weird science fetish. White Noise didn't believe in sides, so I didn't know if this was to help me, or hurt me in some way.
By the time we had made it back to Virtue, the sun was already tucking itself underneath the horizon.
"Fuck..." Thunderwing said as she stretched her hindquarters out. "If anyone needs me, I'll be at Decon 6." She flapped her wings a few times before taking to the skies.
"Decon 6?" I asked, raising a brow.
"Virtue's spa." Blaze replied.
"Honestly..." His lover started. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea right about now." He nuzzled Blaze, stretched his wings, and took off after Blaze gave him a quick kiss on his muzzle. He turned to the remaining party.
"Don't know about the lot of you, but I'm gonna catch some zzzs." He nodded just before trotting away. "Night."
"Goodbye." Destrier said, walking in a different direction.
The caravaneer was already taking leave without so much as a word. He didn't really seem like the social type anyways.
Then there were two.
I looked over at Rivet, rubbing the back of my head with a nervous grin. "So... you wanna grab a drink or somethin'?"
He regarded me with a flat, unamused expression. "Not with you. I'm your bodyguard. Not your friend. You're nothing more than a constant supply of caps." He reached into his bags, pulled out a sack that was double the size of the previous, then tossed it at my chest. I grunted, and upon impact, my hoof flared up with red, electrical current. The sack fell in the mud, and some of the caps spilled out. "I'm out. Bye." He took to the air before I could say anything.
Oh, I was NOT letting him have the last word! I glared up at him, raised a hoof to the sky, and shouted as loud as my voice would let me. "YEAH, FUCK YOU TOO, YOU GREEDY SON OF A BITCH! AT LEAST I HAVE FRIENDS!"
That earned me a few looks from the ponies in the vicinity, but I didn't care. With my metal hoof crackling like crazy, I gathered up the caps that spilled out and put both them and the sack in my bag with the other, before taking off for the motel.
I opened the door to our room; my mood now ruined from that stupid griffin. But that mood quickly went from angry to slightly amused at what I found inside.
Para was wiping white paint on Fluky's face, who sat there before him, smiling. Little Buddy was sitting beside him, and Petiole was leaned back in the chair I caught Happy in when I first walked in. He was checking the scope on a rifle he had acquired.
I noticed that Para had also changed his wardrobe. The straw hat was upgraded to a black stetson, and the jacket was replaced with a black one; still with as many pockets as before. The sleeves were red.
Simultaneously, the three of them turned to look who walked in, and I was greeted with two smiles. Petiole was still hiding behind his mask. Typical.
"You're back!" Para said happily.
"I'm back." I smiled back at them. "Seems I missed a lot while I was away."
"It's good to see you again, Robutt." Fluky responded with sincerity. Her face was white, while the rest of her coat was still yellow.
I stepped in and closed the door behind me, stripping myself of my gear after. "It feels good to be back, believe me." I set my gear down next to the bed and looked over at Petiole, nodding him over.
He nodded back and stood up, to which I discovered he had the same arm attachment for his shoulder and rifle that I did. He calmly walked over as Para happily continued smearing white paint on Fluky's coat.
"What's the problem?" He asked quietly, inches from my muzzle.
I slipped the container out and held it between us. "I need you to study this. Analyze it, figure out what it is."
"What is it?" He looked down at it.
I let out an exasperated sigh and planted my hoof over my face. Damn it, Petiole... you did not just ask that...
"I don't know. That's why I need you to analyze it. It was found on the streets, on the way to the depot. There was a note underneath it that had my name on it. So I really need to know what it is..." Not to mention I had some demon trying to get me to open it...
"Consider it done." He took the container and slipped it into one of his bags. "Now I need to tell you something. Walk with me." He started for the door, and I hesitantly followed.
We left the room, and he closed the door behind us, turned to me, and continued.
"I did the analysis on Para. Fluky, even." He started messing with his pipbuck, and soon enough, two audio files were delivered to mine. "Listen to them in your own time, but be warned... Para is not what he seems... Be careful around him..."
I looked up from my screen, into his visor. "What did he say to you...?"
He stared back for the longest time, in eerie silence, before replying. "Find out for yourself."
With that, he opened the door again and stepped inside. I followed him in and closed the door, heading straight for the bed. I fell back, letting my back press into its soft, welcoming surface. Felt great to be back...
Oh. Another pun. Heh... Woops!
Oddly enough, I didn't hear the radio playing any music. I looked over to see it was still on, so that was relieving. Happy wasn't out and about.
Petiole was back to checking the sights on his new gun as he sat back in his seat.
Things were quiet in the room for a while.
I sat up on the bed, and at once, noticed Petiole aiming the barrel of the rifle directly at me. My heart stopped in my chest for a moment. What was this...?
I frowned. "You aim that thing at me, you better know how to pull the trigger, ghoul."
He chuckled softly. "Maybe someday. Cure or kill, after all." He aimed the gun away from me and looked down at Fluky. Para was working on painting her chest now. "Para, don't paint all of her."
"Awwww, but it's fun!" He pouted, but kept painting.
"Yeah, come on!" Fluky started, looking at him with pleading eyes.
"I don't want you sleeping in that stuff." He looked back at her. "It can be toxic."
"So can you, Petiole." I smirked as he spun his head around at me.
"Good way to get shot."
"I call bullshi-"
Before I could finish my sentence, something smacked me across the cheek. Hard. Whatever it was dropped down on the mattress, right in front of me.
It was a pebble painted white...
I looked over at Para to see him shaking his head at me in disapproval.
Ugh... not this pebble thing again...
Petiole continued to stare me down through his visor; his LEDs red. "Don't become a ghoul, or your sentence will start early. And become summary."
I sighed, ready for a topic change. I looked over at Para. "So where are you getting this paint?"
"Oh, it's not paint." He grinned, still keeping his eyes on his work. "It's Para Approved Dye."
"Hey, you said it wasn't going to be permanent." Petiole stated. "Dye is permanent. You lied."
"Glide?" He frowned and looked at the stubs of his wings, which wiggled a little bit. "I don't glide. I can't even fly."
Petiole stared at him for a while, before hanging his head down in defeat. "I give up with you..."
"You give up with chew?" Para's face lit up with joy. "Well, good for you! Stay away from tobacco, I say!"
"I don't chew tobacco."
He paused, thinking to himself for a bit. "So... you don't chew tobacco... So you give up on chewing food? Well, I'd be more careful with eating, if I were you..."
Petiole shook his head, stood up, and made his way for the door. "I'm going out for a walk. Charger, if you need me, track my pipbuck tag."
"Wait!" Para reached a hoof out to him as he looked over at the ghoul, who had just opened the door. "If you have trouble swallowing the food, then down a bar of butter first! It should help things slide down so much easier!"
Petiole closed the door behind him without saying a word, and Para turned to me with a worried expression. His ears folded back. "Do you think he heard me...?"
I nodded slowly. "Yes, Para. He heard you."
He sighed and smiled faintly after a few seconds. "Phew! That's a relief." He resumed painting Fluky white, as if nothing had happened.
"I'm no expert, but I don't think that's how dyes generally work..." I stated, examining her coat. "The color comes in only after it's washed out, doesn't it?"
"Ah, but this is Para-Approved." He raised a hoof halfway, grinning with confidence. "It's instant. No need for rinsing, no burns. It's clean, and it's quick."
"So you've used it before, then?" I raised a brow, regarding him.
"I..." He paused, thinking to himself. "I... can't seem to remember... I think so...? Maybe I did in a dream...?" He looked down at the filly, completely baffled and confused. I didn't know what to make of that... "Huh..." Finally, he shrugged and continued. "Oh well. It doesn't matter."
"Well... just be careful with her, alright?" I rolled off the bed and started to head for the door. "I'm gonna go for a bit of a walk myself."
"If you see Petty Old, remind him to swallow a bar of butter before eating anything! He gave up on chewing, after all!"
"I don't think that's what he said..." Fluky stated softly.
"Yeah, Para. I'll... tell him..." I walked out, shaking my head. "Fuckin' weirdo." That was too much crazy for me in such short notice.
"I'm... sorry...?"
I looked to my right to find Shadow Hoof standing there with a puzzled look.
I smiled faintly and shook my head. "It's nothing. Good to see you again."
"Likewise... I think." He gave me a brief nod. "So, you finished your business at the station then, huh?"
I nodded. "Yep."
"Sounds like good, honest work." He smiled and patted me on the shoulder. He was still awkward about things, but he seemed to be coming out of his shell a bit more.
"Do you wanna grab a drink with me?" I asked, before looking around. "Is there a bar anywhere around here?"
"Oh, I don't drink..." He started blushing. "I try to keep my mind fresh and in control of itself. But we do have a club just down the street."
"A club?" I grinned happily. "Hell yeah! Let's go dance then!"
"Oh, I don't dance..." He smiled sheepishly.
I immediately scowled at his reply, to which he continued.
"I'm bad at it."
"Pfft, so what?" I nudged his chest with a hoof. "So am I. Doesn't mean we can't have fun!"
He rolled his eyes and smiled. "Well... alright. I'll go. But I don't know about dancing..."
"You'll change your mind." I walked past him, giving his flank a smack with my tail. He gasped and turned bright red at the contact, and I chuckled softly to myself. It was far too fun to tease.


(((((((◉)))))))


"Heyyy..." I started, narrowing my eyes as I looked around the room that I had built too much excitement for. It was too still here... "I thought you said this was a club..." Nopony danced, no one seemed to be having fun... Probably because no one was here!
"I... guess everyone's been busy with the shipments to Hoofington. Usually, this place is packed."
"Newsflash." I looked around at the few Handy units that hovered behind the counter. My gut jolted at the sight of them. My memory of buzzsaws had been drilled into my head, cause it was as if my thoughts were feeling it all over again. They didn't seem hostile though, and there was no red on my E.F.S. I kept my eyes on them regardless. "It's not."
I started for the bar.
"Hey, where're you going?"
I glanced back with a smirk. "We came here to have fun, didn't we? So let's get on with it! I wanna rock out with my cock out!"
"O-oh my..." I heard Shadow Hoof whisper behind me.
I grinned before stopping at the bar, and laid a forehoof down on the surface as I looked at one of the units that seemed eerily fixated on me.
"Two shots of whiskey." I nodded my head behind me. "This guy's payin'."
"Hey, what?" He balked as he moved to my side.
"Don't worry. I'll pay you back." I said, smiling sincerely. "I didn't exactly bring my caps with me..."
He sighed, rolled his eyes grudgingly, and dropped some caps on the counter.
The shot glasses were set down before us, and we watched as they were filled with that sweet, burning amber.
"Down the hatch, sailor." I lifted my glass, and he hesitantly lifted his with his magic. He seemed to struggle with his horn a bit, for some reason, cause the glass dropped from his telekinetic grasp a few times before he caught it again.
We clinked glasses, and I downed mine in two gulps. He started sipping on his before coughing.
"Ah..." I moved forward and pressed my muzzle against the bottom of his glass, making him drink it all in one go. He protested, but only vocally.
"Wa-gak! Urk! Glk." He didn't pull away, though.
"There's a reason we call them shots, love. Cause we drink them... in one shot."
He coughed and shuddered excessively after the glass was pulled away, and he set it down, giving me a sour, bitter look. "W-whoa... Geez, that's rough..."
"Just the way I like it." I winked and looked back at the bartender. "Give us 'nother two!" I blurted as I raised my hoof triumphantly.
"Wait, more!?" He balked again.
"Damn right, more! Gonna show you how to party, Charger style!"
He rolled his eyes with annoyance and put more caps down. "This is how you hate yourself in the morning, Charger..."
My smile faded at the tone in his voice... He wasn't having fun...
"Hey..." I gently placed a hoof on his shoulder, and he looked over as our shots were getting filled. "Tell you what... After this, we can do something you want, okay? It can be anything." I looked over at the machine that still made me feel a little uneasy. It didn't help that it had a buzzsaw, too... "Give, uh... Um..." I froze; my eyes fixated on that polished, circular saw on the end of its arm. Fuck, my gut...
Something touched my shoulder, and I flinched, spinning towards...
Shadow Hoof. A worried, startled Shadow Hoof.
I took a deep breath, finally remembering how to breathe again, and shook my head, keeping my eyes away from the Handy unit altogether.
"Give my friend a Sparkle Cola for a chaser..."
The arms began to rotate, causing me to jolt away from the counter a bit. The buzzsaw was getting closer, and I wasn't having that...
I jumped back, gasping as the saw stopped in front of me. I bit down on air, instead of the bit to my rifle, trying to shoot the metal thing before me. My heart pounded in my chest...
"Hey, you okay...?" Shadow asked softly.
I looked over, trying to gulp down my fear, and nodded back at him with a forced smile. "Mhm..."
The clasp grabbed a hold of the neck of a regular cola bottle, brought it back around, and set it down before him. It twisted off the cap soon after, and Shadow Hoof tossed down a couple more of his own bottle caps for the soda, before smiling at me.
"Well, it sounds like a good deal to me." He finally replied. "I accept. And uh... maybe we can party out with our cocks out?" He grinned sheepishly, starting to blush.
I grinned back, trying to forget about the buzzsaws and throw them into the part of my brain that housed my deep, dangerous thoughts. "I'll drink to that..." We clinked glasses again, before downing our whiskey.
He coughed and shuddered, but quickly went for the chaser straight after, gulping down about a quarter of the bottle.
Mmm... Good gag reflexes...
He shook his head and laughed under his breath. "W-wow, that stuff's strong..."
"You don't have to drink anymore, if you don't want to."
Hic! "Yeah, maybe we shoul-hic!-ugh... should stop. Feelin'... hic! ... it..." He began to sway in his seat a little bit.
Okay, either he was a really bad lightweight, or he couldn't tell the difference between being buzzed and being drunk. Still, I got some humor out of it.
"Alright, let's get you back to your place." I stood up and helped him off his stool.
He smiled at me faintly after he got down, and we began to make our way back.
Wasn't the most fun I've had, but I guess I'd just have to find a different drinking buddy... and a bar where the bartenders weren't Handy units... Thunderwing sounded like a good match.
"Gosh, I'm such a hic! wreck..." He said as we left the building and walked the streets. "I'm hic! boring, aren't I...?"
I shook my head in a calm manner. "No, you're not boring. A bit nervous, but not boring."
"I feel...hic!... boring..." He hung his head down and groaned as we walked side by side. I sighed and patted him on the back.
"Let's get you home."


(((((((◉)))))))


"You do realize you're not drunk, right?" I said as I watched him stumble over to his bed, mumbling to himself.
We were in the same room I had first seen him come out of. Bookshelves were lined up all along the walls of what was clearly his bedroom, filled with classic literature, as well as more modern day works. Stuff like how to survive in the wasteland, and how to cook food out in said wasteland.
He seemed to keep things well organized too, as I noticed the fiction was kept separate from the non-fiction, and everything was kept in alphabetic order, going by the author's first and last name, and then the title of the book.
"Huh...?" He spun around and looked me over, before collapsing on his bed and groaning. "I feel so weird..."
I shook my head and stepped forward. "Just get some rest, then."
Within a few seconds, he was already snoring.
... Alright, then...
I put his blanket over his body, up to his neck, then went for the restroom that I had spotted in his place of residence, just down a short hall that was connected to his bedroom. I came back with a metal bucket. There were two there, and judging by the condition of one of them, it was meant to relieve ones bowel movements. I wasn't touching that...
I set the clean bucket down beside his bed. Now if he, for some reason, started puking, it wouldn't get all over the place. I also made sure to keep him on his side and fortified his back against the wall, so he wouldn't choke on any vomit in the middle of the night. 
I watched over him for a short while, but he was out like a light. There was no real reason to stick around anymore, so I showed myself out and locked his office up, just in case someone got the idea to rob him.
This place seemed peaceful enough, but... it was better to be safe, rather than sorry.
I went back to our room to find that Fluky was painted completely white, with a black and red mane and tail. I had no idea where the red eye contacts came from...
And she had a cutiemark now. Two playing cards; An ace and a queen.
Para looked over with a wide grin on his face, pointing both forehooves at her, giving her the spotlight as he stood on his hind legs with absolutely no trouble at all. Odd how he was able to do something like that... "Lookie here, Churger! I made us a mini Blackjack!"
I didn't even know what Blackjack looked like, but he claimed he was in Hoofington at one point. Perhaps he had met her once.
Wait... didn't he say something about a security mare kicking him out during a card game, once...? It could have just been my imagination, or maybe just a strong coincidence... Blackjack wasn't the only security mare out there, obviously. I imagined there was a lot of security out in the wasteland.
Fluky smiled up at me. "How do I look?"
"You look good, Flukes." I smiled back, but she quickly frowned and stomped a hoof.
"Stop calling me that!"
I chuckled in response. "Stop calling me Robutt."
"Never!"
"Then I'll never stop calling you Flukes. No one's winning here... Flukes."
She turned bright red with fuming anger and frustration as I grinned.
Shortly after, she closed her eyes and shook her head rapidly. "Agh!" She sat on her haunches and pouted. "Stupid Robutt!"
I closed the door behind me and sat on the bed, looking over at Para.
"So how did we get all this stuff, anyways?"
He smiled at me before replying. "Turns out Vroom Chu needed help counting nuggets."
"Vroom Chu?" I raised a questioning brow.
"So who better to do the job than me?" He pointed a hoof at his chest happily. "They paid me, so I bought some stuff." He began to reach into one of his jacket pockets. "By the way, I found this."
The object in his hoof glowed white.
"The merchant said it was found on a sleeping baddie just north of here, and I remember a baddie taking one of these off you, so I wanted to replace the one that was lost. They're so pretty... and so warm." He gently rolled it over to me along the floor, and I set a hoof down on it before it could roll underneath the bed.
The raider called it a memory orb before pocketing it. I didn't know how I could get into it, though. I was an earth pony.
Could this even be the same orb that was taken from me? The one labeled as 'Happy?' A part of me really hoped that was the case... I needed to know what I was dealing with...
I slipped it into the pouch on my barding for later. I'd try and figure something out.
"-addle fires are spreading to the outskirts." Tuner started abruptly. "Let's hope they burn themselves out, or somepony out there has a good heart and works on trying to take it out before it gets too out of control. Even then, it's going to take more than just one pair of hooves to deal with this. A lot more."
"Ugh..." Para shook his head, messing with the volume dial. "I think the dial on this is broken. It keeps turning itself up."
"I thought you liked music..." I stated, narrowing my eyes at him.
"I do, but I got this massive headache, and I'm trying to get rid of it." He began rubbing his temples with the tips of both forehooves.
"There's an interesting story behind these fires." Tuner continued. "See, it all started with one pony. One became two. Two became three. One got lost, and another took his place. The trio remained underground, where the beasts of nightmares waited. They sought to destroy hell, and all that came with it, and so they went to the heart of the beast, and destroyed it. They ran after that. Ran as the raging fires of hell chased after them. They made it out by the skin of their teeth, but the fires escaped with them, and at once, began the consumption of Saddle."
I sat up quickly and grabbed the radio from Para.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
I looked at him and paused as Tuner kept talking about my friends and I. "Uh... just gonna try and fix it. Don't worry. I'll bring it back. Promise." With that, I stepped into the bathroom and locked the door behind me.
"Tuner."
"And their names are Charger."
"Tuner, stop."
"Fluky."
"Tuner, I know you can hear me!" I gave the radio a smack, and he stopped.
"Ahem... yes, Charger?"
"What the fuck are you doing? Are you actually broadcasting out to the wasteland? Or are you just playing around with us?"
"I was broadcasting. Until you rattled my cage, that is." He sounded mildly frustrated.
I balked. "Are you insane? The wrong ponies can hear that, and I already have a ton on my plate!" I was starting to shout in my own frustration of this whole situation.
"Oh yes." Happy started. "You do. Because you're important, and important ponies always have a lot on their plate. They have jobs. Important jobs. I'm sure you already know yours by now. You need only act on it."
"Get out of here." I glared down at the radio. "I'm not talking to you. Put Tuner back on."
"Oh, he stepped out for a little while. I think he said something about getting a pack of smokes."
Bullshit... "What do you want?" I snapped. My ears folded back, and my hoof lit up in a red electrical current. "Why are you talking to me?"
"Why wouldn't I? You and I have the same goal. Relieve ponies of their pain. And win. We can win, and make others happy. I can make you happy."
"Shut up."
"I can take away the pain of your home. I know what your sister did to you. Tuner talks too much."
"Shut up!" I gave the radio another whack, and the electricity grew.
There was a sudden knock at the door, and I tensed up.
"You okay in there?" Fluky asked.
"Uh, y-yeah!" I shouted, looking back at the door. "I'm fine!" I looked back to the radio and spoke in a lower voice, sitting down. My hoof mildly subsided the electrical current. It was a relief it didn't ever target my body. In fact, it seemed to avoid my body entirely. Never to burn or scar me. It always wrapped around my mass whenever it got too close. I was starting to notice that now.
"You're not going to kill anyone, Happy. I'll make sure that you stay in there, where you can't hurt anyone anymore."
"Ugh..." Tuner groaned. "Sorry about that... Happy gained control for a bit."
I sighed and closed my eyes, calming myself. My hoof only buzzed and crackled softly now.
"I do have to say, though... I think you and P-21 would have gotten along quite well. Maybe even become more than just friends."
"Who the hell is P-21?" I raised a brow, frowning as I asked in an exasperated tone.
"Blackjack's friend. You two share something common."
"And what's that?"
"Females took advantage of him, too. Threatened to have him killed if he didn't do what he demanded. I also think that you could learn something from him."
"I have a lot to learn." I stated simply, caressing the frame of my metal hoof with a fore. Still felt weird having... and off-putting, not being able to feel the contact through my Tungstian appendage. But the pain was gone, at least. Healed nicely, considering...
"You certainly do. And one of those lessons is forgiveness. Acceptance. He forgave Blackjack, who did a lot of damage over the years. Accepted it. It took time, but maybe you should try and forgive your sister."
I quickly stood up, already feeling the anger build up again. With it, came the sudden outburst of electricity. "Are. You. Insane?" My voice started to raise once more. "She took everything from me, Tuner! Everything!"
"Maybe so. But Virtue is about forgiveness, isn't it? Forgive others. Not because they deserve it, but because you deserve peace. Because you deserve happiness."
"Easy for you to say..." I muttered, really wanting to change the topic. "Why does Para have a migraine?" I asked grumpily.
"Something's coming. And Happy knows it. He wants to finish what he started, but I've been doing what I can to prevent him from getting back in his body. Hence the migraine you mentioned."
I froze for a brief second, staring down at the device. "What's coming?"
I didn't get a reply. I knew why...
I shook my head, more frustration building. "Okay, fine... Then answer me this. Does Para need to have the radio on him to keep Happy away? Or can the radio just be around him?"
"It can be around, but it works better, the closer it is to him."
"Noted." I grabbed the radio, still looking down at it. My hoof had gone cold again. Phew... "I'd prefer it if you didn't hurt Para anymore."
"Sorry. I don't meant to. But Happy is making it rather difficult for me..."
I nodded somberly. "Don't let him out..."
"Doing my best not to."
I opened the door and stepped out. Fluky was giving me a weird look of worry and confusion, but I gave her a faint smile.
"Hey."
"Are you SURE you're okay? I heard you talking to yourself in there. And it started to sound like fighting..." She took a glance at the bathroom behind me, leaning to the side a bit.
"I'm fine. I was just trying to fix the radio, and it was being stubborn." I put the radio beside Para and looked at him, who was still rubbing his temple. "You'll be okay, Para. Promise." I gave him a reassuring smile, and a pat on the back, to which he looked at me and gave me a beaming smile. His forearms spread out wide, and he gave me the most body crushing hug I had ever felt! Agh, fuck! Damn, he was strong!
I tapped on his back, gasping for breath. I felt my back pop! Though, that didn't really hurt. Felt good, actually.
Shortly after picking up my signals, he let go, still giving me that endearing grin. "You're such a nice friend."
I chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the back of my head. "Don't know about that, but I try..."
He looked down at the radio for a few seconds, and that smile faded to distaste. He picked it up and shoved it against my chest.
Oof...
I quickly took it with both forehooves, staying upright on my haunches as I looked at him in confusion; my ears wilting.
"You take it for a little while. I don't want it around. The frequency hurts..."
Uh... okay. It was kinda hard to tell if it was Para saying that sincerely, or if Happy was reaching out to me again. Regardless, I hugged the radio close to my chest as I walked for the bed. If I was going to hold on to the battery, I needed to stay close to Para.
"Wake me if you need anything."


(((((((◉)))))))


That night, I appeared to be restless.
Wooden floorboards creaked in the dead of night, which didn't help. It made me paranoid, more than anything... Wondering if it was a pony lurking about, or just the wind...
Para and Fluky were fast asleep. She was lying atop his stomach, snuggled up close. Para had his hooves wrapped around her like a teddy bear, which was somewhat amusing, seeing as she was also snuggling the teddy bear she got from 32. I found it rather adorable.
I had no idea where Petiole was, anymore. Hopefully on patrol or something...
I stared up at the dark ceiling above me after what felt like hours of just lying there. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't stop thinking. A lot of the thoughts weren't even important. It mostly consisted of small things, or small little stories I was telling myself. Stuff that made no sense. I was bored as hell...
I looked at the radio to my left for a short while, finally, taking in the dim, amber glow in the small, dirty glassed frame that housed the needle.
I sighed, looked back up at the ceiling, then got up, leaving the radio on the mattress. If I couldn't get some shut eye, then maybe some fresh air would have done me some good.
I stepped out quietly, as to not wake the others, then closed the door with the same care that I had used in opening it.
I sat down on the front porch, leaned up against one of the wooden support beams, looking out at the still night. The sky was black. No stars were to be seen this night. The air carried a mild warmth behind its breeze, and the scent of burning wood still remained.
I pulled out a cig, lit the end, and took a pull before operating my pipbuck. Now was as good a time as any to check on the analysis files that Petiole had made for me.
The files were simply named after my friends. I clicked on the first one, which was Fluky. Though I don't think she considered me a friend, I know I considered her one.
It was hard to tell with just two files here, but it was listed in alphabetical order so far. I could only assume the pipbuck would be doing all the organizing for me.
Petiole's voice started, and I made sure to keep the volume down a little. I didn't want to disturb anyone.
"Tell me about yourself."
"Well, you already know my name." Fluky stated.
"Say it for the recording."
She sighed. "Fluky."
"How old are you?"
"12."
"Do you know any magic?"
"No... not really. I try to teach myself, but... I guess I'm just a slow learner."
"Charger feels differently."
"He's an earth pony." She spoke with distaste. "He doesn't know what he's talking about."
There was a brief moment of silence between the two, before Petiole sighed. "How did you two meet?"
There was another moment of silence, before she replied quietly. My heart was starting to race... I knew how much she despised me for what I did. I knew she saw me as a monster... And now she had told Petiole. She had-
"He saved me." She stated in a soft, careful tone.
I... wasn't expecting that...
"He saved me..." She reiterated. "... And a part of me hates him for it..."
"Why?"
"Cause I'd have preferred dying with the rest of my friends and family than being the one he decided to rescue. I can still hear them screaming..." Her voice began to shake. "I don't... I don't want to hear them anymore... I need it to be over... I want to die..."
I quickly turned the file off. My hooves were trembling, and I was shuddering under my breath. Tears burned at my eyes. Not for what I did... but for how she felt, deep down... It was my fault she felt like this... I became my sister... I had ripped everything Fluky ever loved, right out of her arms. And she had to listen to all of them die...
"Damn i-" I muttered before my throat gave out, forcefully swallowing as a reflex. Tears slid down my face. "No..." I closed them and began taking deep breaths. Deep, slow breaths of oxygen that I had no business taking for myself. I was better off dead... I was a murderer, even before Saddle...
But... if I got my wish, and I died, then everyone I murdered would have died for nothing... Right? All those unicorns back at the bunker that I tortured... They were all just means to an end for my own benefit. To gain the trust of the tyrants known as the Steel Rangers. To gain their trust until I found my opportunity to run and track down Snow Star. But even when I had my opportunity, I stuck around to assist in the massacre of Saddle...
I was so used to killing helpless ponies, that it had become second nature for me. It was what I was good at... And at that time, I didn't see my opportunity. I didn't want to. Hence my hesitation before joining the rangers in the killing. A part of myself knew that... Knew that I didn't have to... That I could run... Some small part of me knew... Run like a coward...
But I had shut it out anyways...
Because for me, killing was second nature... It was the natural order of things for me to murder... I had become the ranger's weapon. My plan to escape was so convoluted, but after a few victims, I was starting to get better at not caring... It was them or me... And I chose me...
Throughout those years, my plans had started becoming distorted, and there were times that I forgot why I was doing it...
I was a natural born killer...
It was second nature...
And so a demon had convinced me to start killing Saddle's inhabitants...
A demon named Charger...
And after all these years, I was only recently starting to realize how much I was destroying... How much I destroyed Fluky, among oh so many others...
I shook my head, opened my eyes, and looked at the screen through my obscured vision, courtesy of the tears I wept for the deceased. The deceased who covered my hooves in their own blood, and haunted me in nightmares.
I hesitantly clicked on Para's file, hissing behind clenched teeth and shuddering behind more tears that threatened to give way.
Music played in the background.
"Can you turn that down?" Petiole asked aloud in an annoyed tone. "I'm trying to talk to you. It's rude."
"I need it on."
"Fine, then turn it down, at least."
"Awwwww, but I like this song!"
"Para." Petiole rasped, before coughing and hacking violently.
"Alright, alright!" The volume was lowered, and Petiole began to calm down.
"Now..." The ghoul began. "Why can't you turn it down? Why does it need to stay on?"
"Well, whenever I turn it off, I fall asleep. When I wake up, bad things have happened..."
"What bad things?"
"Messy things..." Para muttered in shame.
"Murder?"
"Burger?" Para asked. "Oh, no thanks. I just ate." Judging by how he sounded right there, I imagined he was beaming at Petiole with that impossibly white grin of his.
Petiole took a deep breath before resuming. His patience was clearly being put to the test. "Why do you have trouble understanding others?"
"Bubble understanding brothers? Pfft, you're weird."
"Are. You. Deaf?" Petiole asked emphatically.
A few seconds of silence occurred, before Petiole resumed.
"Say it for the recording."
"I don't really know. Sometimes things seem quieter than they should. And there's times I get this really bad ringing in my ears."
"It's probably because you blast music so close to your ear drums." Petiole spoke in clear distaste of that part of him. "I'll take a look at that later."
Para suddenly gasped. "There's drums in my ears!? Oh man, I knew I was made for music!"
There was some movement, shortly followed by an annoyed Petiole. "Have you ever suffered any trauma? Specifically to the head?"
"Not that I know of."
"Does your family have a history of mental disorders?"
"Family...?" Para's voice got quiet at that moment.
"Your mother or father?"
"Not... sure..."
There was a brief moment of silence. "Tell me about your wings. Or lack of... What happened to them?"
"I... I woke up like this..."
"You woke up with your wings gone?"
"Y-yeah... They were already wrapped up... But they still hurt when I woke up... For the first time..."
"Where did you wake up?" Petiole resumed.
"Near a bunker. It was abandoned, though."
"Where was this bunker located?"
"To the east. Near Hoofington."
"Was there anything else over there?"
"... A battery..."
"Battery?"
"It's... nng... It's powering my... powering... my... Agh!"
His groans and shouts of pain were a little unsettling, but what really had me concerned was the heavy thud of a body, shortly after.
"Para? Are you okay?"
"Para isn't here anymore." Happy replied.
"... And who are you?"
"Oh, our paths have crossed before, Petiole. I must say, though... It certainly has been a while."
"How do you know my name? Who are you?"
"I have many names, but I'm mostly referred to as Happy. I hope you found the present I left on your pet fox."
There was a long moment of silence between the two, before Happy resumed.
"She was suffering. She was in pain. So I made her happy."
"You killed her...?" Petiole asked softly.
"I did no such thing. I only made her feel better. You're just like the others. Always judging. No one can see the bigger picture. Well... except for Charger, of course..."
"I'm going to destroy you." Petiole said; his voice wobbling as if he were on the brink of tears.
"No, you're not. You can't. Souls are way too powerful to destroy. And even if you managed to take out the battery that houses us, then you'd be the killer."
"W-what are you talking about...?"
"Back, you little gremlin!" Tuner shouted at once.
"What's going on here?" Petiole asked quickly. He coughed a little bit from the strain put to his vocals.
"Stupid murdering psychopath..." Tuner sighed. "Sorry about that, Petiole. My name is Tuner."
"What is all this...?"
"We're... gonna need to have a talk. I'll have to ask that you to turn off the recording first, though."
There were a few seconds left in silence before the file ended.
I stared at the pipbuck screen for the longest time, before finishing off my cig, stomping it out, stepping inside, grabbing the radio, and walking into the restroom and locking the door behind me.
I stared intently at the needle, as if it were Tuner's eyes.
"What did you and Petiole talk about?"
"I asked him to do something for you." Tuner replied instantly.
"Do what?" I hissed, clenching my jaw.
"You'll find out eventually. Don't worry about it."
"Look, Tuner." My hoof started building up a mild charge as the frustration inside me grew. I didn't like secrets being kept from me. Especially if they were about me... "I'm getting sick and tired of all the mystery bullshit. I'm getting tired of the games... Just tell me what it is you and Petiole talked about, or tell me where Snow Star is. Or Celestia as my witness, I am going to rip that fucking battery out. Para doesn't need the radio. Just the battery."
"Hm..." Tuner chuckled. "Well... I gotta say, you put me in a tough spot there. Not gonna take the chance of calling your bluff. I prefer having a voice. Alright... I can't tell you directly what I told Petiole, but I can say that it is in your favor. All I can really say is that things are gonna get a hell of a lot worse, before they get better..." He paused, then added. "Does that save me from not having a voice?"
I sighed and closed my eyes, and the electricity started to die down a little. "I suppose, Tuner..." I ran my hoof across the top of the radio's frame gently, looking down at it. "Did you tell Petiole anything about the battery?"
"I did. And that, I can actually tell you, as well."
"So start with what Happy was talking about when he said Petiole would be the killer if he destroyed the battery."
"Okay..." Tuner took a deep breath, as if he were bracing himself for whatever he was about to say. "I don't want you to freak out, so let me start off by saying that soul magic has a way of giving inanimate objects a sort of... shield, I guess is the word that comes to mind. It doesn't make things indestructible, but it takes a lot to destroy something if it's being used as a soul jar."
"Alright, whatever. Spill it."
"So... assume the battery was destroyed, right? What happens when batteries, generators, and engines get destroyed?"
"They... stop working?"
Tuner went silent for a few moments after that. "Uh... okay, what happens when batteries, generators, and engines overheat?"
"They explode...?"
"They explode." He stated matter of factly. "The destruction of the UPC-07 would be about the equivalent of roughly 1,000 megaspell nukes."
My heart sank the moment I heard that number...
Holy fuck... The fate of Equus sat right in front of me...
"Just enough to completely level Equestria, and then some..."
"B-buh..." I gulped and blinked a few times. "But... if the power of a thousand bombs is focused on only one section of Equus... What happens to the other side of the planet?"
"The world would have cracked like an egg, and the remnants would scatter across your universe. There wouldn't be anything left."
Okay... That was a lot to take in...
Holy fuck, holy fuck... The very fate of Equus rested in my hooves! It's no wonder the Steel Rangers had a hard on for it! Holy SHIT!
I had tensed up at the thought of the destruction of the battery. "What, uh... What if we buried it? Kept it safe from ever detonating? Hide it away somewhere, where no one would ever have the hopes of finding it?"
"As much as I love the idea of being buried away and forgotten, I'm afraid it wouldn't work out like that. Nothing stays buried forever. Someone would find it eventually. But like I said earlier... Soul magic has a way of protecting things. Because souls, no matter if they are good or bad, are extremely powerful. So long as our souls are in here, then there shouldn't be anything to worry about."
"Just..." I scoffed, shaking my head. "Who in their right mind would make something like this...?"
"I wish I knew. But that part is a bit of a mystery to me, as well. I suppose we'll just have to work together to find out."
"I knew it!" A scruffy voice called out through the radio. "But they didn't believe me! The government was stealing little children and stuffing them inside glowing capsules for their horrifying experiments! But I proved everyone wrong!"
"Ugh, not this guy again..." Tuner groaned.
"Who..." I raised a brow. "Who is that?"
"That would be One. The bum on the streets of Manehattan. Complete nutter. Always going on about government conspiracies."
"The moon landing was a fake, and I can prove that, too!"
"Okay, first off?" Tuner began angrily. "Blackjack just came from the moon and found a stable full of other ponies. So that's bull. Second off, the government is dead! There's no reason for conspiracies anymore!"
"You. Boy." One said, completely ignoring Tuner. "Your life is a lie. They don't want you knowing the truth. It would hurt too much. But she will show you the way to the truth, and at long last, your eyes will have been opened!"
"What are you talking about?" I asked, looking down at the radio questioningly. "Who?"
"That's enough out of you." Tuner blurted. "Stop taking over. You lot have been more active than ever, ever since we stumbled across Charger."
"Well, now why wouldn't we be?" A voice that belonged to what I imagined was a really good looking stallion at one point, said. I really liked how he sounded... "We've only been waiting for his arrival for, what... 200 some years?"
"My arrival specifically?" I tilted my head, frowning as my ears wilted.
"They mean someone like you, dipshit." A raspy female voice started. "Don't start thinking this is some prophecy bs. You're not special. Maybe special in the head."
Tuner sighed. "Like I said... Six is kind of a bitch..."
"Yeah, fuck you too. All you ponies are weak."
"Okay, you know what..." Tuner's patience sounded like it had reached its limits right then and there. "I'm pulling the plug for the night."
The light in the radio died, but the battery's glow remained.
That was fine. I had more than enough crazy for one night...
I quietly stepped out of the restroom to find that Fluky and Para were still fast asleep. I put the radio back on the bed, stepped back out of our room, and made my way for the office of the motel, letting myself in. I locked the door behind me and went for the room in the back.
Shadow Hoof was still passed out on his bed, so I lied down on the couch. If I couldn't sleep, then I could at least be there for him if he needed anything. It was my fault he was like this, anyways.
It was my fault for a lot of things...
> Channel 001.6; On The Road Again
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nobody's dick's that long, not even Long Dick Johnson, and he had a fucking long dick. Thus, the name.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The following morning, I found that I still couldn't sleep. My body and my mind were both tired, but I still remained restless.
Shadow Hoof was still passed out, and he hadn't woken up in the middle of the night to puke. I had a strong feeling that the way he felt last night was all in his head. Newbie...
I had read through two books off his shelf by the time the sun was up. One of which was a cookbook for the wasteland. I wanted to try these recipes sometime. They sounded good...
The other was a pre-war fiction piece; Daring Do. Great series. I hadn't read this one yet, and it was a shame I didn't know the rest of the title. The cover was pretty damaged...
I didn't really have any other reason to stick around for now, so I got up, filled a cup of water, put it next to his bed, and left his place, making sure to lock the office up behind me. He'd wake up when he was ready.
I pulled out a cigarette, put it to my lips, and lit the end as I made my way back to our room. Para and Fluky were still probably asleep. As for Petiole... Well... did ghouls even sleep?
By the time I got to the door, my cigarette was three quarters away from done. I pressed the smoldering end against the doorframe outside our room until it was out, then consumed whatever remained.
Hurk!
Still... still tasted better than tentacles... Fuck, I should have let that cool down a bit...
I winced as I opened the door, feeling it travel down to my stomach.
The two of them were still fast asleep, snuggled up close to each other.
Petiole wasn't anywhere to be seen, however.
I stepped inside, gently closing the door behind me. My equipment was still on the floor, next to the bed. The least I could do was take a shift on patrol and earn us some more caps. And so I began to slip into my barding with a new goal for a portion of the day.
By the time I was about halfway armored up, there was a light knock on the door. I finished getting my hooves in the appropriate slots so I didn't trip or stumble on my way to the entrance.
I cracked it open to see a full set of NCR ranger armor standing outside. It turned its head a little, looking directly at me.
"Charger." Omegas said with a nod. Agh... It'd take some time getting used to the voice of ghouls...
"Oh. It's you." I widened the door a bit and poked my head out. "Glad to see Petiole hasn't killed you."
He nodded again. "Speaking of which... Is he around?"
"Sorry, no. I haven't seen him all morning. Or most of last night, for that matter."
"Hm... Guess he left sooner than I expected."
"Left?" I raised a brow, opening the door all the way. "Left where?"
"Nothing to worry about, I assure you. He's just taking care of the ghoul infestation at the checkpoint. Volunteered for it. And seeing as ferals don't attack other ghouls... he sounded perfect for the job." He began to study my armored body before looking back up at me. "What's the occasion?"
"Oh." I smiled faintly. "I figured you'd want someone to do some patrol duty. I was willing to pitch in and do my part."
"That's thoughtful of you," he started quickly. "But no. Right now, we don't need anymore help."
I froze at his response. By my understanding, you could never have too much help... Now I just felt like I... wasn't wanted...
"If you want to catch up with Petiole, I'm sure you'll come across him on the road." He started to turn and walk away.
"What gives, man?" I asked aloud, stepping out and closing the door behind me.
He stopped, but didn't look back. "Have you ever been used, Charger?"
What... what type of question was that...?
"Yes..." I spoke softly, lowering my head a bit. "What of it?"
"How did you feel when it happened?"
"I felt... unimportant. A tool. Like I didn't belong..."
He turned and looked back at me finally. "I assume you didn't like it."
"Obviously..." I deadpanned.
"Then I suggest you leave. You and your friends. Take that radio with you, and stay away from Rivet. Stay away from the NCR. They're just going to try and use you."
"For what?" I raised a brow, tilting my head to the side a little.
"They want you to try and find the bunker again, so that they can wipe it out and take it over."
"So what?" I said, frowning. "Even if I knew where it was, I wouldn't stop them from taking it for themselves." I paused, then added on a softer note. "... So long as they didn't kill any of the unicorns there..."
"I imagine that after that, some with power would try and get you to give up the battery. At first, it might start with trying to buy it off you with caps or favors. Perhaps both. But after a while, they'd start to grow restless. Desperate. And so they'd start trying to frame you for things that the NCR frowns upon. And if that never worked, then they'd kill you and your friends. See, that's the thing about greed. Ponies think they're safe from it, but it's like a virus. No one is invulnerable from its effects. It can drive ponies to do things they'd never dreamt of doing."
"So, where does that leave you?" I replied coldly.
He paused for a few seconds before replying, staring behind that red, glowing visor that stayed fixated on my eyes. "I'm just trying to do the right thing. Most of the NCR is full of good hearted ponies, but every so often, there's one with more self interest. Even if they say it's for the good of the NCR."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I've killed a few of them in my time. It always comes down to the same thing in the end... Greed." He turned back around and started to leave. "Best of luck to you and your people, Charger. It was nice meeting you. I don't expect us to ever meet again."
"You're wrong, by the way." I called out, to which Omegas turned around, awaiting a further response. "About greed." I stepped forward. "Granted, it's not very common. Especially nowadays. But I believe that there still are truly good ponies out there somewhere, with wills of Tungstian." I felt a smile creeping on my lips.
He chuckled in his raspy, ghoul voice as he shook his head softly. But that only made my smile short lived, gave me a clenched jaw, and made my skin crawl. Blegh...
"If there are, then this world will devour them, assuming it hasn't already. In my eyes, everyone carries greed like lungs carry oxygen. It's inevitable. Greed is a means of survival."
Okay, now he was starting to sound like White Noise...
"Tell me something, Charger. When you were about to go help us with patrol duty, what were you really doing it for? The protection of others? Or the promise of caps?"
...
... I guess I was doing it for myself, wasn't I...?
My face seemed to wear the answer he was searching for, cause he continued.
"Exactly. Sometimes, we don't think about what we're doing. Even if it seems like we're doing something good and true, there's always a part of us that is doing it for personal gain. Payment, praise, or even to feel better, it doesn't matter. It's greed. And greed is a psychological virus that has infected this world far before the bombs ever dropped."
I hung my head down at the ghoul's... surprisingly wise, yet super depressing words.
"Thank you for everything you did, Charger. Pass it on to your friends."
With that, he turned and left.


(((((((◉)))))))


"Para..." I said quietly as I nudged him. He groaned in response. "Para, wake up..."
"Five more... hours..."
"No, Para." I nudged his side with my hoof harder, and he cracked open his eyes, looking up at me, clearly tired. "We should leave..."
"What for?" He started to sit up, but stopped himself when Fluky hugged him tighter, pressing her ear against his chest. He looked back up at me with confusion in his eyes.
"I just... think we can do better elsewhere, in terms of living. I don't want to be in a motel any longer. After that motel in Saddle, they've grown tiresome. Need something fresh."
"I dunno, this place kinda grows on you after a while." He smiled faintly, to which I gave him a roll of my eyes.
"If I see another motel, it'll be too soon. I'm leaving, Para. You can join me if you want, but either way, I'm gone..."
We stared at each other for a short while in silence, until I moved in for a gentle embrace. I whispered in his ear before placing a soft kiss on his cheek. "Goodbye, Para... I had fun."
He didn't hug back, but instead, replied. "I don't know about Go Fish here, but where you go, I go too." I felt him nuzzle my neck affectionately, and I closed my eyes at his touch, before opening them and letting go.
"Go Fish?" I raised a brow, to which he regarded Fluky.
"Blackjack." He stated with a proud smile.
"... You do know that's not really Blackjack, right...?"
He scoffed and rolled his eyes, widening his smile. "Well DUH."
"Kinda hard to tell if you're being serious or not sometimes."
He shrugged as he looked up at me, then nudged Fluky gently. She groaned, cracked her eyes open, and blinked a few times, before studying her surroundings. "Waz goin' on...?" She muttered in a slurred speech.
"We're leaving, Fluky." I stated casually. "Do you want to come with?"
"Yeah, yeah..." She sighed as she stood up, stretching her limbs and cracking her neck. "I'm up, I'm up..." She squinted up at me, frowning. "Where are we going...?"
"Somewhere safer." I hope...
"Did something happen here?" She asked in alarm; her eyes growing wide with worry.
"No. Just... I don't trust some here... I don't trust Rivet..."
"Ribbit?" Para grinned. "Who's Ribbit? His name sounds like a frog."
"Ribbit..." Fluky giggled softly. "Ribbit, ribbit."
"Ribbit, ribbit." Para joined in, but never let out so much as a chuckle. He never laughed, now that I thought about it... Odd...
"Ribbit!" Fluky started hopping around the room, sitting on her haunches after each jump to imitate a frog.
Para started getting into it as well...
Sweet Celestia, I was surrounded by idiots!
"I didn't say ribbit!" I called out, looking at the two of them.
Para looked at me, tilting his head curiously. "Ribbit?"
"RiVET!" I put emphasis behind his name as I put a hoof to my temple. I was already developing a headache, and I hadn't even been awake for an hour. I knew this wasn't from the alcohol, either. Not this time, anyways.
"Yeah, ribbit!" Para grinned again.
I let out a resigned sigh and shook my head. "Alright, whatever... Just pack your things. I wanted us out the door five minutes ago.
Fluky nodded, stood straight, and started packing her belongings into her saddle bags. Afterwards, she slid into a black, leather jacket that was just her size. She must have gotten it when I was away at the depot. It looked good on her, though. She looked punk, though I suppose the whole Blackjack body paint helped with that a lot. I just hoped her appearance wouldn't lead to any problems...
Then I saw her pick up a multi-colored launcher of some sort. I hadn't seen anything like it before, but it looked like it could certainly pack a punch.
She hoisted it on her back and slid some cartridges into her bags.
Well, so long as she had something to defend herself with... I was okay with that. Just hoped she knew the dangers of not just guns in general, but explosives especially.
Para got dressed, packed up his gear, and we started to head out.
Upon opening the door, we were greeted with a grumpy Rivet, who frowned down at me specifically.
"What gives? Why are you leaving?"
"How did you-" Oh. Right. Griffins have good hearing... Forgot about that.
"So what... I save your life, and you don't trust me now? That's that?" He began to glare. "What the fu-"
A pebble struck him in the beak, catching him by surprise, but only for a brief second. He stared Para down. "Do not tempt me..." He turned back to me; his eyes locked with mine.
"I can't trust someone that only protects me if they're getting paid for it. You're greedy. Like you said, I'm nothing more than bottle caps to you."
He sighed as he pinched the space between his closed eyes with his talon. "Look, kid... You go out there, chances are, you're going to die. If the ferals don't get to you, or the hell hounds, or the radiation, or some other monster in the wasteland, then Bristle or Fester will."
"That's a chance I'm willing to take. You're not getting the anomaly, and you're not helping the NCR get it."
"The anomaly?" He raised a brow. "Screw the anomaly! I'm just trying to look out for you."
"Yeah, for your own personal gain." I poked his chest with a hoof as I glared back, stepping forward. To my surprise, he actually backed up a little. "Kiss my ass."
...
I was genuinely expecting Para to throw a pebble at me for that. Instead, he spoke as my backside began to feel a little lighter.
"Well... if you insist..."
Then I felt my tail get raised... and a set of lips on my-OH FUCK ME!
I jumped from the surprising, yet arousing contact. He... didn't... kiss the flank...
He went straight for the hole...
... And he didn't just kiss...
I looked back at him in complete shock after feeling his tongue to see him grinning at me, giving me a quick wink. How did he manage to remove that part of my armor so quickly!?
"Para, why!?"
"Not Para." He stuck his tongue out playfully, and a second later, he blinked a few times, then shook his head before looking around, as if he had just woken up. He finally turned to me and smiled.
"Hiya."
"H-hi..." I gave him an odd look before re-attaching the armor and hesitantly turned back to Rivet. "I-If I find you following us, I'm going to shoot you..."
He stood there in silence, staring at me with a blank expression.
"Come on..." I continued as I walked past, leaving him to his thoughts. "Let's blow this popsicle stand..."
Para gasped as he followed close behind. "Popsicles!? I want popsicles!"
"There's no popsi-" I began to shout, before muttering to myself. "Why do I even bother...?"


(((((((◉)))))))


We were back on the empty stretch of highway, heading south to the checkpoint. When we caught up with Petiole, we'd discuss where to go next.
Personally, I wanted to go somewhere far away from here. Somewhere out of Bristle's reach. Or Fester's, for that matter. Hoofington was a pretty good distance away, but that meant finding a mode of transportation. And even if we found one and went there, we'd still have to deal with the war that was happening. And while I was already going to die in about a year, I couldn't jeopardize my friend's safety. Not anymore than I already have.
Hoofington was out of the question. At least, for now, it was.
I didn't really know many areas outside of the bunker still, so I'd start thinking on it again when we were reunited with Petiole.
"I can't believe you did that, Para." Fluky said with what I could assume was a grimace. "That was nasty."
He raised a brow as he regarded her. "What did I do?"
"You seriously don't remember? You-"
"-Don't need to know." I interrupted, looking at her and shaking my head slowly. "It doesn't matter."
"Look..." She resumed. "All I'm saying is that he complained about you wanting to eat a dead radroach because of 'dental hygiene,' and he goes and does something like that?" She shuddered under her breath. "Blegh..."
"If I recall correctly, you were right there with him in the complaints." I regarded her coolly, and she hung her head a bit.
"Well... it is pretty gross..."
"Hey, it's good eatin'." I snapped, looking ahead once more. "It's nice to expand the taste buds every so often. You should try it sometime."
"Gonna start eating other ponies, while you're at it?" She said in a spiteful tone. Here it comes... "Or are you just gonna shoot them without finding out who they are?"
I kept my head forward, and my mouth shut. I know I fucked up with Saddle... and so I wasn't going to defend myself.
Besides... she had opened up to me a lot more, compared to how she was when we first met. I wanted to think of that as progress.
Hours later, down the road, we were starting to pass the donut shop that I had rested in with the caravan not too long ago. Fluky was on my back, as she was starting to complain about her legs cramping up from all the walking, about an hour ago.
Music played softly on the radio through our trek. Some of the songs, I had never heard before, but some, I had heard from before I came across Para and the UP-what's-it. Battery thing. Some were pre war, some were modern day, some were interdimensional... apparently.
I looked over at Para and poked his shoulder. He looked back at me, smiling proud.
"How's your head?" I asked.
"Hurts less." He said with a firm nod. "Headache is still there, but it's subsiding."
I didn't know what to make of that. Didn't know if it meant Happy was coming back and winning his body over again, or if he was giving up, and Tuner was winning. Still... Para was hurting less, and that was a small relief.
"Can we rest here?" Fluky asked, pointing at the building as we were starting to pass by it. "All this trekking is tiring."
"Excuse me?" I looked back at her from behind the visor of my helmet. "You're not the one covered head to hoof in heavy armor that's been gradually turning into a furnace for the past three to four hours. You can't complain about being tired from this..." I paused, then added more. "And it doesn't help that the Saddle fires are making everything uncomfortably warm out here. It's too hot, but you don't hear me complaining."
"Except now..." She muttered grumpily.
"Only because you are." I said with a faint smirk, looking ahead. "We're gonna keep going. Petiole shouldn't be that far now."
Suddenly, I felt Para blowing on the side of my cheek. I looked over, and he continued drawing in air, then blowing it back at me.
"Para..." I backed away from him a little. "What are you doing?" Weirdo...
He grinned suddenly. "Oh, you said it was really hot out here, so I figured I'd give you a blow job to help you cool down."
A BLOW WHAT!?
"P-Para!" I balked. "I don't think you know what that means! Don't... don't say stuff like that!" I felt myself blushing now. Damn it... I mean, getting a bj from that sexy stallion sounded nice and all, but... not in front of the filly! Agh, my suit was getting tighter!
"What's a blow job mean?" Fluky asked, to which I swung my head back at her, a nervous smile creeping up on my features.
"Don't say that. Please, don't say that..." I laughed nervously as I turned even more red than I already was.
"Why? Is it a bad word?"
"N-no... Not really... But... Fluky, you're too young to know... what that means..."
Birds, bees, trains, and tunnels...
"Unless you're a mare from Stable 99." Tuner stated with amusement after the song had come to a close. "Or Stable 89. Though, now it's referred to as 69. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge."
A look of dread grew on the fillies' features as she regarded Para's radio. He didn't really seem to process what just happened. Almost as if he hadn't heard Tuner.
Fluky turned back to me and whispered. "Did the radio just...?"
I nodded and put the tip of my hoof to my lips. "Keep quiet about it..." I spoke in whispers. "I don't want a whole lot of people knowing... I'll explain later..."
She hesitantly nodded and stared back at the radio questioningly.
Para was still clueless as to what was going on. He didn't even seem to be paying attention to our conversation.
"You know what...?" I turned back to the donut shop. "Let's catch a break here. I have to check on something anyways."
"Right there with ya!" Para beamed at me as he trotted for the building.
"Para, be careful!" I hissed. "Last time we were here, there were raiders!" My ears folded back. "... Sort of..."
"Neighbors? Here?" He said as he continued to trot. "If they're having a little get-together, I want in!"
Erngh... Damn it, PARA!
"Para, wait!" I started to go after him once I spotted a few reds on my E.F.S. in the same direction.
"With a smile and a trot. A hop to the top. A tune that never stops, and a bunny that never flops..."
"Para!" I began to run faster.
He burst through the front door and waved his fores over his head, shouting in a singing voice. "IT'S PA-PA-PA-PARA!"
Several of whatever occupied the reds screeched as they started to bundle up, going for him. He looked back at them and waved happily.
"Hiya!"
Deva Vu, anyone...?
"PARA, MOVE!" I shouted, charging full speed ahead. Fluky clung tight to my neck as I brought the rifle forward. My rear hoof burst with electricity in fear of him getting hurt. Or worse...
He looked back at me, keeping his smile. The next second, he was thrown to the ground and pinned by two radhogs that snarled and tried biting at him.
My hooves obtained purchase against the asphalt road as I stopped and aimed ahead. One was just about to sink its jagged teeth into his neck as he laughed, going on about how lovable they were. I quickly jumped into SATS to buy me some time. Time slowed down, and after targeting its head, I successfully drove a few rounds through its skull. I wasn't too worried about the other one just yet, as it wasn't close to ripping into him. But it was trying.
Or, at least it was, until it saw its friend die. It turned and growled at me.
That was the last thing it ever did, before three rounds shot down its throat and came out the back of its head.
As time began to speed up once more, Para got up, brushed himself off, grabbed his stetson, and placed it back atop his head before looking down at them. "Awwww... They're sleeping!"
Damn it, Para...
One more stepped out of the building. A big one... Bigger than any of us, combined. I was surprised it managed to squeeze through the window. I could only imagine it was the mother...
"Para, get out of there!" I shouted, before aiming at the creature and firing.
It screamed as bullets dug into its hide. But it wasn't enough. These were no more than the pokes of needles to it.
Para shrugged and trotted away happily as the beast went to focus on me.
"Fluky, I need you to run..." I muttered behind the bit.
"What?" She asked in alarm.
"Get off!" I blurted, switching to full auto and letting out a stream of lead, bloodying its face as it charged us.
Fluky hopped off at once and made a run for it, away from me.
The massive rat was about to run me down and stomp me out before I jumped to the side and started to make a break for it. The bullets seemed only to anger it...
It came to a stop and started to swing around. The last thing I saw before I was launched across the highway and rolling across the hard, cracked pavement was a tail about my size, swinging at me.
I was getting really tired of being knocked around like this... First, a giant beetle... and now, a giant radhog... What next?
Something had cracked inside. Something close to my gut... My ribcage felt like it had turned to glass, only so it could shatter. I coughed and wheezed, looking at the fight. If it could even be called that anymore...
The distinct taste of iron coated my tongue, and the warm substance leaked from my lips, forming a puddle on the floor. Spittle shot out as I coughed and struggled for breath.
Fluky was on the run, and Para just stood off to the side, watching her get chased at a distance. Could he be anymore useful...?
I felt the health potions in my pipbuck tending to my injuries, but it was taking all its energy just to repair my broken ribs and stop the bleeding. It felt horrible feeling a part of me break on the inside. It felt just as bad feeling it the other way around. I wish it had given me something for the pain...
I noticed a figure standing atop the roof of the shop, looking down at us through the scope of a sniper rifle. His armored form was lit up with a red LED.
Petiole...
Thank Celestia...
He aimed down at the beast and placed a round to the side of its head, but even then, that didn't seem to do much in terms of damage.
It did, however, turn its focus on him in a cry of rage. It started for the building, looking up at him. He placed another shot to its frontal lobe... or, at least, he tried. The hide was too thick, even for him...
It raised up on its rear legs, able to reach him quite easily now. He backed up, firing one more shot before he dropped down through the sun roof. Running never seemed to be an option for him. He seemed rather calm, considering his situation.
The radhog started making an attempt to squeeze through the window frame, this time, to get back in.
Suddenly, Fluky ran around the corner of the shop; her launcher hoisted over her shoulder, and the grip in her mouth. She fired a ball of red light at it, and with it, came a loud whistling, as if a bomb was ready to drop to the surface and destroy all.
Upon impact, the ball of light expanded into various flashing colors, such as red, blue, green, yellow, and white. With that, came an ear deafening boom of gunpowder detonating in what was once a small, compact, concentrated container.
The animal howled and screeched as its hide burned from the blast, thrashing about and swinging its claws at the air wildly. It turned towards me, and that's when I saw it...
She had taken out its eyes. There was nothing left of its left, and the right was dangling out of its socket, coated in red.
All the while, she opened the chamber much like a double-barreled shotgun would be opened, started loading in another mortar, then slammed it shut, aiming back at the beast.
Three friendly blips appeared on my E.F.S., directly ahead. They were bunched up together, but I didn't see anyone apart from Fluky and Para. Petiole's blip was still there, but I could't see him in the building from where I lied.
I continued to look around, and upon looking up, I saw three figures flying, but only two had wings.
One, a pegasus, another, a rather familiar dragon...
The third was being carried by the two, covered head to hoof in a set of power armor.
Damn it... Not them...
As they flew over, they released Destrier, who came plummeting down atop the beast. He aimed his cannons down and blasted it away with heavy, thunderous firepower. His guns seemed to do the trick, cause blood was gushing out with each shot, drenching his armor in red.
Tezu came in for another fly-by, breathing hellfire down on the animal's head. Thunderwing followed shortly after, letting out a barrage of lasers against where Tezu hit.
It screeched, growled, and thrashed around at the pain the three were delivering to it. Destrier fell off its back, but quickly recovered. Well, as quickly as one could in power armor. He aimed his cannons at its head, continuing to fire. It collapsed on its stomach, crying out in agony. Getting weaker by the second.
By the time his guns were run dry and in need of reloading, there was a ditch in the side of its head, exposing a brain now turned to mush.
The creature had fallen, and the team looked around at my party.
Petiole stepped out, reloading his rifle with ease. His LEDs turned green.
Thunderwing fluttered her wings as she made her way to me, before making a soft landing. She held out a hoof, looking down at me with a faint, warm smile. I grabbed it, and she helped me up. My body still hurt... But I wasn't dying anymore.
"Good thing we came when we did." She started. "Would've been a radhog's dinner, otherwise."
"I didn't ask for help..." I replied coldly, before glaring. "Who sent you?"
Her smile faded almost instantly. "Omegas told us you and your friends left, and why. We're not asking you to go back to Virtue."
"Good. Cause we're not going back."
"I wouldn't expect it of you." She smiled again, giving me a short nod. "It's just, you helped us. I figured we'd return the favor. That, and I imagined Petiole would have cleaned out the checkpoint by now. So someone had to pay him for a hard day's work." She reached into her saddle bags and pulled out a pouch as he started to make his way towards us. By the time he was passing by her, she tossed it to him. He let it strike his side and land on the ground; rattling the contents within.
He stopped and stared down at the bag. His LEDs turned blue as he looked up at her, then down at the bag again. "What was that for?"
"Your payment." She replied simply.
Without saying a word, he grabbed and pocketed it. His LED went green again.
"Well, my group and I are gonna take a break at Donut Joe's for a bit, before we hit the road again." I regarded Petiole. "We'll need to discuss our next destination."
"Why?" He tilted his head to the side.
"We're not staying here. I don't trust the NCR..." I looked back at Thunderwing, gritting my teeth at the realization I was in front of NCR company. "No offense..."
"None taken." She smiled and shook her head. "I'll admit, the NCR has problems. Maybe not as much as other factions, but there are still problems, as there are with any other organization or establishment. Nothing's perfect."
"Let me guess..." I started with a deadpan. "Omegas gave you his opinion on greed?"
She laughed softly. "Oh, you have no idea..."


(((((((◉)))))))


"So, where are we going?" Thunderwing asked as we sat at one of the dining tables in the building. Destrier chose to stand, however.
My helmet was off, resting on the table the majority of us sat around.
"My friends and I are going to decide that." I stated, looking at her with a mild annoyance. "I didn't invite any of you to come along."
"Ah, but why not? I could use a little adventure. Get away from Virtue for a bit."
I sighed and shook my head. "Look... you're all nice. But I don't want any of you following us. It's nothing personal. But you're with the NCR, and I'm trying to get away from it."
"We don't work for the NCR." Tezu stated, regarding me. "We work for Omegas."
"Who is working for the NCR." I noted quickly.
"And who went against their orders when he told you to get out of Virtue, I might add." Thunderwing filled in, knitting her brows. "If that doesn't earn some level of trust, I don't know what will."
Blaze stumbled in through the doorway, gasping and panting. He wiped some sweat off his brow as he leaned against the counter, taking in as much oxygen as he could as he removed the face mask. It was the first time I saw him without it, but honestly, he looked just fine without it. Well... apart from the massive scar that traveled across his lips from top to bottom.
"Sorry I'm... late... to the party..." He said between deep, labored breaths.
Tezu smirked as he shook his head. "I told you that you wouldn't be able to keep up."
"Hey, I'm... only a few... minutes... late..."
Tezu rolled his eyes and pointed him to a seat at the table. The moment he sat down, I caught an aroma of sweat. I did my best to not show disgust at the nasty scent, but I couldn't exactly blame him, either. Hell, he ran what would take four hours to walk. That was actually very impressive!
Still didn't help the fact that he smelled like the locker room at the bunker, after a full day of PT.
"How did you run all this way?" I asked, regarding him.
He looked over and smirked, still panting as he removed his helmet. "Ask... Tezu." Then he winked.
Uh... Ask Tez-Oh!
My face must have turned bright red from his response, cause they were both laughing.
They must have been having A LOT of sex to build that kind of stamina up! Made me kinda jealous, actually...
Destrier put a hoof down on the table. "Enough chatter."
Everyone turned and looked at him, but he seemed mainly focused on me. "Where do we go?"
"Why are you looking at me?" I asked, before looking at everyone else. Okay, now all eyes were on me... "What?"
"Well, you do seem like the leader of your group." Thunderwing stated, nudging my shoulder with a hoof. "Makes sense to ask the one in charge... Charger."
Wait, why was I the one in charge, all of a sudden?
I looked to Petiole, but he just shrugged. "Sorry, Charger. But you are the leader here."
There was no sorry about it, honestly. I didn't have a problem being the leader. I spent my life being told what to do. I spent my life being used. I wasn't in control.
But now I was... and that felt... invigorating...
I felt powerful. Like I had meaning.
But it made me wonder why I was elected as the leader of my group. I was bound to make mistakes along the way. I had to plan carefully, and everything had to be well thought out. I wanted as little mistakes as possible... And the idea of making mistakes that hurt others made me anxious...
But... I was in charge...
I was in charge.
I was in charge!
I nodded before turning to the rest of the party. I tapped my forehoof against the table's scratchy surface a couple times as I started to speak. "I'm not familiar with the surface. I've been underground up until a few weeks or so ago. I know about Hoofington, Manehatten, New Pegasus, and Canterlot. And I'll say it right now; Canterlot is off limits. Period. So suggestions are welcome. Anywhere far from here, preferably. I want to get away from Fester and my chapter."
"What about Vanhoover?" Tezu asked.
"Vanhoover?" I asked flatly, raising a brow. I couldn't tell if he was joking or not... "That's Steel Ranger territory. I'm not going back there."
"Not that Vanhoover. I'm talking about the one up north of Saddle."
Blaze nodded in agreement. "That's not ranger territory. So we circle around Saddle and make our way up."
"I don't know... I don't really wanna go back that way..." I muttered, looking down. Fluky seemed to share the same sentiments as I. She was hugging her teddy bear close to her chest, and her ears were folded back as she hung her head down. I couldn't see her eyes past her mane.
"Well, in that case, there's Whinniapolis, Trottingham, Appleloosa, Fillydelphia, blah, blah, blah, shooba, dooba, bop, glop, chop, clippity clop..." Thunderwing said with a dismissive twist of her hoof as she rolled her eyes carelessly. "It'd help if we had a map, honestly."
I looked at Para's radio for a few seconds, before Destrier noticed.
"What are you thinking?"
"Para, I need your radio really quick."
He nodded happily and handed it over. I grabbed it and stood up, making my way to the restroom.
"Where are you going?" Thunderwing asked, raising a brow.
"Thinking."
"With the radio?"
"Don't question it..." Petiole filled in.
I closed the door behind me and locked it for good measure, before sitting down on my haunches, still holding the radio.
"Alright, Tuner. What do you got for me?"
"Hm?" He started. "Oh... Right. Sorry. I was paying attention to what was happening in Hoofington. Some crazy shit's been going down."
"So I keep hearing..." I said with a roll of my eyes. "Where should we go?"
"Well, I know where I'd go. Back downtown on Charger's ass." He chuckled as I clenched my jaw. "You taste wonderful..."
"So you possessed Para's body and did that...?"
"Ah, relax Charger. He doesn't know anything about it. I mean, Happy does... and let me tell you, he was anything but happy about it."
"No more." I snapped, glaring down at the radio as I set it down. "No more possessing Para, or anyone else, for that matter. Using his body to do shit like that...? That's just another form of molesting, isn't it?"
"Well, I didn't hear him saying no." Tuner replied with amusement in his voice. I felt the anger inside me start to boil. My hoof started to build up a charge... "Alright, alright... Calm down... I thought you would have liked it... I won't do it anymore..."
"Better not, Tuner... I won't stand for shit like that..." My charge was starting to die down a little, but it still lingered, all the same. "Now... where should we go?"
"You're asking me? I thought you were the one in charge."
"Sometimes even leaders need a push in the right direction. So where would you suggest we go?"
"Hm... let me take a look around. You're looking for an escape from your past, right?"
"Right."
There were a few moments of silence before he began. "Okay, well... this might not be what you're looking for, seeing as it's definitely not a good place to stay. But there is something there that I believe will do wonders to your cause... it's infested with ferals, but I suppose we could cut across the river and go to Portlandia."
I sighed, planting my face in my hooves.
"No, no... Hear me out." Tuner said quickly. "If the Steel Rangers are trying to find you, and they know that you know that you're being hunted, which they do, then they'd naturally assume you'd try and get as far away from here as you could. The last thing they'd expect is for you to be right next door to them. This gives you the advantage."
My ears perked up and I looked down at the radio, smiling faintly. "You know... when you put it like that, it actually does sound like a good plan... kinda. What's there?"
"Ferals. Lots of 'em."
Pfft... "We can handle ferals." Especially since we had Petiole. "What else is there?"
"A weapon. One that could prove extremely useful to you. It's a prototype, so finding it anywhere else is highly unlikely."
I nodded. This was starting to sound better... "Anything else?"
"... My past..."
For once, he actually sounded somber. He not only sounded sincere, but it felt like he was, too. Like I was seeing him for who he really was. No mask to hide behind...
"You used to live there?"
"Yeah... Some apartment complex in the city. It's still standing, but there's a lot of feral activity surrounding it."
"Do you want to go there...?"
"Y-yeah... Plus, there's that weapon... And anything else that's there might turn a profit. But please... be careful... The last thing I want is for someone to get hurt because of me. Guess I kinda already screwed that up with Para though, huh?"
I laid a hoof on the top of the radio, caressing its frame. "We all make mistakes, Tuner. I, of all ponies, know what I'm talking about. It's up to us to learn from those mistakes and better ourselves."
"Thanks, Charger..." He said softly. "You're a good pony..."
"I'm not so sure about that..." I stood up and grabbed the radio. "But thanks, all the same..."
I unlocked the door and stepped out. Everyone was still sitting at the table, discussing a variety of locations and what they were like, according to others in the party. The one I was hearing about currently was a personal experience.
Thunderwing's experience, back in the Mojave.
It didn't sound like she wanted to go there. I couldn't blame her...
"Hey." I stepped forward, catching everyone's attention. "I have an idea where we could go. Well... kinda. Not exactly a permanent solution."
"Well, spit it out, then." Tezu said impatiently.
"Portlandia."
"Portlandia?" Blaze sat up straight. "I thought you were trying to get out of this place!"
"Think about it. The Steel Rangers know I'd try and get as far from here as possible, right? So they'd send search parties far and wide to hunt me down and get the anomaly. I don't think they'd expect me to stay right under their nose."
Destrier turned to Thunderwing. "He proves a valid point... But it's risky."
"Yeah, well..." She started to pull out a cig from her pack. "What's life without risk?" She lit the end and took a pull off it, keeping the butt wedged between her pinions. She didn't sound too happy. I could only imagine the topic of the Mojave was to blame.
"There's something there I need. Not to mention that there's most likely some valuable loot. There's, however,  a lot of feral activity there." I stated, to which Petiole sat up straight.
"I'm in."
"Knew you'd be." I said with a smile. I gave Para his radio back and sat down at the table again.
Blaze looked around at the group, clearly expecting something. But no one said or did anything. Eventually, he broke. "Seriously? No one's gonna say it? I can't be the only one thinking it..."
"Thinking what?" I asked, looking at him. He turned to me with a flat expression, then everyone else, expecting an answer. Still, none was given to him.
"Okay, maybe I am the only one thinking it..." He shook his head hard and sighed. "It's only a matter of time before they find you snooping around under their radar. Not to mention that if it isn't the Steel Rangers or Fester's raiders that kill us, then the ferals will. Even if it's not a permanent solution, that doesn't make it any less deadly. So what do we do when that time comes?"
I sighed as I pulled out my pack and smacked the top with a hoof a few times, before putting a cig to my lips, lighting up, and taking a pull off it.
"I'll come up with something..."
"Well, you best come up with something quick, cause they won't wait."
"I know that." I replied with a frown. "After this, we'll find a place to hunker down in for a bit."
"And what about the other flaws to this plan?" He continued. "We're crossing Steel Ranger and raider territory to go someplace that no one dares to go, for loot and whatever Charger needs to get that probably won't even be worth the risk!"
"Whatever we don't need, we can sell. We could always use the extra caps. And a plan is better than no plan."
Thunderwing stood up and stuck the cig in her mouth before talking. "I'm with Charger. We got what it takes. But I think we should rest a bit before we head out. Spend the rest of the day where we know it's safe."
"I second that." Tezu stated. Blaze rolled his eyes and shook his head.
I looked around, finally noticing that one of the ponies were missing from her crew. "Hey, where's Riot?"
"On his way." Destrier answered before heading to a more isolated part of the building.
"He doesn't have the stamina to move like Blaze." Tezu grinned, nudging his lover. Blaze kissed him on the cheek and smiled back, though I could tell he was still worried as all hell.
"How long have you two been together?" I asked, eyeing the cute couple.
"Five years now." Tezu replied.
Thunderwing left the table and flew through the broken sun roof. Fluky and Para went to a separate part of the building together.
"So..." Blaze raised a questioning brow, looking me over after Para and Fluky vanished to the back of the building. "Why does the filly look like Blackjack...?"
"Eh... Yeah, sorry about that... Para dyed her coat and mane. She's not in danger for looking like that, is she?"
"Not in any more danger than anyone else in the wasteland. She's too small to be the real thing, and she doesn't have cybernetics. Only an idiot would think she's the real one."
Wasn't the best of news, but... I'd take what I could get.
"So, tell me a bit about yourselves." I put both forehooves on the table between us, smiling faintly at the pair. I took another pull off the cig tucked between my lips and exhaled.
Tezu smirked. "What part of our story do you want to hear? When and how we got together? Or when I tried killing him?"
"You tried killing him?" I cocked my head to the side a little.
Blaze nodded simply. "How do you think I got this scar on my face?"
"Happened when we first met."
"And to think we were enemies at one point..." Blaze said softly, wrapping a hoof around the dragon. Tezu licked the side of his face playfully, and the pony laughed softly.
They were good together, by the looks of it. They were both happy. They loved each other. I could see it. They didn't have to say it, cause they knew it too. They carried a strong bond between each other's soul.
"Do you have anyone in your life, Charger?" Tezu asked as Blaze nuzzled his neck.
"What? Oh... No." I looked down at my helmet, running a hoof across the top of it. "Not anymore..." I took another pull off the cig and leaned back in my seat. "Didn't die as far as I know. Just... left... Was given a choice, but honestly... there was no real wrong answer." Maybe she did the right thing, after all... Petiole was right about her. She had a chance to create life, and she took it. I wasn't so sure I could be mad at her for that...
"What was her name?"
I smiled softly as I looked at the two lovers. "Snow Star."
Blaze stopped nuzzling into his neck, and the two looked at each other silently, before turning back to me.
"What?"
"Red eyes, white coat? Blue mane? Unicorn? No cutiemark?"
"Y-yeah... Why?" I sat up, my heart starting to beat rapidly. "You met her?"
"Long time ago, but yeah. She was passing through Virtue. Shadow Hoof gave her a place to stay for a while, but one night, she just left. Didn't say goodbye."
"How..." I started to choke on my words as tears threatened to break loose. "How did she look...?"
"When she first showed up? Like she traveled far. Tired... Later on, it was revealed to us that she was pregnant. We offered to let her stay and live there, but she always seemed against the idea."
Tears burned at my eyes more and more as I was fed this news. She had survived. At least, she had, long enough to get to Virtue. I still didn't know about her present conditions, but this... this was great to hear. It gave me hope that she was still out there. Alive and well.
"I'm assuming that the baby is yours?" Tezu smiled thoughtfully, to which I nodded, sobbing a little.
"Y-yeah."
He nodded back, his smile growing a little more. "Well, if we had known where she went off to, we'd tell you."
"Somewhere off east." Blaze filled in. "That's about all we know."
I nodded again, smiling with welled up tears. "Thank you. Both of you."
"Don't mention it." He looked over at his boyfriend and booped his muzzle with his own. "On that note, Blaze and I are gonna go fuck one out. Catch ya later, Charger... Unless you wanna join us..." I felt myself blushing as they both looked me over as if I were eye candy, grinning.
I smiled back. "Heh... Maybe some other time..."
Blaze and Tezu both nodded happily before the two of them took off for the back of the building.


(((((((◉)))))))


For hours, my heart was jumping with the joy with the news that Snow Star had made it as far as Virtue. I knew it happened years ago, but that was still great news. I needed that. It meant she knew what she was doing in order to stay alive. I imagined she had to face a lot of dangers on the road. Raiders, hellhounds, radioactive zones... She knew what to avoid. At least, in order to get as far as Virtue. And that gave me hope. Hope that she was still out there.
The excitement had traveled between my legs after a while, and Thunderwing and Destrier had noticed it, when she had returned to him to talk to him about something. The pegasus was laughing, but I also saw her blushing as her eyes took brief peeks downward. Destrier was just standing there, still and silent as a statue.
I got up nervously and made my way to the restroom. I locked the door behind me and pulled out the magazine I had gotten from 32 - the one Fluky had found - and opened to the page that she had landed on a while back. Where the lucky stallion was dominating that sexy mare...
I stared at the picture for a while, feeling the heat build up inside me, before I closed my eyes and imagined it was Snow Star and I in that situation... again. It was once. It could be again. And nothing could take us away from each other again. No Firebright. No Crimson. No Bristle. We could finally be ourselves. We wouldn't have to hide our true feelings for each other anymore...
I got to work with the thought of us being in that picture after stripping myself from my gear. It had been a while since I've done this in a while, anyways. I needed a little private vacation.


(((((((◉)))))))


About ten minutes later, there was a hot, sticky mess in the toilet. I doubt anyone was going to use it, anyways.
I panted as I sat there, smiling at the thought of me and her as I pressed my back against the wall, looking up at the ceiling. I missed her so much, but I was going to find her... She was out there.
I shook myself from my daydream and looked down to see there was a bit of a mess on myself that I needed to clean up.
Right... right. Okay... uh...
I looked around for anything that I could use to wash myself. I could only imagine the water here was radioactive, so that was a no go. And I couldn't find any toilet paper... Hm...
I reached into one of the pouches on my armor and... Ah hah! I found paper!
I pulled it out and started wiping the messy parts down, before cleaning my manhood.
I sighed happily before I looked down, and that's when I saw it...
My heart sank deep in my chest when I saw writing on the paper...
Oh... no...
I quickly opened the cum-drenched note.
'That son of a bitch got me, Iron. I've seen what happens when someone gets nicked by those nightmares from the mi-'
The rest of the note was covered in the aftermath of my excitement. Didn't matter... I knew what this note was...
I had used someone's suicide note as a means to clean up my jizz! What the fuck was wrong with me!?
I heard a knock at the door, and I quickly scrambled to hide the note.
"Charger?" Petiole asked from the other side. "Are you done in there?"
Ahhh... fuck!
I quickly unlocked the door, cracked it open, and looked at him. His LEDs were blue for some reason.
"Charger, what's going on?"
"Oh, nothing!" I smiled nervously. "Nothing wrong! Just... musta been something I ate! Yeah, something I ate! That's it!"
He pushed his forehoof against the door, but I kept it from moving any further.
"Really, I'll be okay." I said with gritted teeth. "Just... need a minute."
"I smell semen."
Damn it, Petiole!
I groaned, opened the door a bit more, and pulled him in hastily, only to close it soon after.
He looked around at the mess I had made, then down at the note between us.
"... Oh." Was all he said before looking up at me, then back down at the note, then at me again. "You know... a lot of ponies would be furious if they found out somepony had used their final thoughts as a cum rag. But not Bouncy. No, I bet she's looking down at you right now, rolling around and laughing her giggly, horny ass off."
"You're not... mad?" I asked as my ears wilted.
He shook his head. "Not in the slightest. Though, I don't know how someone could stomach such an act."
"It was... an accident..." I hung my head down, feeling more miserable by the second. "I didn't know what was on the paper before it was too late..."
"Don't let this ruin the fun you had." He replied, pulling out a small, plastic container and making his way to the toilet.
"Hey, what are you doing?" I asked with a questioning raise of a brow.
"Collecting more DNA samples off you. I keep telling you, I'm thorough."
... Okay, gross...
That was unsanitary...
"I can just give you a fresh sample later, Petiole... Don't dig one out of the toilet, that's nasty."
"I'd prefer to not wait." Aaand there he went, scraping out his samples. That was just... engh...
"Alright, you have fun with that..." I said as I began slipping back into my armor. When I was suited up, I looked back at him to find he was still at it, but his LEDs were green again. Ugh... "I'm gonna go now..."
"Mhm..." He muttered, as if he weren't really listening.
With that, I left the room and closed the door behind me, making sure the magazine was secured in my pouch.
Riot had just stepping in through the front entrance. "Sorry I'm tardy. I tried teleporting, but my horn's burnt out for the time being. I went over my limits..." He rubbed his horn gently, wincing as he did. "Fucker's giving me one bitch of a headache..."
"Need some Med-x?" Thunderwing asked, reaching into her pouch as she sat at another table.
"Wouldn't hurt." He said softly, walking over to her. She gave him a wry smile.
"Well, that is the purpose of Med-x, hun."
He chuckled softly and shook his head. "Right."
She injected him with a shot, and he sighed with relief. "That'll do it..." He sat down beside her at the table and slouched. "Fuck, it feels good to sit down again..."
"Not for me." Blaze said as he stepped up with a smirk plastered on his face. "Tezu got a bit aggressive on my ass again." He proceeded to sit down and groan softly to himself as Riot gave him a disturbed look, scooting away from him a little, closer to Thunder.
"Must you share this information?"
"Well, if no one else will listen, then who else but you? I mean... he's so big, and he carries a massive load. Wouldn't be surprised if one of these days, he fills me up completely."
"Remember when we talked about watching what you say in public matters?" Riot stared flatly. "Yeah, this is one of those moments. Not all of us are gay."
"I am." I said, stepping forward with a faint smile. "Well, bi really."
"Oh trust me." Blaze replied, looking me up and down. "Tezu and I already knew." Then he winked.
"Ugh..." Riot slammed his head against the table's surface. "Ow, damn it..." He began rubbing his head from the impact. "I walk eight hours, and I finally arrive only to hear about someone's anal fixations..."
"I remember this one time, when Destrier gave my ass a good pounding..." Thunderwing said with a smirk. "So there we were on patrol duty, and-"
"Please, Celestia... if you're merciful, kill me now!" Riot blurted, covering his ears.
Thunder, Blaze, and I all shared a laugh at Riot's misery.
"Sorry, Riot." Thunderwing said, stretching out a wing across his shoulder. "We'll stop."
"Yeah..." He muttered as he looked down, before getting up. "Think I'm just gonna... sit somewhere else now."
With that, he walked over to a separate table to keep to himself.
I couldn't help but feel bad for the joking around. "Did we do something wrong?" I asked, looking to Blaze and Thunder.
"Guessing he's still upset over his girl..." Thunder replied with a somber look.
"She's not my girl anymore!" He snapped, glaring at her with murder in his eyes.
Ouch... touchy subject?
I knew what that was like...
"Right..." She paused, looking down.
"What happened...?" I asked quietly.
"Dumb cunt cheated on him, then got killed for it." I caught a smile creeping on her face. "Bitch deserved it."
"... Oh..." I slumped down in my seat. "Damn... Who killed her?"
She pointed a wing over at Riot silently before reaching into her bag and pulling out her pack of cigs. She looked me over before lighting hers, then rolled a spare across the table. "My treat."
I smiled faintly and took the offer, lighting the end with my zippo.
She continued on from there. "Found out where they were hiding, loaded up his shotgun, broke in while they were testing the bed springs, and blew both their brains out."
"Holy shit..." I muttered before taking a pull.
"Yeah..." She looked down as she took a pull off hers. "He's not really someone that'll just let his heart be played with like that. Can't say I blame him either..."
"When Tezu and I were on a scavenger run, we found him outside the house, holding his shotgun to his head, crying. We could both feel the anger and frustration trapped inside him, so we tried to help." Blaze took Thunderwing's cig and took a pull off it. All the while, she scowled at him until he put it back between her lips. "A few days later, he agreed to come to Virtue with us."
"He really proved himself when a radscorpion tried making its way into town." Thunderwing added. "Dual wielded combat shotguns like a mad pony and blasted away at its eyes. He seemed to really enjoy it, too. So we made him a part of Virtue's security team."
"He sounds like a badass." I said, before taking another pull off my cig, smiling as I looked at him. He was having a cigarette too, but he wasn't acknowledging anyone.
"Oh yeah." Thunderwing chuckled. "He sure knows how to put on a show. Sucks he wasn't there to take on that radhog. I'd have paid to see that... No offense to Destrier, of course. That was pretty badass, too."
I heard an acoustic guitar playing softly towards the back. It was coming from the radio. At least I knew where Para was.
Lyrics started, but I couldn't make them out from here.
Petiole stepped out of the restroom, then eye'd the giant radhog outside, before walking over to our table. "I imagine we're staying here for the night. So I'm going to cook what I can of the rat outside, in case anyone's hungry."
I quickly raised my hoof with a broad smile, waving it around frantically. "Yes, me! I'm hungry! I want!" I started pointing at my chest with my hooves, tapping them against me repeatedly. "Me! Over here!"
"Settle down, kid." Petiole said calmly, before looking at the others. "The radiation levels aren't high enough to be a problem, but it wouldn't hurt to take a rad-x before consumption, just to be safe."
Oh, it's been so long since I had food I favored. I didn't care about the radiation that may have come with it. I'd deal with it later.
"We don't travel at night, so it'd be best if we hunkered down here for the rest of the day." Thunderwing said with a firm nod. "Good thinking, Petiole. I'd rather not be at the checkpoint with the smell of burnt flesh..."
Petiole nodded back. "I'll get to cooking then."
I stood up as a harmonica began to play, and I followed the source of the sound, going through the back exit of the building.
I walked down the short stretch of hallway and stopped at the door that remained ajar. I carefully opened it and peeked my head out to see Para sitting on his haunches.
Fluky sat beside him on his right as they looked out at the distance. Little Buddy was on his shoulder.
Para had his hoof around her shoulder, bringing her in close as she sobbed and whimpered under her breath.

Well, I got a job and tried to put my money away.
But I got in too deep, and I could not pay.
So I drew what I had from the Central Trust.
And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus.

Everything dies, baby, that's a fact.
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty, and meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

The harmonica came back, and the two of them - three of them - just sat there in silence as the music played.
I knew what Tuner was trying to do. I couldn't really tell if it was working for her, though...

Now, our luck may have died, and our love may be cold.
But with you, forever I'll stay.
We're goin' out where the sands turnin' to gold.
So put on your stockin's.
Cause the night's gettin' cold, and maybe everything dies.

That's a fact, but maybe everything that dies.
Someday comes back...

The guitar made a few more quiet strums, as if the song was coming to an end, but the harmonica made another auditory appearance a few seconds later.
Para started rubbing Fluky's arm a bit, trying to comfort her as she cried in his embrace. Shortly after, he took off his stetson and placed it atop her head with a faint, yet sad smile.
"It's not fair..." Her voice wobbled. "What did I do wrong to deserve this...? To deserve him...?"
Para didn't reply. I wasn't entirely sure he understood what was even happening. He knew she was sad, but that was it, as far as I knew. Death was an unknown concept for him.

Now, I been lookin' for a job.
But it's hard to find down here.
It's just winners and losers.
And don't get caught on the wrong side of that line.

Well, I'm tired of comin' down on the losin' end.
So honey, last night I met this guy.
And I'm gonna do a little favor for him.

Well, I guess everything dies, baby, that's a fact.
But maybe everything that dies, someday comes back.
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty.
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City...

The song started to fade as the last line repeated itself, but her tears kept coming. The song was a bit dramatic for this specific situation, but everything was a game to Tuner, after all...
"I can't live with him, but I... can't live without him, either..." She said in a broken voice. "He's trying hard to keep me safe, and I get it, but... the memories are killing me, Para... And whenever I see him, I see what happened back at Saddle... I hear it... How do I forget something like that...?"
"You just gotta not worry, and be happy." Para replied. "Don't worry, be happy now." I caught him smiling, and she laughed under her sobbing breath.
"You're bad at this, Para..."
"I'm back at this? Back at what? Being the light of the party?" He grinned, looking down at her.
She giggled a little more at that and began wiping her eyes with her hooves. Shortly after, she clung tight to him and nuzzled his chest, closing her eyes in the process. If she hadn't, she could've have seen me right then and there, eavesdropping...
I backed away and closed the door as gently as I had opened it, then calmly stepped back into the diner where everyone else was.
Before I could sit back in my initial spot, Petiole waved me over from outside. I stepped out, next to the campfire he was preparing.
He placed a few branches down before going back to collect some more from a nearby tree.
"I've been thinking on what I saw in your memories, and I need to ask..." He paused and regarded me. "What are your thoughts on Para?"
"I thought we already went through this." I said, raising a brow.
"Yes. But there's something else, isn't there? Something you're not talking about?"
"I don't..." I shrugged awkwardly. "I don't know what you're talking about..."
"I saw your dream about him, back in the motel, way back in Saddle. The one where you two were cuddling?"
"Dream?" I frowned. "That wasn't a dream."
"Gotcha." He pointed a hoof at me.
Damn it...
"Okay, so I might have a crush on him. So what?" I shrugged again, smirking. "Can't handle the gay?" I paused, and that smug look vanished. "Was... was that cuddling thing really a dream...?"
He nodded before snapping a branch in half and picking up both ends, then tossing them in a small pile, before going for more. "Yes, it was a dream." He paused, only to break another branch and throw the smaller pieces in the same pile as before. "Do you plan on doing anything with him?"
"I dunno. I don't see why it really matters." This was getting a little personal now... This wasn't really his business.
"It matters, because he has the mentality of a colt."
"So? He has the body of a full grown stallion." I replied with a sheepish grin.
At once, his LEDs flashed red, then blue, and he looked me over, staring for the longest time...
"What?" I scowled. "What now?"
"And he has the mind of a colt." He reiterated with emphasis. "A child. You don't see anything wrong with that?"
"Don't see why I should. It's not like he's actually a colt."
"He is, mentally. The things you're saying... that's dangerously close to pedophilia, Charger!"
"Oh come on!" I laughed, waving a hoof at him. "Pedophilia, my ass."
"Do you have a thing for Fluky, too?"
That's when I stopped and stared at him in cold silence...
"... That's different, Petiole. She's a kid. Both mentally and physically. Sure, I like her. But in that way? Hell no."
"What do you like about her?" He asked quickly, before coughing a little. He put a hoof to his throat as he tried controlling his vocals.
"She's tough." I replied just as fast. "Doesn't take shit from anybody. If there's a problem, she'll make sure to let you know. But she also has a soft side... She was raised well, which I imagine isn't common on the surface nowadays." I began to glare at him as he went back to snapping branches. My hoof started to crackle with electricity as a red glow grew behind me. "And I resent your false assumptions that I'm some filly fondler... or colt catcher..."
"Just needed to be sure, Charger. Looking out for the group and all that..."
I walked around him and stepped in his path, looking deep into his visor. I was beyond pissed at that point... My hoof proved it. "How about you take a deeper look in my head then, you undead, soul whispering, sack of pink shit." My hoof began to flare up even more than it already was as I gave him the look I gave so many other unicorns before I tortured and killed them. "I'm a murderer. Not some freak that molests children... But of course, if you don't believe me, you can always just put a gun to my head and fulfill our agreement a year early. I'll even make it easy for you." I pressed my head against the barrel of his rifle, still glaring up at him. "Go on, Petiole. Do it. We both know I deserve it. What are you waiting for?" My voice started to raise. "Do it, motherfucker! Pull the trigger! Be a hero!" I started breathing heavily... shaking...
Admittedly, I was scared of what was waiting for me once I died... But I knew that whatever hell I was going to be thrown into, I deserved it.
He stared down at me in silence for a long while, before backing up and walking around me to drop more branches in the pile that he was going to set on fire for tonight.
"Come on, you wrinkly raisin!" I looked back at him. "Do it! We both know you want to!"
He looked back at me without saying a word, and I continued to glare back at him. His LEDs remained blue.
"Whatever, freak..." I said, making my way past him and going back to where I was going to sit earlier.
Some of Thunder's team were watching from a distance, then stepped aside once I made my way in the building.
"Hey, are you alright...?" Blaze asked, looking me over with worry.
Tezu had joined the table while I was gone, and was now sitting beside his lover.
"Don't wanna talk about it..." I muttered as I pulled out my bottle of absinthe. I ripped the cork off the bottle with my teeth, spat it out, and started chugging.
"Whoa..." Thunderwing spoke softly. I could feel them watching... Judging... Fuck, I didn't care. I needed this... "Hey, slow down..." I felt her wing on my arm, trying to bring it down.
The burn ended up making that happen, however. Not her.
I coughed violently as I slouched over the table, slamming the bottle on the surface.
"What's goin' on, man?" She asked carefully, as if it were a sensitive topic.
"Doesn't matter." I looked at the contents within my bottle to see I had gotten down a quarter of it just now. Half empty, give or take...
I could already feel it starting to hit me. Figured as much. I was drinking on an empty stomach.
"Just gotta have fun." I smiled forcefully at the people around me, then went back to chugging.
They weren't buying it.
Couldn't really blame them...
I wasn't either.


(((((((◉)))))))


That fun I mentioned?
Yeah, that was very short lived.
At some point, I had passed out on an empty stomach.
Guess I wasn't having dinner tonight.
When I woke up, it was sometime in the middle of the night, when everyone - or almost everyone, as I was sure there was someone on watch - was asleep.
It came to my attention that my helmet was on backwards. When I removed it from my head, a puddle of drool parted from my lips - which I proceeded to smack together a few times - and slid out of the protective head gear onto the table.
My bladder was urging me to go outside and find a nice, quiet place to take a piss, so I quickly stood up, slipped my helmet back on properly, and activated my pipbuck light. The room lit up in a dim red as I made my way for the back exit. I had doubts the plumbing here worked anyways...
Along the way, I caught Para and Fluky cuddled up together once more in the corner, fast asleep. In most cases, I thought it was sweet. But this time, it was only a foul reminder of what Petiole said to me earlier that night.
My hoof started to crackle again, shaking me out of my deep thoughts. I looked back to the hall that led to the back of the building and resumed course. My bladder certainly wasn't going to wait...
I checked around my surroundings once I stepped outside, but I didn't see any reds on my E.F.S. Just blues.
One of them was moving around from either inside the building, or on the roof, but I couldn't tell who it was.
I hastily slipped behind a green dumpster and did my business, standing up on my rear hooves as one of my fores pressed against the exterior wall of the building, while the other assisted in aiming the stream somewhere where it wouldn't splash against my rear hooves.
My body was thanking me for it, and I sighed with relief as I released what had been slowly building up inside me for hours. Now, if only there was a way I could release the anger that was being bottled up...
I didn't want to lash out at anyone. But if it came out all at once, then that was exactly what would happen...
A part of me wanted to punch Petiole in his stupid undead face, but that wouldn't solve anything. Only that I respond to problems with retaliation. I didn't want to be that guy...
I sighed as I hung my head down, took my forehoof off the wall that I was using as a support to keep me up on my two hind legs, and dropped down to all fours once my business was concluded. 	Usually, I wouldn't have had to stand like that, but it seemed morning wood came a bit early for me tonight... The slightly cold night air probably had something to do with that.
Sigh...
I carefully zipped up the groinal part of my armor and started to walk back inside. It was a bit tight, considering the hard on I had... But I'd just have to try and ignore it. I was most definitely not in the mood...
I'd just have to deal with Petiole in the morning...
> Channel 001.7; Numb
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's get the other bit of politeness taken care of, shall we? What the bloody, bloody, bloody hell are you doing here?!


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I awoke to a soft, yet slightly colder temperature and breeze. It was warm out here and reeked of burning forest and flesh, but then again, it had been that way for days now. That's not what concerned me...
What did concern me was that my armor was off, even though I distinctly remember falling asleep with it on. What concerned me even more was that when I opened my eyes, I found myself alone, in the middle of a field of grass; dead and dry.
I stood up, groaning before looking behind me to see the treeline of a forest. Looking back ahead of me, I found the highway that led up to the checkpoint tunnel in the far distance. The smoke was getting thinner, but it was still a challenge to make out the silhouette of the donut shop the group and I were resting in for the night.
Suddenly, I felt my stomach lurch. I heaved and retched as I felt something coming up. I hadn't eaten anything last night...
I regurgitated whatever my body was trying to purge itself of, and found a pile of the black, oily gunk that I had puked up, back when I was in the tower with Para.
I quickly backed away from it, halfway between gasping for air and screaming out of horror. I landed on my back in a panic, then quickly rolled over, getting back on my hooves. After staring at it for a long period of time while I panted for breath, I came to the conclusion that it wasn't going to scurry away or attack me. It wasn't moving at all. It was just... there...
Ahead, in the distance, just over the building, I saw what I imagined was Thunderwing taking to the air. Presumably trying to find me.
There was a fit of coughing, hacking, and retching behind me, causing me to swiftly turn around and look. I couldn't see anyone there, but the noise was coming from beyond the treeline.
I made a run for the sound, passing through the brush with haste. The branches scratching against my coat wasn't really a problem for me, though it wasn't the best feeling, either. Still... I've had worse.
Far worse.
I came to a stop when I found Para puking up the same black substance that I had, a few minutes ago. He was stripped of all his gear, too...
"Para..." I moved in close, and he looked up at me, panting. He then wiped his lips clean of the gunk and smiled, but I could tell he was in pain behind that mask. I was too...
"Changer." He coughed up some more of the black, then sighed as he sat on his haunches, trying to catch his breath. He wiped some more of the substance away from his mouth and shook his head. "Must've eaten something bad last night..."
"Para..." I took another step forward. "Do you know why we're out here...?"
He shrugged with a simple smile. "We both sleep walk, I guess. Reckon we wanted to have a camp-out."
I stared down at the pile of vomit between us.
I hadn't thought of it before... Why hadn't I thought about it before...?
It made sense if he was infected with the same virus I had. This... disease... This... darkness that Petiole had described it as. He was right there with me when I charged through the smoke monster... thing, back at the tower.
Why didn't I think of him being infected...?
What did I do...?
... How... how long did we have left to live...?
I sighed as I put a hoof on his shoulder. He looked back up at me with a calm smile, then took my hoof in his. I smiled back, but I was worried as all hell...
I had gotten us both killed...
"We should get back to the others before they assume the worst and move on..." I said softly, to which he stood up. We started walking side by side, back to the shop.
"Before they assume to burst?" He looked me over with a raised brow. "Like, into bubbles? I like bubbles."
I laughed softly and brushed my tail against his flank. "Come on, ya dork." I started to walk a bit faster, and he stayed caught up by my side.


(((((((◉)))))))


I caught Petiole on the roof of the shop, scoping out the land for us. His LEDs shined blue through the smoke, but once the barrel of his sniper moved on to us, they went green.
Shortly after, Thunderwing and her group, along with Fluky, met us at the back exit. I did my best to not look at the filly. I didn't want her on my mind at that time.
"What happened to you two?" Thunderwing asked as we approached.
"Wish I knew the answer to that myself." I replied. "Is our stuff here?"
"Y-yeah..." She looked me over warily, before stepping aside. Para and I stepped inside.
Our gear was put into two different piles. I went to mine and started getting dressed in my barding, while he did the same with his attire and equipment.
Petiole jumped down through the sunroof and groaned upon impact with the surface, as if it had hurt him. It wasn't that big of a drop... Wuss.
"Good to have you back with us." He said calmly as he approached. "Can we talk?"
"Hey, Para?" I said, tapping him on the shoulder. He looked over, and I continued. "Can you give Petiole and I some privacy?"
"Sure thing." He beamed at me, then trotted away happily, back the way we came. My eyes stayed glued to that sweet flank of his... Fuck, I wanted that...
He still had that small dance to his movement whenever he walked, and watching his tail flick from left to right... Nng... I got a little bit of eye candy from that... As if that ass of his wasn't candy enough.
I turned back to Petiole once Para left my sight. He was staring silently at me. I was sure he was judging me...
"What do you want?" I asked, annoyed just by his presence alone.
"I wanted to start off by apologizing for the other night. I know you're not a pedophile, Charger."
"No shit." I deadpanned; my ears folding back as my hoof started to crackle softly. "That it? Can I stop talking to you now?"
"Hear me out first."
I sighed and rolled my eyes, sitting down and adjusting my gear after. "Better make this good."
"I don't... take back what I said about Para having the mind of a child."
"Off to a great start..." I murmured as my hoof flared up with electricity a little.
"But I should have been more professional about it. He, by definition, is an adult. A very immature, deaf, adult. But an adult, no less." He raised a hoof halfway. "And I shouldn't have dragged Fluky in my argument. That wasn't fair of me. So... I'm sorry, Charger..."
I glanced at him for a second after I adjusted the shoulder grip on my rifle. Well... he seemed sincere...
"Yeah, whatever..." I rolled my eyes and started doing an ammo check. "Anything else, ghoul?"
"Okay, I deserved that..." He muttered quietly before shaking my remark away. "I wanted to ask... are you sure it's safe for all of us to be going to Portlandia? I'm perfectly fine with killing ferals, but I can't protect everyone from those freaks. Not even you. I'm starting to think maybe you and the others shouldn't go."
"Hey." I snapped, scowling at him. "This was my plan. And Tuner's... but also mine. If we're careful, we can all make it work."
"Okay, but what's there that the rest of the wasteland doesn't have?"
"Tuner said there's something there I need that I can't find anywhere else, and I believe him."
"Food, drugs, and of course, the primary item of interest that will prove more than useful for Charger." Tuner said.
Wait, where was that coming from?
I looked around until I noticed the radio tucked away in my pouch.
Huh... When did that get there?
"So, let me get this straight..." Petiole began, planting his face in his hoof. "We're going to a ghoul infested city for supplies we already have? Tuner isn't saying what this thing you need is, and that throws me off. This plan is horrible... and I'm surprised no one else has bothered saying anything about it."
"If this place is so infested with ferals, then we'd have a lot of untouched buildings, ready for looting." I quickly added. "The stuff we don't need, we can sell. Then we take those caps, maybe get on a ship or something. Get the hell out of Equestria."
Petiole shook his head. "I have a bad feeling about this, Charger... But you're the one in charge. So I'll... ignore the feeling in my gut and fool myself into thinking you know what you're doing."
"I know what I'm doing..." I murmured, turning away from him and making my way to the back exit.
"Where were you this morning?" Petiole called out, before coughing a little.
I didn't reply. I kept walking.
The rest of the group was waiting outside, near the exit. Fluky was on Para's back, leaned up against the cage with the bunny.
I nodded to the group that watched me.
"10-16 to Portlandia."
The group was silent for a short while, before Blaze spoke up.
"... The fuck did you just say?"


(((((((◉)))))))


We had made our way past the depot after several hours of walking, but I chose for us to go around it. I didn't want to deal with the NCR right now... or ever.
In taking our detour, we had started to walk through a forest. Most of the trees were dead, but there was also flickers of life. Green.
Life in a dead world.
That made me feel a little better about the fate of Equus.
I trotted up to Thunderwing, who walked alongside Destrier at the front.
"Hey..." I spoke quietly.
She looked over with a calm expression. "Hey yourself."
"I gotta ask..." I looked around before resuming. "Do you think I know what I'm doing...?"
"What are you doing?" She smiled faintly, to which I rolled my eyes.
"I mean with where we're going. Do you think it's a good idea?"
"I don't see why not." She shrugged. "None of us have really said anything, because we've kinda wanted to take it over ourselves. At the very least, take the valuables. And like you said earlier, if we plan it carefully, then everything will turn out alright."
I perked up at that. "Wait, you heard my conversation with Petiole?"
She nodded. "Sorry. Eavesdropping is just in my nature. But honestly... he worries too much. I think you have what it takes to lead. He shouldn't just assume the worst."
"Crossing Steel Ranger territory to hide from said rangers still doesn't really make a whole lot of sense, though." Blaze said behind us.
"Yeah, well..." I paused, looking ahead. "We can circle around. Though, I'm not familiar with the surface just yet." I looked back at the team as we continued walking. "Any of you know the territories here?"
Thunderwing nodded. "I do. We'll discuss our next move when we stop to rest." She paused, then muttered to herself. "Really wish I had a map, though..."
Para trotted up to my side. "I have a compass, if that'll help."
"Our pipbucks have compasses built in." I stated, looking at him curiously. I thought he was hard of hearing...
His ears folded back, as if I had told him to fuck off. I sighed and shook my head.
"Can I see your compass then?"
"Yep!" He beamed at me almost immediately. "But it's busted."
... Great, Para. Thanks for the help.
He pulled out a bronze compass and flicked it open to reveal that the needle was spinning out of control.
That was... odd...
Didn't compasses point to strong magnetic signals? Why was this one going crazy?
"Here, let me see that..." I reached out a hoof, and he handed it over.
The moment I touched it, the needle stopped; pointing northwest - though more north than west - even though we were facing south.
"Oh, hey!" Para grinned. "You fixed it!"
"Hardly..." Thunderwing muttered, looking at it. "It's pointing in the wrong direction. Busted was an understatement." She took the compass in her wing, and immediately, the needle spun around to point to the northwest directly...
Or... southeast, geographically speaking...
Weird...
"Hm..." She handed it back to Para, and the needle began freaking out again.
He closed it and put it back in his jacket pocket, only to pull out a red and black candy cane. "I'm sorry I couldn't help..." He spoke softly, frowning, before sticking the cane in his mouth. "Do you accept candy canes as an apology...?"
"Don't worry about it, Para." I smiled faintly and lightly patted him on the shoulder.
He nodded somberly in response.
Thunderwing looked at my pipbuck, then up at me.
"My compass is pointing south." I stated, looking back at her.
"Mine too." Destrier filled in.
"Odd..." She shrugged and took a deep breath. "Guess we'll try and solve that later. We should keep moving in the meantime."
"Agreed." I replied, starting to walk forward.
We were back on the move through the forest, and the smell of burning trees and flesh was gradually starting to fade, the more we ventured south. I couldn't wait to get away from the smell entirely.
For a while, things in the group were silent. I was still pretty upset with Petiole, but he apologized for last night, at least. I went most of my life without apologies. I'd take what I could get.
There was a warehouse far off in the distance, surrounded by the forest we walked through for hours. It seemed long since abandoned, but then again, a lot of things were. I could only hope there weren't a bunch of raiders or radhogs or something like that waiting inside...
I didn't see any reds on my E.F.S., but that was most likely because we were too far away from it.
"What do ya think, guys?" Thunderwing asked, nodding off to the building. "Should we check it out?" She glanced in my direction after, as if she knew I was thinking the same thing.
"It could potentially save us time for when we get to Portlandia. We won't need to worry about grabbing any valuables if there's enough in there." Riot said as he levitated his two combat shotguns out of their holsters and cocking them. 
Everyone turned to me for the final say, to which I nodded. "Sounds good to me. How should we approach?"
"Right." Thunderwing replied with a soft smile. "Destrier, you take the front. I'll be eyes in the sky. Riot, take the rear. Tezu, take the roof. Blaze, try and find a way in through the side. If there isn't one, go with Riot." She turned to me finally. "I'll leave the orders of your crew to you."
I nodded with a faint smile as I turned to my friends. "Petiole, stay behind the treeline and provide long range fire support, in case things go south. Keep a close eye on the group and ensure their safet-"
"Hey, does anyone else hear that...?" Tezu asked, looking up at the sky warily.
"Hear what?" Thunderwing looked at him with a raised brow.
Then Destrier spoke. "Vertibucks. Flock of 'em..."
Thunderwing's eyes grew wide as she looked around, realizing the trees offered little to no shelter. Her wings spread out from her sides. "Everyone, fuck it! Run to the warehouse!"
The group, along with mine, started running for the building in the distance. Para trotted happily with Fluky on his back, and I was about to book it, until I looked back to see Petiole walking.
Oh, FOR FUCKS SAKE!
I went behind him and rammed my head against his rear, pushing him forward. "Move, damn it!"
"It hurts to run."
"IT HURTS TO LIVE! SO MOVE!" I rammed my head against his rear again, but the contact with his metal armor was making my head hurt even more than it already did...
Still, he kept walking!
I could hear the buzzing and whirring of Vertibuck propellers getting closer. There were too many for us!
"C'mon, damn it!" I quickly got under him and lifted my back up, groaning behind clenched teeth as I forced him up off his hooves. He struggled a bit to get off, but I began running for the warehouse.
The others had just made it inside.
The Vertibucks were too close! There was no way we were going to make it!
Thanks for nothing, Petiole!
I looked to my left and quickly jumped into a bush, bringing the armored ghoul with me. It wasn't the most comfortable landing, but it was that or get shot down. I preferred the former over the latter.
With only seconds to spare, the Vertibucks flew overhead in a formation I had seen before.
Four of them stayed in the center, hauling a large metal crate by chains, while the others stayed around them in a circle formation.
Whatever was in there screamed and banged against the walls in desperate attempts to break out. At that moment, I knew just from the screams and roars alone, that it was the undying beast of Stable 32, back at the reactor.
"Enclave or Rangers?" Petiole asked.
I turned to him to see he was by my side, looking up through the leaves of the bush we hid inside. His LEDs were blue.
Turning back to the Vertibucks, I answered. "Does it matter?"
"No... I suppose not. Either way, we're royally fucked."
It was the Steel Rangers. I had high doubts the Enclave used that formation. They seemed too proud to use another faction's. At least, from what I heard of them. But it didn't matter if they were Rangers or Enclave. Petiole was right about one thing. We were royally fucked. If either side had gotten a hold of that thing and figured out how to turn it against us...
I shuddered at the thought and shook, closing my eyes as I hung my head down. "I imagine they're going back to the bunker..." I muttered, looking back at him.
"More than likely..."
Moments passed as we waited for the whirring of Vertibuck propellers to go quiet. We climbed out of the bush and looked at each other, before turning to the warehouse. The others didn't step out yet, so we began making our way over. They were probably already going through the valuables.
"Close call..." I said softly, glancing at him.
"Yep..."
"Petiole..." I sighed and hung my head down. My mane covered my eyes, so I looked back ahead and brushed it out of my sight. "You really need to move when I tell you to."
"I can't run, Charger. I don't know how many times I have to tell you that."
"Well, can't you... you know... take something for the pain...?"
"It won't help any. Can't heal what's already dead. And while radiation restores parts of a ghoul, and may help me move faster, it doesn't help make them feel better. Enough radiation, and they'll turn feral. I'm trying to avoid that for as long as I can."
"Right..." I muttered, before turning to him. He looked back at me quietly. "Well, if we're ever in need of running, can you at least get on my back?"
He sighed before looking back at the building. We were a few steps away from the front entrance, which was left open for us. "I don't like it... but I suppose I don't have a choice. Alright, Charger. You got yourself a deal."
I nodded with a faint smile. "Thank you."
We stepped inside the building, and that's when I noticed red bars starting to appear around the area.  Petiole noticed them too, as he was looking around, alarmed.
I spotted our team on the E.F.S., but there was no way of telling who was who, or what predicament they were in.
"Petiole..." I whispered, to which he glanced in my direction. "You take the left, I'll search the right for everyone else..."
He nodded, then began walking for the left side of the building, as instructed.
Quietly, I made my way along the right wall, keeping my rifle out in front of me; mouth around the grip.
The closest friendly I could see was on the other side of a wall of tall, wooden crates labeled 'CAUTION.'
Hopefully this one was Para...
"10-86." I called out in a whisper.
"What the hell? What's that mean...?" I heard Blaze call out in the same hushed tone I offered.
Okay, not Para...
I shook my head, keeping a close eye on my 6 and 12. "Forget it. Can you get out of there?"
"You tell me, Charger. You're the one with the E.F.S."
I looked around the area, and found a red blip passing by, over the blue. With it, came the sound of heavy footfalls, along with a few sniffs to the air.
"Smell puny pony fear." A deep voice said aloud on the other side.
Oh shit... Oh shit, oh shit, oh SHIIIT we were in hellhound territory! SHIT! That, or Diamond Dog... Either way, we were so dead! I've heard far too many horror stories of them from the other rangers, and that was enough for me to piss myself a little, just by hearing one personally!
The heavy footfalls started again, heading for the entrance that Petiole and I went through. "Want to hear pony hurt!" He started chuckling menacingly, sending a deep shiver up my spine.
I moved my head closer to the crate and whispered softly. "Just... stay there, Blaze... I'll... come to you..."
"Y-you better!" He hissed, sounding just as terrified as I felt. "Or I swear on Celestia's corpse, I'll make it my soul's purpose to haunt you to your last, dying breath!"
I stepped away from the crate and continued on my way, cautiously making my way down the makeshift corridor, with the warehouse wall to my right, and a wall of crates to my left.
There seemed to be a left turn at the far end.
Figured... Had to go through a damn maze filled with hellhounds... or Diamond Dogs... Cyberdogs... whatever they called themselves... Both were terrifying, but the former was pure nightmare fuel. Diamond Dogs were at least a little more manageable. A little...
I knew they dealt a lot with cybernetics, which made them very dangerous...
I really didn't want my limbs getting torn off...
I kept a close eye on my E.F.S. at the bottom of my peripherals, making sure there wasn't anything sneaking around the corner. I made frequent checks on my six.
As I started making my way around the corner of the wall to my left, I turned to look behind me once more, and found a red marker starting to head the way I came.
I paused and watched for a second, before I saw the front half of an 8 foot, fur covered beast walking on two hind legs step into view.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
I quickly jumped behind cover, my heart pounding heavily in my chest. I had just now realized this was a dead end! Fuck me!
I was having trouble breathing, and I couldn't control myself! Fuck, my heart! Hypventilating... can't...!
The heavy footfalls got louder as each second passed! Five beats of the heart between two steps! Ten... Fifteen! Fuck! I was so dead!
There was nowhere to hide! All I could do was count the seconds I had left! Count my frantic heartbeats!
Then something grabbed a hold of me from above.
"AGH, FUCK, NO!" I flailed; my rear hoof bursting with electricity. The heavy footfalls became more rapid, getting closer at an alarming rate!
"HA HA, PONY DEAD NOW!"
I looked up to see Thunderwing desperately trying to keep a firm hold of me. At once, I calmed down in her arms, and she lifted me up onto the tall crate that had made the dead end, and therefore, would have been the death of me. I started to stand up, but she forced a hoof down on my back, keeping me on my stomach. She lied there beside me, putting a pinion to her lips as she regarded me.
The heavy stomps of the hellhound stopped right next to the crate we were hiding atop of, and the beast growled.
"Smell ponies... Hear ponies... No see ponies... Where they go...?" He grumbled in annoyance at this horrible, deadly, not-so-very fun game of hide n' seek.
At least, Tuner would call it a game. I didn't think of it like that! Survival wasn't a game, damn it!
Thunder kept her eyes locked with mine, and when I tried to turn my head to look down at the monster, she put a hoof over me, keeping my head from turning, and keeping my eyes locked with hers. She gently shook her head in response and mouthed the word 'no.'
The beast's footsteps receded back down the hallway, and she let out a small breath.
"Glad to see you made it without getting ripped in half..." She muttered.
"We need to get the others. It's only a matter of time until they find our friends..."
"Noted." She said with a firm nod. "We need to play it safe, though. Where's Petiole?"
"Looking for the others. On the left side of the building."
She clenched her teeth for a second, but I quickly spoke again.
"So long as he stays hidden, he should be okay..."
"I hope for his sake, you're right... Ghouls have a pretty strong scent. Stronger than the living..."
Shit... Why didn't I think of that? I mean... I didn't smell anything on him since he got inside that suit of armor, and he's kept it on this entire time... Maybe the armor was preventing his decayed scent to escape?
I stayed optimistic about his well-being. "I think he'll be okay."
"Alright..." She glanced around the warehouse, before turning to me once more. "I can't find any of the others. Not without you. Serves me right for not having a Pipbuck..." She muttered, glancing at the metal bracelet on my forehoof. "Did you manage to find anyone?"
"Blaze, but that's about it. I didn't contact the others yet, but I have them on my E.F.S."
"Good. We need to gather them up and evacuate asap."
"Couldn't agree more. Let's start with Blaze."
"On it." She nodded. "Lead the way."
I started to carefully crawl forward along the top of the crates, heading towards where I heard Blaze. His blip was still there, so that meant he was still alive. But with the hellhounds snooping around, this was going to prove difficult without getting seen...
We stopped where his blip was, and I poked my head out, checking our surroundings, before looking down at him, curled up in a ball behind a smaller crate, shaking.
"10-86." I whispered, to which he looked up at me; his eyes widened in fear.
Thunderwing poked her head out next, and he looked a little more relieved than when it was only me.
"We'll get you out of there..." She whispered softly.
Then, before any of us could begin the extraction, a set of large, jagged claws wrapped around my form.
"GOTCHA!"
"SHIT!" I bit down on the grip as my body was pulled off the top of the crates.
Thunderwing quickly grabbed a hold of me, but it wasn't helping much. The hellhound was stronger, and would only take the two of us, unless she let go. Electricity was coursing through my hoof as my heart pounded in fear. I could see a lot of reds moving around more frantically. Oh, I was so fucked!
"GO!" I shouted behind the grip, pushing Thunder back. She lost her grip, and my body slammed against the floor, stomach first.
I felt the weight of the hellhound push down on my back with a foot as it started to pull my forehooves in opposite directions. I could hear and feel them popping out of their sockets, causing me to bite down on the grip in agony; therefore wasting ammo.
That wasn't important right now, though! As my arms were being torn from my body, I could feel my ribs starting to cave in on my internal organs!
I screamed and cried out as loud as my flooded voice and collapsing lungs allowed me. I flailed my rear hoof around to try and strike some part of the monster atop me so I had a chance of escaping, but it was to no avail. I had no chance.
"PUNY PONY CRY TOO MUCH!" He shouted with a dry, heavy chuckle as he applied more pressure to my back. My E.F.S. display flickered out of existence, and both my forearms were ripped off entirely, dropped on both sides of me. I couldn't bear to look... I didn't need to in order to know what had happened...
I heard and felt the cracking of bones, and suddenly, the taste of... something else... filling my mouth. Not iron...
This was cold and bitter.
The corners of my vision grew darker, closing in for the center. Sound was turning to silence, and I was finding it difficult to stay awake...
It seemed that lately... my life rested on ticking hands...
Time was a real son of a bitch...
Now it was time to sleep...
I heard the muffled shouts of my friends, followed by a barrage of gunfire, as I gradually went blind and deaf. My vision blurred as it got darker, until there was nothing left to see. At that point, there was nothing left to hear, either.
And then there was nothing left to feel...


(((((((◉)))))))


"Hey there, son. You alright?"
I heard a familiar voice as I lied on a cold, wet surface. I could sense a light above me through my closed eyelids, and my armor seemed to be missing, as I felt the gentle shower of rain against my body. The night air was filled with pollution, and in the distance, I could hear traffic.
I opened my eyes to see a set of green hooves standing before me, along with the sleeves of a worn, brown leather jacket.
I looked up to see an earth pony buck with a disheveled brown mane standing before me with a scruffy beard, giving me a weird look behind dark blue, tired eyes. Dirt covered his features, along with his clothes, and I noticed a tin cup at his side, sitting on the ground.
"Wh... where am I...?" I asked, looking up at the dark skies. There was no moon, nor were there any stars. Only clouds and smoke stacks from power plants.
"Well, ya gone and wound up in Manehatten, chump." He held out a hoof, and I grabbed a hold of it. He helped me up, and I continued look around.
"Where are my friends? How did I get here?"
"Ah, well that's just it, init?" He gave me a kooky look as he continued. "Yer not s'posed to be here. None of us are. It all lies fabricated by the government. Nopony believes me, but you know it all an illusion, son. I tell ya... Pinkie knows somethin', but her and her hoity toity 'Ministry o' Morale' are coverin' it all up. I tellin' ya, they in on it! But do they keep the ponies of Equestria up ta date? No! No. They. Don't!"
That voice...
One... This was One, from the battery. One. The bum on the streets of Manehatten.
And now I was in Manehatten, talking to him...
"What's... what's your name?" I asked, doing my best to ignore the stench beaming off him. I think he went a few... months... without a shower. Or in this case, two centuries.
"I..." He paused, then slouched. "Them vermin took it from me..." He muttered, sitting down on the wet pavement with his bare flank. "They took mah name... Mah life... They dug in deep, and they done did stole it all... I know it was them... Always askin' questions... Always demandin' answers..." He put his hooves over his ears and closed his eyes tight. "GET OUTTA MAH HEAD!"
I backed up a few steps, only to bump into...
Oh my...
A dragoness about the same size as Tezu stood there, glaring me down.
"Watch where you're goin', ya clumsy shit!"
I continued to stare in awe at her dark red, shimmering spikes and her razor sharp claws... those teeth...
"What, you retarded or somethin'? I said MOVE!" She stepped forward, bumping into me hard.
"A-actually, you didn't." I stated. "You said to watch where I was going. That's not exactly telling me to move."
She paused, regarding me in surprise, before chuckling softly. "Okay, you know what...?" With that, she picked me up off the ground and tossed me to the side. I landed in a puddle in the street, groaning in discomfort as I struggled to get up.
"That was just a warning!" She shouted. "Next time, I shed blood!" She shouted as she continued on her way, ignoring One.
The bum seemed to avert his eyes from her as she passed, and he got into fetal position, rocking back and forth; muttering to himself.
I stood up and shook my coat, slowly making my way back to the sidewalk.
"Ah, damn it..." Another familiar voice said as a pegasus in an aviators jacket trotted up to me. He had a set of aviators tucked in one of the chest pockets. His dark grey mane was well groomed, as was his blue coat and wings. His eyes were that of emeralds. "I'm sorry about that, kid. She's kinda a bitch."
"Yeah, well Tuner warned me about Six..." I muttered.
He smiled faintly and patted me on the shoulder. "I think it's time we went to go meet him."
"Tuner?"
"Yep."
"Well, where is he...?"
The obvious Vertibuck pilot pointed to the door next to us, to which they opened, revealing a dance floor... with no dancers.
Regardless, club music was playing within. It had a DJ PON3 feel to it. I had managed to get a few of the rangers to try and find some of her work, back from the prewar times, after they introduced me to one of her records that they found lying around.
It had a pretty nice tune to it, and I had only heard a few seconds of it so far. It started with a distorted, echoed voice of a mare.
The pilot started to make his way forward, and I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked over to see One standing close to me.
"Watch your back, Charger... Not everything is as it seems..."
"Hey, you comin'?" Two asked, looking back at me with a smile that... gah, fuck, he was good lookin'...
I heard the tin cup rattle, and I looked back at One to catch him shaking it in front of me. "Spare a bit, sir?"
"S-sorry... I don't... have... any..."
He nodded with a sad, tired look in his eyes. "Goddess bless you, sir..." And with that, he turned around and started rattling the can at the... streetlight...?
... Okay then.
I turned back to Two and followed him inside. The doors closed behind us, as if they had a will of their own.

Ooo, I
I know you better, I know you better than her
Inside
Under the cover, I know you better than her

Ooo, I
I know you better, I know you better than her
Inside
Under the cover, I know you better than her

You wanna run around, then tell me now
Tell me now
Cause I need to believe that this is solid ground
Solid ground

You wanna run around, then tell me now
Tell me now
Cause I need to believe that this is solid ground
Solid ground

The song started to build up, until a loud, scratchy bass started blasting. Lights of various colors flickered and moved around the dance floor with the beat of the song. On the other side, against the wall, was a DJ booth, but I was blinded by too much light to really see anyone behind it.
Even though there weren't any ponies dancing here, I noticed a few sitting around at the bar, or at a table.
One of them that peaked my interest with appearance alone had a white body, and instead of hooves, they seemed to have spikes, almost like the legs of a spider. Their limbs seemed to have extra joints that ponies didn't. 
Spines ran up and down their back, and their eyes were pitch black. I noticed their eyelids closed from the sides, instead of the top and bottom.
It looked at me with a blank expression, and that's when I noticed... it didn't have a mouth! There was nothing there! Not even nostrils! How was it breathing!? What the hell was that thing!?
I quickly averted my eyes from the horrorshow and followed Two across the dance floor, past all the flashing lights.
From there, I noticed a husky male earth pony at the bar counter, serving drinks - grudgingly, I might add - and Happy sitting at a bar stool, sucking on a candy cane after dipping it in a glass of Wild Pegasus whiskey.
He wore an overcoat, just like in the wanted posters.
He turned to me and grinned, raising his glass to me.
I looked the other way, doing what I could to ignore him. I didn't want to associate myself with that psychopath...
We stepped up to the DJ booth at the wall, and Two shouted over the music.
"Hey, we got a guest here!"
A purple unicorn with yellow eyes poked his head over the DJ equipment and raised a brow. "Well, this is certainly a surprise!" He adjusted a few knobs and dials on his set up, before stepping off stage, looking me over. He had red, a darker shade of purple, and blue for three stripes in his black mane and tail. His bangs hung over the top of his eyes. He had several glowing bracelets of various colors wrapped around all his hooves, save for his right rear. "Fuck, you're even hotter in person!"
I rolled my eyes, but honestly... he was pretty nice looking, too. Okay, so two attractive ponies in... wherever I was... Oof, choices...
Tuner smiled to the pilot. "Thanks for bringing him to me, Two."
"Don't mention it, Tuner." He smiled and turned around, heading toward the weird creature that stood in the corner awkwardly, watching people carefully. It backed up a little once it noticed him coming closer, and he raised a hoof halfway, trying to reassure the strange entity that everything was okay. It seemed to calm down a little, and he continued to approach.
Tuner put a hoof on my shoulder, and I looked back at him to see a smile that was already melting my heart...
"Let's grab a drink, you and I." He said softly as he inched closer to my muzzle. He waited at the perfect time to say that, as the music had gotten a little quieter at that time, before picking up again.
I nodded, and together, we walked side by side, toward the bar. I noticed Tuner swaying his hips a little, rubbing his flank against mine...
Ahh, okay...
He laughed at my blush, but I couldn't help but smile a little. He was definitely a teaser...
"Four!" He called out, taking a seat at the bar.
Happy kept his eyes on me as he grinned away, but I did well to ignore it.
Four looked over, scowling at him as he washed a glass.
"Set us up with two whiskeys! Top shelf! This is a special occasion!"
The dark red buck grumbled to himself as he turned around, setting up our drinks.
"Are we in the battery...?" I asked, looking around at the other ponies around us.
Tuner nodded with a faint smile. "'Fraid so. I apologize for the confusion of this place. But... you're not supposed to be here."
"I know..." I muttered, hanging my head down. I didn't know why I was here, but I knew I was supposed to be...
The grouchy bartender set down two glasses of whiskey before us, glaring at me and Tuner. "50 bits."
"50 bits!?" I blurted. "I don't have 50 bits! That's outrageous!"
"Don't have 50 bits?" He said with clenched teeth. "Don't have whiskey, either." With that, he took my glass away.
"Ah, come on, Four." Tuner started with a grin, resting his elbows on the surface of the counter while his head rested in his folded forehooves. "Don't be such a party pooper. We both know that money here is meaningless. Hell, this isn't even your bar."
"Fuck you." He hissed, glaring at the DJ. "I hate you both."
"Well, at least the feeling's mutual, love." Tuner replied, blowing him a kiss.
Four recoiled, sneering in disgust. "Homo..." He muttered, leaving to another section behind the bar, trying to ignore everyone.
Tuner levitated the glass back to me. "Bottoms up, sailor." He said with his endearing grin.
We both raised our glasses, clinked, and drank.
"Ah, fuck..." I shuddered, as did Tuner. He slapped his forehoof against the counter a few times as he shook his head.
"Hoo! That hit the spot. Kicks like a horse." He chuckled, then looked me over, smiling, before his magic reached over the counter, grabbing the bottle of Wild Pegasus. He began pouring us both a drink.
"I wish I could obliterate your souls." Four said, glaring at us from afar. "That goes for everyone here. Especially Seven."
Tuner set the bottle down after filling our drinks a quarter full as he grinned back at Four with a teasing look in his eyes. "I really wish your words would turn into ice cubes, so I could fill my drink."
Four grimaced as he turned away once more.
Well played, Tuner...
I smacked my numb lips a few times and smiled at him as I laughed softly. I still had questions, though. I didn't want to spend my time here drinking.
"So... if we're in the battery... then why does it look like Manehatten?"
"Ah, yeah..." Tuner gave a brief nod. "Interesting thing about that... The setting is always changing after a few hours."
"The setting changes?" I raised a brow.
"Mhm." He nodded. "We don't really get a say in the matter. And it's random each time. There's no real pattern. Something I've gathered over the years is that each setting is based off another person's memory, here in the battery. But the memories of people don't really stay with the memories of the setting, for some reason..." He shrugged, then slouched as he rested his hooves on the counter, looking down at his drink. "The Manehatten you saw? That was One's memory. This place? A memory of mine, back when I actually had a body... Saddle. Got a gig to play at a club for a week."
"Wait..." I froze. "But if I was just in Manehatten, and suddenly ended up in a club clear on the other side of Equestria..."
Tuner glanced over with a smirk, before taking a deep breath. "Sometimes memories will get mixed up with each other."
"... And so, for two centuries, you've been living through each others memories...?"
He nodded, looking somber. "Unfortunately. Some memories are good, like this one. Others... not." He closed his eyes and took another deep, shuddering breath. "Sorry... Sorry..." He patted me on the shoulder and straightened up, before downing his entire glass. He shook a bit, then coughed. "Agh... H-hey, let's get out of here." He stood up and stretched his limbs.
"And go where?" I raised a brow before finishing off my drink.
I felt two hooves hug me from behind, meeting at my chest... There was a light nibble at my ear, before he whispered.
"Well, I have a room reserved for me upstairs... Let's start there..."


(((((((◉)))))))


"So, what was that music playing downstairs?" I asked as we made our way through the halls. The second floor and above seemed to just be doors to apartments. Kinda weird, for a night club...
"Ah." Tuner grinned. "DJ PON3. Wonderful artist, wouldn't ya say?"
Ha! I knew it was PON3!
"Yeah, he's pretty great." Tuner continued, and my smile faded to confusion.
He? Wait... I thought PON3 was a mare...
"Don't you mean she?"
Tuner chuckled. "I think we're talking about different PON3's. You don't know of this one. This one's... let's put it... interdimensional." He raised a hoof halfway as we walked, tilting it side to side a little.
"Oh..." I shrugged. "Well, that was a really good song back there."
"Hell yeah, it is." Tuner replied as he levitated a key out from his mane.
We stopped at a door to our left, which read '32.'
I wasn't too comfortable with that...
Last time I went through a door labeled 32, I got my gut torn through by a buzzsaw, got my rear hoof broken, along with a messed up back, then shortly after that, got it cut off by a tentacle, before getting orally raped by more tentacles that belonged to something of nightmares!
So... yeah... I wasn't too comfortable with this door and the number that accompanied it...
Tuner unlocked the door to his unit and pushed it open, flicking on a light with his magic. He stepped in after, tucking the key back into his mane and flicking his tail at me, before his flank disappeared behind the wall.
I peeked my head in after taking a deep breath, only to find a normal room. There was some more DJ equipment in the corner, along with a black, electric guitar in the shape of an Anarchy symbol. A unique design, for sure...
The other side of the room had a bed big enough for the company of two.
The closet was filled with fancy clothing, and beside it, a radio.
Tuner raised up on his hind legs, spun around to face me, then leaned back, collapsing on his bed with his arms spread out. His body bounced a little from the springs, and he sighed happily.
"Sooo..." I paused, looking around as I slowly stepped in further, closing the door behind me with a rear hoof. Hey, wait... I didn't have a metal hoof! It was natural again! "This is your place?"
He kept himself up halfway, using his forearms as leverage against the mattress so he could look at me.
"Do you like it?"
"I... actually do." I smiled faintly. "It's very clean here. And the oxygen feels... fresh."
He chuckled softly and sat up straight for a few seconds, before getting up and moving to the radio.
"What do you remember last, before coming here?" He asked, turning the device on.
I paused, thinking about what had happened to me, prior to my arrival here.
Wait... Oh... Fuck... I... I died... didn't I...?
"My... ribs got crushed, and I think my organs failed..." I shuddered, sitting on my haunches as I hugged myself close to make sure my forearms were still attached. "My arms got torn off!"
He looked back at me with a dropped jaw. He closed it again, then closed his eyes for a few quiet seconds. Eventually, he opened them again with a disturbed look.
"Oh man... Yeah, that hellhound sure squeezed you out like a tube of toothpaste... I'm sorry, Charger..." He turned around to face me directly, moved in close, and wrapped a comforting hoof around the back of my neck. He nuzzled my cheek, to which I closed my eyes to his touch.
He may have messed up a few times in the past, what with possessing Para... but... I didn't think that Tuner was all that bad. He seemed to care, deep down... I... felt safe here... With him.
A soft tune started to play on the radio, before a steady beat began. I opened my eyes, and shortly after, Tuner moved his head back a little. His hoof stayed glued to the back of my neck though, and his muzzle softly pressed against mine.
I felt myself blushing as we gazed longingly into each other's eyes.

It was late in December, the sky turned to snow
All around the day, was it going down slow
Night like a river, beginning to flow
I felt the beat of my mind go drifting

With these time passages
Years go falling in the fading light
Time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight

"Another good song, so far..." I said softly, to which Tuner giggled.
"Definitely."
"Interdimensional?"
"You know it."
I chuckled softly and put my hoof around the back of his neck. He closed his eyes, and before I knew it, his lips were pressed to mine.
I closed mine shortly after, pressing into him a little.
It lasted for a few seconds, before he broke the kiss, smiling at me.
"I've waited to do that for far too long..." Tuner said softly, before backing up a little. He started dancing softly to the beat of the song, circling me as he did. Shortly following that, he began lip singing with the song as he kept his eyes locked on me.

Well, I'm not the kind to live in the past
The years run too short, and the days too fast
The things you lean on, the things that don't last
Well, it's just now and then, my line gets cast

Into these time passages
There's something back there that you left behind
Oh, time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight

Tuner stopped before as a saxophone started to play, and smiled as he continued with the lip singing shortly after.

Hear the echoes
And feel yourself starting to turn
Don't know why you should feel there's something to learn

Tuner put a hoof under my chin as he inched closer to my muzzle, looking deep into my eyes again.

It's just a game that you play...

He went back to dancing to the music. I couldn't help myself. I joined in. I wasn't the best dancer, seeing as I never bothered trying. But this was fun! A little embarrassing, but fuck... I may have been dead now, but I was going to live in the moment.
For a while, the saxophone resumed as Tuner and I danced around each other, smiling and giggling at our dorkiness. He managed to keep up with the lip movement, all the same.

Well, the picture is changing
Now you're part of a crowd
They're laughing at something, and the music's loud
A girl comes towards you, you once used to know
You reach out your hoof, but you're all alone

And those time passages
I know you're in there, you're just out of sight
Oh, time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight

Even for slow dancing, I was still a wreck, but Tuner didn't seem to mind it. He seemed to be enjoying his time with me, actually. I know I was.
As the saxophone came back into play, he quickly stopped dancing, slid closer to me, and before I could process what was happening, we fell into another kiss; this one deeper and more passionate than the first.
We held each other close as his tongue met with mine. Like the first time, I pushed in a little, and he laughed softly behind our intimacy.
His chest pressed against mine as he started getting more into it, and as the song started to end, he navigated me to the bed. I sat down on the soft, cloud-like mattress, and immediately, he broke the kiss, only to make contact with my neck.
His teeth sank into the flesh and muscle of my neck, and even though it hurt a little, that's how I preferred it. Otherwise it was too timid and boring. He knew my weaknesses, apparently...
He broke contact with my neck, leaving a spot of saliva there as he went for my shoulder; biting down on a tender muscle.
I let out a soft moan as my eyelids fluttered closed. My hooves wrapped around his body, to which he caressed my chest and stomach.
I was a switch, so being dominated wasn't really a problem for me. It seemed like lately, I've been more on the submissive side, anyways.
I was already excited before he even started with the neck biting, but now it was getting unbearable...


(((((((◉)))))))


After he had finished giving oral services - and shared some of the reward mouth to mouth with me, no less - we were snuggled up together on his bed. His ear was pressed against my chest as I looked up at the ceiling, smoking a cig. Hot damn, was he good with his tongue...
I felt his hoof on my chest as he murred softly. I looked down to see his eyes were closed as he smiled. Obviously, he felt good. I felt great.
Everything was peaceful. This was what being dead was like? Peaceful? Bliss?
If that was the case, then I didn't want to wake up. This was where I wanted to be for all eternity. No Everafter. No Hell, or Tartarus, or whatever. Just... here. In the battery. Snuggled up with Tuner in a memory of his apartment.
Though, according to him, the scenery was changing once every few hours or so. To other memories that other trapped souls held.
That could have been a problem. Especially with Happy and Four in here with us.
... And me...
"Mm..." Tuner moaned under his breath as he looked up at me with his soft, endearing smile. "You okay?"
I looked down at him for a few seconds, took my cig away, blew some smoke away from him, then kissed him gently. Only after, did I answer.
"I'm perfect..."
Tuner giggled, looked up at my forehead, and poked it with a hoof. Or... something on my forehead. What the hell...?
Something hard... rigid... something... a part of me...
I put my hoof over where he prodded, but I still couldn't believe what I was feeling...
No... This... this wasn't possible!
"I'm a unicorn...?" I asked, trying to look up at the horn that was evidently on my head. Still, I couldn't see it. It was out of view. But it was most definitely there... I could feel it... "H-how is this possible?" I asked in alarm, sitting up. Tuner moved away and watched me silently, still lying down on his side. I gave him a long, silent look before pointing a hoof at him, clenching my teeth. "Did you know about this all along...?"
He nodded somberly, and his smile faded. "I'm sorry, Charger... I truly didn't want to keep it from you as long as I did, but... well... it's just a rule of the game." He sat up straight to get on my level.
"Game?" I glared. It was a surprise I wasn't hearing electricity crackling from my hoof... "My life..." I froze, remembering I was dead now. "... My... past... THING..." I waved my hooves over my head, not sure of what to call this. Afterlife...? Some form of Purgatory or Limbo? "It's. Not. A. GAME!"
He sighed and shook his head. "Said it before. I'll say it again. Yes. It is. But some games aren't as fun as others."
I gritted my teeth at his response, ready to beat him bloody. He slouched.
"What else do you know about me? How come I don't have a horn in the real world?"
He shook his head again. "I can't tell you. Even if I could, I wouldn't. Life is often easier to live with eyes closed."
...
"You have something to do with White Noise, don't you...?" I narrowed my eyes at him, now suspicious.
"Hardly." He stood up with a blank expression and opened his closet door. There was a glow from within as his horn lit up, and out came a bottle of Wild Pegasus, and two glasses. "I need a drink... Want one?"
"I WANT ANSWERS!" I shouted.
"Well, I'm sorry, Charger. But you're not getting them from me." He looked back with a serious tone of voice.
"You have no right!" My voice began to wobble as my eyes burnt.
"I have every right. I know it might not seem fair, but it really is for the best. You'll find out in your own time, someday. But it won't be from me... It's just not meant to be." He began to pour himself a drink, swirled the contents around in his glass a bit, then drank it all in one go. "Hoo... Man... Hooman... Humaaaan." He chuckled and poured himself another glass. "Hey, you wanna see something cool?" He grinned, looking back at me, but I really wasn't in the mood for this crap... I was being toyed with... Just like I had been me entire miserable existence!
"No..." I inhaled deeply as I stared him down. "Not really..."
"Ah, come on. Trust me, you'll love it." With that, his horn lit up, and a screen flashed before us, showing Destrier, Rivet, Blaze, and I holding the line at the checkpoint, a few days ago. A heavy guitar shredded in the background as we did what we could to keep the ghouls at bay.
... Okay, that was pretty badass...
But I was still really upset with him...
I was upset with a lot of things.
Bristle, Firebright, and CrimsonThunder... Petiole... Tuner... Happy... Four... Fester... Rivet... White Noise...
..... Myself...
My past...
Even if I found out the truth, what could I do...?
What could I do...?
I couldn't get justice for whatever happened... I couldn't give Crimson what he deserved... for what he did to my mother...
I couldn't do anything about my horn missing, back in the real world...
Everyone was going to get away with what they did to me...
All I'd be able to do is sit here in the battery, forever thinking about whatever the truth was, assuming I'd ever get it...
All I could do was sit in the memory of others, and if I was lucky, drink my problems away.
I was dead now. My soul was trapped.
I may as well have had a drink...
"Pour me a glass..." I muttered, waving a hoof at him and looking away.
He nodded, and the screen vanished, along with the music. He started pouring me a glass, then levitated it over to me. I took it with my hooves, despite me having a horn now. I didn't know how to use it just yet...
He filled my drink to the brim, however. I looked up at him with a raised brow.
"Why?"
He grinned and shrugged. "Why not? Sounds like you need it more than I."
Well... he wasn't wrong...
I started off with a few large gulps, before my throat said 'enough.'
He snorted and sat down beside me as I coughed, doing my best to keep my mouth closed so that I didn't spill any of the alcohol that remained in my mouth.
Before too long, I managed to get a hold of my gag reflexes and swallow the happy sleepy juice, before lying on my back and relaxing. I traced the tip of my hoof around my horn as I stared up at the ceiling with a blank expression.
"I'm sorry about that, Charger." Tuner said softly, brushing the mane out of my eyes as he looked down at me. "I hope you know that..."
"Yeah..." I muttered. "I'll live... or... not, I guess... Dead now."
"That makes the two of us..." Tuner replied. "Nine of us, or whatever..." He smiled faintly, before sighing and looking up at the ceiling.
There was a light knock at the door, and I sat up with curiosity on my mind.
Tuner's smile grew a little, and he called out. "Enter!"
A pegasus filly with a darker shade of teal for a coat opened the door. Her lively eyes were a dark grey, and her bedhead mane, a midnight purple.
"Hey!" She said as she trotted in, looking up at me specifically. "It's great to finally meet you, sir!"
"Uh..." I smiled awkwardly. "It's nice to meet you... too?"
Tuner chuckled. "Charger, meet Seven. Otherwise known as Midnight Sky." He paused and whispered softly in my ear. "The only other soul trapped in here apart from you, me, and Happy that actually remember our names. Everyone else seems to have forgotten theirs when they got in here... No thanks to One..."
I flicked my ear against his muzzle, and he backed away, scrunching his face up.
Midnight giggled at his reaction. "You're silly."
Tuner chuckled softly and stood up, making his way across the room. "Yeah..." With that, he started to dig into his closet. The filly turned back to me with a certain light in her eyes...
What I didn't expect was for her to hug me tight. Her muzzle buried into the coat of my chest. I tensed up at the random contact.
Tuner was still minding his own business.
A few seconds after, she spoke.
"I like what you did for Fluky..."
Tuner looked back at us and froze, watching, as a bag of candy canes floated beside him, enveloped in the purple aura of his magic.
Something began pulling at me. Some invisible force... Pulling me... out. Somewhere... And even though I wasn't moving, I could feel myself start to slip.
Slip into another reality...
What awaited me?
The Everafter? Hell?
Another Limbo?
"It's not your time..." She whispered, before speaking up. "Tell Fluky about me." She said softly with a faint smile. "I could use another friend." Her smile widened a little.
Tuner's eyes went wide, and he started to rush forward; the bag of candy dropping to the floor.
"Midnight, no, wai-!"


(((((((◉)))))))


Everything changed.
That sweet, fresh air was quickly replaced by the burning forests and flesh. The air, hot and heavy on the lungs, which gasped for even a gulp as my eyes shot wide open, staring up at the sickly sky that the sun fought in desperate attempts to get through; making it even uglier, as it's orange haze mixed with the fog. The idea sounded pretty, but it wasn't...
It was as if all the pegasi had vomited all at once, and it was caught up in the clouds, unable to seep through and rain down on us.
Flakes of ash snowed down on my body as I lied there on my aching back. My chest moved up and down as I fought to get oxygen back. That foul taste before I died filled my mouth...
I was back...
Somehow, I was still alive...
Right... cause me dying the way I should have would have been far too merciful for a monster like me...
I rubbed my head, only to find that I was an earth pony. The horn was gone...
I sat up to find myself in the middle of a forest, behind a familiar bush that I had jumped in not too long ago with Petiole. Turning around, I saw the warehouse I had 'died' in.
I had been stripped of all my armor and gear, and my body was covered head to hoof in black stains. I may have been covered in... whatever this stuff was... but I wasn't finding any blood, or injuries, for that matter. My arms and back hurt like hell, though. But... no wounds...
And weren't my arms ripped off...? Why where they back?
Way too many questions were running through my head in such short notice, and none were getting answered...
I heard faint chatter in the distance, back the way we came from before the warehouse incident.
I stood up on all fours, groaning to myself as my bones cracked and popped, as if I had been lying still for centuries. Nothing was broken, oddly enough. And the E.F.S. was back in my vision.
I brushed the mane out of my eyes and started forward quietly.
About half a minute or so in, I had spotted the group that I was traveling with. There was Hap... Para, Fluky, and Petiole, along with Thunderwing and her group. One of Destrier's guns seemed to to be torn off his armor, and Tezu's right wing was missing. All that remained was a bandaged stump, much like Para's. He was lying down, keeping his eyes closed. Blaze sat beside him, holding him close worriedly.
And there was my gear. Laid strewn about. The back of the armor seemed a bit caved in, judging from what I was seeing of it from here.
Thunderwing glanced over for a brief second, then froze upon seeing me; her jaw dropped.
But only for a second.
The next, her guns were on me, as were Destrier's. The rest just stared silently.
Not Petiole, though.
He stepped in the way.
"Don't." He said calmly, his LED flashing blue.
"Get the fuck out of the way!"
Para threw a pebble, but she did well to ignore it.
"It's Charger." Petiole continued.
"Like hell it is!" Another pebble, and she gave him her murderous gaze. "Para, I swear, if you do that one more time!"
"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" I asked softly, looking around at the group before me.
Destrier glanced at his leader, then back at me, saying nothing.
"Thunder..." Blaze spoke softly as he stood up. "It's Charger. I get that you're freaked out..."
"Freaked out!?" She scoffed. "You have no idea what happened the last time I encountered one of them! I swore that it would be the last time, though!" She quickly flapped her wings, jumped over Petiole, and came at me.
I didn't fight back.
I didn't run.
I stood there...
I was quickly slammed into the ground. The pain in my back flared up, but I didn't acknowledge it.
I opened my eyes to look down the other end of her laser rifles, ready to disintegrate me.
I wasn't scared.
I wasn't defensive.
I was accepting...
I looked past the barrels, into her murderous eyes, feeling a numbing calm grow inside me.
I didn't yell.
I didn't plea for my life.
I whispered...
"Do it... please..."
My life felt like a lie. I had discovered something about me in the battery. Something I had not once suspected, despite the more recent hints getting thrown in my face. The Pipbuck even told me I was a unicorn, but I shrugged it off as a system error.
Not to mention the severe migraines that I was always getting.
I was a unicorn at one point. I had to have been.
My life was a lie, and I wanted it to be over. I had enough.
Thunderwing stared me down for the longest time, but I continued to look up at her, feeling numb.
I didn't glare.
I didn't weep.
I stared silently...
I wasn't gonna go to the place that was the best, for sure. I was a monster. But anywhere was better than living here.
She sighed, closing her eyes and lowering her guard as she backed off of me. I sat up, and she turned her back to me.
"Why didn't you shoot?" I asked quietly, looking at her.
She glanced over her shoulder, then hung her head down. "Cause... I still think of you as my friend... If that really is you in there, Charger... then that means my friend is. I don't want to lose him if I don't have to..." She moved over to my armor and slid it over to me. "We'll move out when you're ready..." With that, she and her team moved for the warehouse. Perhaps it had been cleared?
As she passed by, she muttered. "Blood isn't supposed to be black..."
My group started to approach me, and Para smiled. "Did ya sleep well?"
I murmured under my breath, not really saying anything. Just... mumbling, I guess. I didn't want to talk. I didn't want to breathe. I didn't want to feel my heart beating. I wanted it all to stop.
I wanted to die.
There was too much about myself that I didn't even know... A whole new side to this shitty life I've been living.
I was... so very tired...
"Come, Para..." Petiole said softly, stopping beside him and Fluky. "Let's give him some privacy..." His LEDs went green.
"Awww, but Charmer just woke up! I missed him!"
Para was more right than he realized. I had woken up. For the first time in my life, my eyes were opening. REALLY opening, and I was seeing more. I didn't have the full picture yet, but I was going to get it...
My mother... My missing horn that I never even knew I really had to begin with... My birthright was taken from me, and I was tired of the constant bullshit that those fucking rangers put me through...
Mutilated, raped, defiled... The one pony in that bunker that made me truly happy was taken from me... and I had enough. I thought I couldn't take it anymore. And I couldn't. But with this new knowledge, my heart found a new way to shatter. When I thought it wasn't possible anymore... When I thought there was no way it could shatter anymore than it already had...
I was left more broken than I had ever been in my entire life...
"Now, Para." Petiole said in a strict tone as his LEDs flashed blue again. He coughed a little from the strain to his voice.
Para pouted, and his ears wilted as he walked away. Fluky went with, but not before patting me on the head gently.
Petiole started to leave, but I placed a hoof on his shoulder. He stopped and looked down at me, his LED remaining blue.
"Stay... please..."
He looked over at the warehouse for a while, before moving closer to me. "What's wrong?" He asked calmly.
Everything...
Everything was wrong... and there was nothing I could do to fix it...
I waited.
Waited for everyone to get in the warehouse.
Waited for them to leave our sight.
Moments passed, and throughout that short amount of time, tears were fighting their way through. My eyes burned, and I closed them tight as I quickly wrapped my hooves around my friend.
He recoiled a moment, but then relaxed a little. He put a hoof around my form as my shoulders bounced up and down between the now uncontrollable breakdown. Tears washed down my face as I held him tight, and my breathing became labored.
"Breathe, breathe..." He whispered in my ear, nuzzling it gently. "Let it out..."
Snot smeared on his Tungstian-clad chest as I pressed my muzzle against him.
"I... I-I... I..."
"Shhh..." He gently pet the back of my head and pressed me against his chest as I sat there, bawling my eyes out before him like a foal that had their toy taken away.
"I-it's not fair..." I spoke between hyperventilated sobs. "Why is... Why is this happening to me? Why... me...?"
Petiole didn't answer. He didn't move. Just stood there as I broke down against his chest, leaning further into it.
Then, after a long moment, his LEDs flashed red. He let go and backed up. I reached my hooves out for him to stay, desperate for his affection... I needed him...
"Why you?" He asked. "Why. You?" He started to sound irritated with me... "Do not give me that self pity, entitlement crap. You're nobody special to the wasteland, Charger. Only another victim to its insatiable greed. You think you're the only one suffering? Newsflash... You're not. Everyone is going through their own shit."
I reached out a hoof, but he knocked it away with his, before continuing.
"I spent over 200 years in both physical and emotional trauma, all while trying to find a cure to save my wife. I blew her up less than a week ago. You don't hear me complaining about it. And you ask 'why me?' You don't get to ask that. If you think the wasteland is going to make an exception for you and treat you well, then you have another thing coming. Because that's life. And life is a sadistic. Fickle. Bitch. So... Why YOU? Why NOT you?" He raised his voice to a level I didn't think he could manage without coughing, and I could hear him struggling with himself to keep talking. "You aren't special or important to the wasteland. You have to suffer to belong, just like everyone else. If you can't handle that, then do us all a favor, spare us the drama, and drop dead. Again."
"Peti-" I scooted closer, still crying, but he pushed me back. I lied there on my back, looking up at the sky as he went on.
"No. You're the leader of this little group. I don't know what has you like this, but it's time you get your head back in the game and keep going." He turned and started to walk to the warehouse, muttering to himself. "Why you..."
I was back from the dead.
I didn't want to be. I wanted to be stuck in the battery with the others...
But fate... Fate had others plans... It wasn't ready to take me...
If I wasn't allowed to die, then that meant I had something I needed to do.
My life was a game; some colossal joke to a higher being. We were all just pieces of a board game to something else. We either played the game, or we got off the board.
My piece was stubborn...
My resurrection told me there was more that needed to be done. That my time wasn't over yet.
I sat up and started slipping back into my armor. It was severely damaged and shredded in some areas, but I'd just have to deal with that later.
I slipped my Stable 32 security helmet over my head as I stared out at the warehouse, after wiping my tears away.
I had something to do... And I wasn't going to give up until I did what I was meant to.
I was going to fix this side of the wasteland.
Tuner called me one of the cornerstones. It was time I lived up to the title.
There was one pony that had caused more than enough pain around these parts. I was going to start with them...
I adjusted the gun's arm a bit to find it was still operational. I loaded in a fresh mag, then slid the rifle over to my side, before making my way to the warehouse, taking a deep, shaky breath.
My head was back in the game...
And I was going after Bristle...
> Channel 001.8; Hollow
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Someone needs helping, we help 'em; someone needs hurting, we hurt 'em. It's not hard.


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


For hours, my group and I walked in silence down the abandoned stretch of road and dead forests. Thunderwing and Destrier stayed a safe distance away from me, all while watching me closely.
I seemed to have kept my leadership role, however. I guess I hadn't really done anything to lose it from my team.
I hadn't told anyone about where I had gone when I died. Tuner had been quiet ever since I came back to the real world, as well.
I also hadn't told them about my plans for Bristle, or that I was a unicorn. Not yet, anyways. But now that I was able to put the pieces together, I think Petiole knew... He knew something about me, and he wasn't sharing...
I ran my hoof over where my horn was, but all I felt was flesh and skull. No lump... No scarring that I could feel... Yet, when I touched that spot, I felt a discomforting pressure...
I caught Petiole glancing over at me occasionally, but I didn't provoke him. I didn't want to talk to anyone. More so, Petiole...
I just wanted to be left with my thoughts... I needed to process this...
His words were harsh, back at the warehouse. And his method of motivation to keep going was unheard of, to say in the least. But it worked. Kind of...
What really got me back up and moving was the little knowledge I had about my missing horn, and the death of my mother. About who killed her.
I didn't know anything about either of my parents. I didn't know if my father was a unicorn, or my mother, or both... The mind fuck was sending my head spinning... Damn headaches didn't help much with that...
Before we were back on the road, we had looked through the crates at the warehouse that weren't completely destroyed in the battle I missed with the hellhounds. Unfortunately, during that battle, the majority of the crates, along with its contents, were destroyed. It certainly wasn't enough to make the profit I was looking for. Oh well...
To the victor, go the spoils...
The isolated warehouse turned out to be a storage unit for armaments, back in the war with the zebras. Pistols, rifles, shotguns, launchers... Though, the majority of those were all destroyed. There was a decent stockpile of ammunition and grenades, too!
We had all stocked up on as much ammo for our guns as we could, as, thankfully, one of the few crates that made it was stocked up with munitions.
As Petiole was patching up my armor with some of the barding that was left here for over 2 generations, I grabbed a pistol for Para, ready to give it to him. But then I remembered how he saw guns as a sign of weakness.
Then I remembered how he was carrying that weird blaster around with him. The one he refused to use...
Ugh... Para...
I gave the 9 millimeter to Fluky instead, along with a few boxes of ammo to go with it. She nodded to me before putting the holster to the gun on her shoulder, and the ammo in one of her bags. The firework launcher remained over her other shoulder, however.
Para had a thing for chucking rocks at ponies whenever they started to swear... There was a way I could use that to my advantage...
I grabbed a belt of pineapple grenades and held them out to him.
When he turned to look at them, he grinned.
"Ooo! Pineapples! Sweet!"
In an instant, he grabbed them, ripped one off the belt, and bit down. His eyes went from pleased to disgusted as he spat it back out.
"Ah, gross! These pineapples are rotten! They taste like oil!" He tossed the belt down on the floor, causing the entire group, myself excluded, to recoil. Even Petiole jumped a little bit.
Personally, I didn't care. I welcomed death with open arms.
"Para." I stepped forward, looking down at the grenades coolly before having my eyes meet his. "These aren't pineapples. Think of them as... explosive rocks. Okay?"
"Explosive cocks?" He frowned down at them as some of the group burst into laughter. "These aren't chickens!"
Goddess damn it, Para... I really wasn't in the mood...
"Okay, look..." I lifted the belt of grenades up to eye level. "I really want your help here. Whenever I tell you to, I want you to pull the pin off one of these, and throw the bigger part wherever I want it. Alright? DON'T. THROW. THE. PIN." Seriously, please don't throw the pin!
"Well, alright." He smiled softly, taking the belt. "But they're rotten pineapples. Not explosive cocks."
"Explosive rotten pineapples, then. Fine. Whatever." I deadpanned. I swear, my brain cells were killing themselves... Wish I had the nerve to do it to myself...


(((((((◉)))))))


There wasn't a whole lot of stuff out here, several hours in. Even sticking to the road, there wasn't much to see. Just a lot of dead forest, cracked asphalt, and grey skies.
We had come across a pre-war resting station about an hour back, but there was nothing worth taking. Just litter, and a few radroaches.
I took one of the radroaches, though. As usual, I got a few disgusted looks from the others.
Gross to them. Dinner to me.
The smog and humidity was going down a lot more, the further we ventured south. The smell was still there, but it too, was getting more faint.
The dents in my armor were fixed, and the shredded areas were patched up. Petiole had a talent for repairing barding, evidently.
He had also grabbed some of the guns that weren't damaged back at the warehouse, and stuffed them all in one of his many saddle bags, as they were all of the smaller variety.
Glancing over to my left, I witnessed Para walking with that small dance in his movement. It got me wondering if he even had a hint of what the battery was, or about the souls trapped within. Happy knew, but then again, he was stuck in there with the rest of them. Para only existed because Happy was imprisoned in the battery.
Para was an ignorant pony. Ignorant and potentially crazy. I was starting to believe more and more that he hadn't the slightest clue what the battery really was, apart from a power source for his radio.
As we made our way to Portlandia, the wasteland seemed to try and throw the smaller things at us. Radroaches, radhogs, bloatsprites, and smaller radscorpions. Nothing that really proved to be a challenge.
But still, it kept us alert.
I just hoped there weren't any massive beetles out here, like the one back in 32. I didn't need anymore crippled limbs. I didn't need a lot of things...
What I really needed, however... was a shower. A nice, hot shower to wash this black crap off my body. According to Thunderwing, it was my blood. Yet I didn't see or feel any wounds on me. I felt pain, yes. But no wounds. No blood leaving the body. Just... pain.
It wasn't agonizing. It wasn't crippling me. But I was sore on the inside, beyond my ribcage. At first, I figured it was because my ribs had cracked just a few hours ago, but as time went on, I was being convinced it was something else. Probably an organ or something. Honestly, I didn't care. I had an objective. Kill Bristle. But if I died before I could do that, then so be it. I just didn't care anymore.
"Hey." Destrier walked alongside me, looking down at me, therefore snapping me out of my deep, dangerous thoughts.
"Surprised to see you this close to me." I replied quietly, before pointing at the black stains splattered on my face. "You know... considering..."
"Thunderwing's fears, not mine."
"Well, you seemed pretty okay with keeping a gun on me for the better part of today."
"Just following orders. Nothing personal. Boss doesn't want me talking to you just yet. Told her to fuck off."
I raised a brow and looked behind me to see Thunderwing glaring at me and Destrier, keeping her battle saddle on me. I turned back to the suit of power armor that walked with me.
"So why are you talking to me, then?"
"Checking how you're doing."
"Go bother someone else, Destrier." I frowned, looking ahead. "Just leave me alone..."
"You're upset." There he went again... "Died... Body crushed. But you're here. Not many get second chances."
"Yeah, you see..." I paused, glaring up at him. "That's just it. Not many get second chances. So what makes me so special?" I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes, looking away again. "I'm upset cause I'm still breathing. So unless you wanna drive a 50 caliber bullet through my brain, then leave me the fuck alone."
Destrier walked with me in silence for a bit longer, before going back to Thunderwing.
Good riddance...
"Hey, there's a downed sky wagon up ahead." Tezu said aloud.
"Wuh good isf a shky wagin iff we only got onf fair uh wingf?" Thunder said behind the bit on her battle saddle. She wasn't lowering her guard for even a second... "I sure as hell ain't flyin' it. Nah unless sumonf elf kees uh gunf on him."
"We shouldn't be flying, period." I stated, turning around and looking at her with dead, careless eyes. She stopped a good distance away, keeping her guns on me. "If you're gonna shoot me, then Goddess fu-" Pebble. "Dam-" Another pebble. "GET IT OVER WITH!" I shouted, now infuriated. I turned to Para after with a glare, who shook his head at me as he pointed at Fluky and mouthed the word 'no.'
"Done deal." She muttered, but Destrier stepped in the way this time. Her eyes got wide, and spat the bit out. "Not you too!"
"Not dangerous."
"But he will be when he turns! I've seen it before, and you have too!"
"If you're not going to kill me, can we please get back on topic?" I called out with a deadpan. "You're setting off my migraine with your expository bickering, and it's really starting to piss me off."
Everyone stared at me in silence for the longest time...
And then I got a pebble to my visor.
Sigh...
"What I was trying to say earlier, was that flying is a really bad idea around these parts, because if the Enclave doesn't see us first, the Steel Rangers will. Please tell me you've thought of that."
"Obviously." Thunderwing rolled her eyes.
"But if we fly low enough-" Destrier started before I interrupted.
"That won't change shit."
Pebble.
"Para, I swear..." I groaned in frustration and shook my head hard. Okay, ow... migraine... "Look, air travel around this area is just bad news, all around. No matter how low or high you fly, it's just gonna end with us getting shot down."
Blaze stepped forward. "Well, we could just... pull it on the ground."
Everyone, myself included, looked at him.
"Good point." I replied with a faint, yet pained smile.


(((((((◉)))))))


A few repairs were needed on the wagon, but I still had the tool kit that I got from Stable 32, so as I got to work on the repairs on one of the wheels that was slipping off its axis, Destrier, Blaze, and Tezu got to work on corpse removal. There were a few skeletons resting inside, along with the skeleton of a foal, resting in the arms of one of the adults...
All but one skeleton had a bullet driven through their skull, but they had a cracked rib, which looked like it would have punctured a lung. But I was no expert.
There was nothing of any value in here. Whatever there was, it was long gone.
"Petiole." I called out, glancing over as I got down at the wheel. He looked over as his LED flashed blue, and I nodded my head to the wagon. "Help me with this. Need an extra pair of hooves."
He nodded back and calmly stepped forward. "What do you need?" His LED went green again.
"Gonna get under the wagon. Make sure it doesn't fall on me, and hand me any tools I request." I paused and looked him over as I rolled onto my back, sliding the tools his way shortly after. "Can you do that?"
He gave another quick nod.
"Good." And with that, I shimmied under the wagon, taking a long look at the axis. There was a bit of damage, but nothing I couldn't fix. The bigger problem was the rust that built up over the years...
"Drill."
An electric drill slid to my side after a few seconds, and I bit down on the grip, bringing it to the axis that just barely held on to the wheel. I tested the trigger a few times to hear it whir, then got to work.
"So!" I called out in a muffled tone as the drill went on, screwing in the bolts that were loose. However, I could barely hear myself talk, let alone say anything with my tongue pressed against the trigger. So I waited until the first two bolts were screwed in tight, before letting go of the instrument and setting it aside.
"When you tied me down to that table, back at the stable, and I passed out, what else did you end up doing to me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you said you cut my head open and put that implant in my brain. It got me wondering... is there anything else that happened that I don't know about?"
"Oh. Well, I did a medical analysis'. A check up, if you will. Wanted to see how healthy the pony was that I was working with."
"What kind of check ups...?" I asked, glancing down at his hooves as he stood before me.
"If you had any heart issues, lung diseases, how your prostate was. Stuff like that."
"My pros-" I blurted, sitting up immediately. Or... was going to, until I smacked my head against the underside of the wagon. "My prostate!?" I shouted again, rubbing my forehead.
"Don't worry. You're healthy in that department. Good, steady heart as well... for now. With how much hard liquor you've been drinking, I'm surprised it's still kicking as good as it has been. Same can be said for your kidneys. Your lungs, however... that's a different story. Probably from all the smoking you've been doing."
"You shoved your hoof up my ass..."
Petiole sighed. "First off, it wasn't my hoof. Second off, I was performing a medical procedure. Don't take this to a sexual place, Charger."
"Was it your dick?" I cocked an eyebrow.
As a response, I received a surprisingly hard kick to my rear, organic hoof. "OW! What the hell!?"
"I warned you not to take it to a sexual place. This is what happens when you don't listen."
Well, fuck! That was gonna bruise! My armor hardly deflected that!
I sighed and shook my head as I looked up at the axis. "Destrier, can you lift the wagon on my side?"
"On it." He called out.
"Petiole, keep the wheel straight with the rest of the wagon until I get it secured."
Shortly after, the wagon, along with the wheel lifted up a little. I grabbed the drill and got back to work.
About five minutes had passed, and the job was complete. The axis was a bit dented and extremely rusted underneath, but there wasn't much I could do about that. All we could do was hope it didn't collapse on us during our travel.
We all stood before it, looking at the two braces that connected to the front of whoever was going to pull it.
"Should we draw straws...?" Blaze asked quietly.
"No." I shook my head. "I'll take one of the spots." With that, I started forward and connected myself to the left harness. 
"I nominate Thunderwing for the right." Destrier stated, and she swung around to him, glaring.
"Hell no! Not with him!" She pointed a hoof at me, to which I stared flatly at her as my ears folded back.
"You two need to get your shit resolved." He snapped. "Charger is acting more responsible than you."
"Charger is a diseased parasite!"
"Thanks." I deadpanned. "Can we get going now? Or better yet, if you think that of me, then why don't you all just leave?  You're not obligated to stick around." I turned to the others, but they were all quiet, looking away from me. "Well? What'll it be? I'm a diseased parasite, right? Celestia forbid any of you get sick because of me. Better stay away."
"No offense, boss..." Tezu muttered. "But I'd like to stick with Charger. He's not what you make him out to be."
"With Tezu on this one." Destrier filled in.
Thunder sighed and flailed her forehooves a bit. "Alright, alright... Fine." She started forward, stopped at the right harness, looking me over before hesitantly holding out a hoof. "I'll... make nice... I guess... So long as you don't try eating me."
"No promises." I said with a grin. Her hoof recoiled as she stared at me, clearly disturbed. I laughed softly and rolled my eyes as I reached out a hoof. "I'll forget you called me a parasite, but only if you shake my hoof, so that we can move on from this and work together. Alright? We're a team, and I don't wanna lose that."
She stared down at my hoof for the longest time before slowly reaching her hoof out and meeting my eyes with hers. "... Alright..."
Our hooves touched, wrapped around each other, and we gently shook.
"Deal."
I looked back as everyone got in the wagon. "Hey, Petiole!"
"What?"
"Next time you shove things up my ass..." Pebble. Ugh... "Let me be awake for it. I want to feel you inside me." I gave him a wink and a grin, and he shook his head, backing up a bit as his LED went blue.
"Char-" He burst into a violent fit of coughing as he got down on his stomach, wheezing.
Tezu and Blaze both burst into laughter at his response. I couldn't help but laugh a little, too.
He had calmed down a short while after and continued. "Charger... why?"


(((((((◉)))))))


By the time the land was shrouded by night, we had finally reached the outskirts of Vanhoover. We still had a bit of ground to cover before we reached Portlandia, but we also got to where we were a lot faster than we would if we were all walking.
The team in the back kept an eye out for anything hostile, and whenever something would try coming at us, Tezu dealt with it. It was nothing but critters of the wasteland out here, so all he had to really do was blow small torrents of dragon fire at them. It was surprisingly timid, after everything I went through so far.
Thunderwing and I both shared the same level of exhaustion once we stopped on the side of the road, next to a rusted sign that read 'Welcome to Vanhoover.'
The air here was more breathable, though there was still the faint scent of burning forest. The moon was still red too, which meant we weren't far away enough yet. But at least there wasn't a sickening heat.
Thunderwing looked over at me, smiled faintly, then took herself out of the harness that held her to the wagon, before walking to the treeline along the right shoulder and gathering some wood for a campfire.
I stepped out of the left harness and stretched my limbs. My back was aching from the long haul, but I wasn't going to really complain.
I started for the treeline that Thunderwing went off to and started gathering some branches as well.
She glanced up at me for a brief second, but said nothing before returning to her task.
I grabbed a branch, stomped it into two smaller pieces, then finally looked back at her. "Still scared?"
She kept her eyes on the ground, gathering sticks. "Don't see why it matters."
I scoffed and shook my head, before breaking another branch. "I'm not a danger to you."
"Sure hope not." She replied quickly. "Cause I know how to kill your kind. And if you try anything, I won't hesitate a moment before burning you alive."
I raised a brow with a faint smirk. "So... I can die from fire, huh?"
"That and megaspell weaponry. Laser and plasma weapons too, though that takes a bit more effort. Those are all the methods I know of. There might be more, but I've yet to find them. But don't go thinking I don't have the resources to end you. Cause I do."
"Well, as much as I want to die, I don't think it'll be necessary to kill me, cause as far as I'm concerned, we're still friends. I'm still the Charger you know."
She stopped and stared into my eyes for a few long, quiet seconds, before nodding and whispering. "Alright... I'll hold you to that..."
"Just like that?" I raised a brow.
"I see it in your eyes... Charger." She looked back up at me with a faint smirk, before bunching up the wood she gathered and heading back to the wagon. "See ya soon. We'll discuss our next plan of approach then."


(((((((◉)))))))


After I had gathered enough firewood to help last the night, I made my way back. Thunderwing had already prepared the campfire. As I approached, she signaled Tezu to light it.
I dropped the branches down beside where the fire was, then found a place to sit.
As I removed my helmet and set it down on the ground before me, Thunderwing sat against a small log she had rolled up, leaned her back against it, and crossed her hind legs, stretching them out. She let out a sigh of relief and began pulling her pack of cigs out.
She opened the pack, then froze upon looking inside. She clenched her teeth, crumpled the pack into a ball, and tossed it into the fire.
"Damn it..." She muttered.
Fluky sat beside me frowning, and shortly after, a pebble struck the pegasus on the head. Without moving a muscle, she took a deep breath, as if trying to hold her frustration with Para in.
"He'll grow on you after a while." I said with a small smile, to which she looked over, giving me a quick nod and a fake laugh.
Para sat down beside me and moved his head down to my groinal region.
Some of the party laughed or stared at us awkwardly as I quickly put a hoof atop Para's head. I could feel my cheeks turning red. "H-hey now. What are you doing?" I smiled nervously.
"Taking your outfit off."
"W-with your teeth...?"
"Mhm!"
And with that, I felt the zipper travel up my stomach, chest, and stop at my neck before the collar split. I could feel his breath on my coat along the way, which certainly did not help with preventing arousal!
Shortly after, he stood up, moved behind me, and began removing my barding for me.
"You... do know I can do this myself, right?" I asked, peeking over my shoulder.
"Oh, I know." He smiled and nuzzled my ma- wait, did he just smell my mane? "But now you get to relax. Ol' Para will take care of you."
... Okay, maybe it was just me, but... the way he said that... I could have sworn his voice just changed a little...
I quickly looked over at the radio to find that the battery was still glowing. Phew!
Still... there was no music playing. There hadn't been any music playing since I left the battery. What happened?
One arm came out of one sleeve as he lifted my hoof up off the ground, another arm came out of the other, and as Para got to work on my lower half, I couldn't help but feel even more embarrassed that I had an audience. I rubbed my arm with my forehoof as I smiled nervously, feeling myself blushing even harder.
Tezu and Blaze were enjoying themselves at my awkwardness... They were laughing!
"Stand, please." Para said softly, to which I obeyed.
A few seconds later, all my armor was off, and I was left exposed. He removed my helmet and set it down beside me.
Generally, taking my armor off in the middle of the wasteland was a horrible idea. But then again, I didn't care anymore.
I sat back down on my haunches, and before too long, the tips of Para's forehooves were pressing into parts of my back I didn't even know had so much tension built into them... Agh, fuck...
My mouth hung open, and my tongue rolled out as he began his deep back massage. Okay, I knew he was good with his hooves when playing card games, but... to actually feel what they could do... Heh, wow!
I guess it was the small things that made life worth living. Huh...
Nng...
"You should really take better care of yourself, Charmer."
I laughed softly to myself and closed my eyes. "Y-yeah... I know..." I arched my back a bit to his touch, smiling. "Just... nng... just keep doing that..."
"Okay..." I opened my eyes to see Thunderwing shaking her head as she laughed; her eyes closed tight. "Let's discuss our plan before you start enjoying that too much."
Destrier was staring in ominous silence, Riot was ignoring what was happening, Blaze and Tezu were having trouble containing their laughter, and Petiole just stood beside me, looking down at the fire between my group and Thunder's, with green LEDs.
And there I was, discovering how great back massages were by a delusional serial killer that was most likely smiling right now.
Fuck... What else could he do with his hooves?
Maybe I could find out tonight...
Oh, I was getting excited just at the idea...
"Charger, focus." Thunder said aloud as she glanced down at my groinal region.
"S-sorry, it just has a mind of its own..." I grinned sheepishly before putting my helmet over that specific area... "Hey, my helmet's back on my head!" I laughed, to which Blaze and Tezu cracked up. Everyone else just stared at me flatly.
"I don't get it." Fluky replied, looking down at the helmet, then up at me.
Wait, OHFUCKITOTALLYFORGOTSHEWASTHERE!
Well... that quickly made my arousal diminish. Still, I kept my helmet between my legs and cleared my throat. Para still went at it with my back, finding new, tense knots and tending to them.
Nnyahhhhaha, whoa... I really needed to learn how he was doing that... These didn't even feel like any hooves I thought could exist on a pony.
"Charger!" Thunderwing snapped, and with that, I was swept back into reality.
"Heh, yeah?" I replied, smiling at her from across the fire.
"Plans." Her ears folded back with annoyance.
"Right..." I nodded. "Right... so... nng... Can anyone tell me what... ahh..."
"Para, stop teasing Charger!" Thunder snapped, glaring at both of us. "Do that later!"
Suddenly, I felt those amazing hooves of his leave my back. No... I wanted more. Needed it! Gah, Thunder! Why would you do that!?
I pouted and slouched my shoulders.
"So, what was it you were going to say, Charger?"
"What is, uh..." I shook my head, trying to get back on topic. "What is Vanhoover like? How do we get across? There'd be a bridge, right?"
"Bridges." She corrected. "Plural. But using them would be a death sentence."
I raised a brow, to which Destrier started.
"Raiders control the bridges. Fortified them."
"Great..." I muttered as my ears folded back with a flat look. "Well, what if we don't use the bridges then? What if we just cut across the water? Make a raft or something?"
Destrier shook his head. "We'd get spotted, and without any cover, we'd make perfect target practice for snipers."
I looked up at the red moon for a second, before returning to him. It was a lighter shade than it was, last time I saw it.
"What if we go under the cover of night?"
"Still risky." Destrier stated. "They have patrol boats out during night. Not to mention spotlights along the bridges. They can go out pretty far."
I sighed and shook my head as I looked down. "This is starting to sound more impossible by the second..."
"Does anyone else think that this is a bad idea?" Petiole asked.
I was starting to think he was right. Going through all this trouble just to go somewhere that no one else has survived in? What was I thinking...?
"It's possible." Thunderwing said with an assertive tone. "And I do have a good feeling about this. We just need to plan everything carefully."
"Is there a way we can get around their turf?" I asked.
"Yeah... But it requires going through Mirelurk territory."
"Yikes..."
"Yep..."
If the stories were true, then Mirelurks were a bit harder to kill, due to their armored shells... I didn't want to deal with that.
"There's a risk in every little action here." Thunderwing continued. "It's up to us to figure out which option is the safest. In my opinion, I'd go with building a raft and cutting across the river under the cover of night. Worse comes to worse, we swim underwater and get a little radiation poisoning. If it means avoiding sniper fire, then so be it."
"Some of us can't swim..." Destrier pointed out as he looked at Petiole. "We'd just sink."
"I have built in oxygen tanks." Petiole stated in a calm manner. "I'd be fine."
Destrier looked back at his leader. "Well, I can't swim... And I don't have oxygen tanks."
Petiole and Destrier started to discuss their plans with each other, but I focused more on Thunderwing.
She seemed to be focused on me, too.
I stood up, nodded her over to the wagon, and started to walk in the same direction. She began to follow.
I sat at one of the wheels, and she stopped a few feet in front of me.
"Thunder..." I started. "Do you... do you really think what we're doing is such a good idea? Just seems like we're going through all this trouble to get into more trouble."
"Hey, this was your idea. My team will pull through. We've gone through worse. Believe me. But if it's a question of your own team's safety..."
"I believe they'll pull through. I just... I don't want to make any mistakes."
"That's inevitable." She went to reach for her saddlebags until she realized something. "Damn it..."
"No cigs?" I raised a brow.
She nodded and muttered. "Yep..."
"I'll give you one when we get back to the others."
She gave me another short nod and smiled faintly. "Thanks..."
"So... Why is it inevitable?"
"Because leaders make mistakes. It's how we learn." She turned around, looking at our group around the campfire. "Assuming you still want to do this, come tomorrow, I think we should go with the raft approach. Not that it's saying much, but it seems like the safest bet. Raiders, I can handle. Mirelurks... not so much..."
"Not that it's saying much..." I reiterated with a faint smile. She looked back with her own smile. "I do want to do this... We need the caps and the weapon that resides there for what I have planned next..."
"What you have planned next?" She raised a brow, facing me completely.
"I'm going after Bristle."
She gave me a look of uncertainty before replying. "Are you sure that's a good idea...?"
"Are you sure this whole Portlandia thing is?"
She chuckled and smiled. "Alright... but maybe we should bring the NCR in on that..."
"No." I said quickly, standing up. "I don't want any involvement with them..."
She nodded slowly. "Very well..."
With that, the two of us made our way back and ran our plan through with the rest of the team. I gave Thunderwing the cigarette she so desperately wanted, and after our plan was drawn out and revealed to the others, the majority of us had gone to sleep.
I couldn't, though... My mind was all over the place with Bristle. Standing there behind Snow Star with a gun to her head... Standing over her, raping her... Making me do horrible things to the other unicorns there... The children I've...
"Stop it!" I hissed behind clenched teeth, sitting up quickly. Thunderwing, who was on watch duty, gave me a weird look. I shook my head and waved a hoof in her general direction. "Not you..."
"Intrusive thoughts?" She looked me over coolly, and I nodded. "Yeah, those are always fun to deal with."
I shuddered as I closed my eyes, hanging my head down. I couldn't cry. I wanted to, but... I had to be strong. I had to be strong for Para, Fluky, and Petiole. For Thunderwing's team. For myself.
Tears fought to break free, but I did what I could to keep them down. I had to swallow them. I was a monster. And monsters didn't deserve to cry.
Monsters didn't deserve sympathy... I was the bad guy. It was the role I had been given in this overly complicated game that Tuner spoke of. Life was just a game, and the wasteland was the one that moved all the pieces, bending them at its will.
We were all just pieces on a board game...
Most of us were fighting to stay on it. But me?
I wanted to get thrown off that board. Permanently.
"Hey..." Thunder said softly, bringing me out of my dark, dangerous thoughts, and into reality. She trotted around the campfire and sat beside me, refusing to lose sight of me.
"What?" I asked in a careless tone.
She was silent for a moment, but then I felt a wing wrap around me from behind. I looked over to see her smiling faintly.
"I know it doesn't feel like it, Charger..." She whispered, moving a little closer. Our muzzles almost touched. "But the worst part is over."
I looked on with dead eyes, before replying; my brows knitting with each other. "Like you would know..." I looked away at that moment, back at the fire. "The worst part is over when I'm dead. So either do me a favor and kill me, or fuck off."
Her wing remained sprawled out across my back; her pinions wrapped around my shoulder.
I kept my eyes on the fire, glaring now. "Did I fucking stutter?"
"Nope." I saw her smirk in the corner of my eye, then remove her wing, only to get up and get behind me. I didn't bother looking.
A few seconds after she disappeared, I felt her hooves press against my back, moving around in circular motions slowly.
"Is that good...?" She whispered in my ear. I closed my eyes, sighing softly to myself.
For a few seconds, I sat there with my head down... It didn't take long before I turned around to see her smiling at me faintly, in hopes I was enjoying it. It wasn't nearly as good as how Para did it, but it was decent.
"What the fuck are you doing?"
She paused, looking confused before taking her hooves off me. "What...?"
"I asked what the fuck you're doing. Why are you trying to make me feel better? I don't deserve to feel better." Hot tears burned away at my eyes as I looked into hers. "So why are you trying to... to make me..." I shook my head hard and wiped my eyes. "Fuck... I gotta..." I started to get up and run for the wagon, away from the light. Into the dark.
I sat against the wheel I was at previously, covering my eyes as tears broke free. I couldn't keep it in... I was pathetic. I wasn't the victim... I was the bad guy. I didn't earn these tears! I had no right!
I couldn't even keep myself from breaking down...
Snot and tears washed down my face as I sat there, bawling like a foal. The crying didn't seem to want to stop, and I couldn't contain it anymore. The dam had broke.
I was just... I was so tired of everything... I was tired of people trying to make me feel better. I was tired of myself. I was tired of ponies forgiving me. I did not deserve forgiveness! I was a monster! Who beat, tortured and killed fillies and colts in front of their wailing parents, whom begged me to stop. They offered anything. Food rations, sex, favors, loyalty...
But back in that bunker... it was them or me. And I chose me.
If a unicorn couldn't give me the information I was looking for, then I went after their kids. It was the only way I knew how to get through to Bristle and get the rangers to trust me again. Sometimes, the adults weren't enough. I needed to prove my 'loyalty.'
And so I did...
And I was a monster for it.
A gentle hoof rested on my shoulder, and I peeked behind my forehooves to see Thunderwing standing before me, looking at me behind pitiful eyes.
I shuddered and closed my eyes again, shielding them with my hooves as I sat there.
Her hoof began rubbing my shoulder gently. Then, before I knew it, both hooves wrapped around me, meeting at my back. Her chest pressed against mine, and I felt her head over my shoulder. I quickly removed my hooves from my eyes and hugged her back tightly.
She didn't say anything, nor did I.
I only cried.
For the longest time, that was all that happened. It felt like a never ending stream of tears washing down my face, getting on both our coats. I sniffled continuously to try and keep the snot from rubbing off on her, though I was failing. Occasionally, I had to wipe my muzzle with a hoof in order to try and keep that from happening.
I was already covered in black blood, so I was already filthy. I'd take a shower or a bath when I found somewhere to do so. If it rained, I'd have even bathed in a puddle on the street. Would probably get a bit of radiation from it, but I didn't care anymore...
After a long while, my tears were starting to subside ever so gradually. My sniffles and sobs were dying down a little, and I felt better on the inside. I still felt like the bad guy... I was the bad guy. But I felt like the emotions I had worked so hard to bottle up were released... and no one got hurt when it happened. So that was a plus.
I noticed that Destrier was on guard duty in the distance. Thunderwing must have woken him up to stay on watch while she went to check on me.
"Are you feeling better...?" She asked softly, still holding me close.
"Mhm..." I replied in a scratchy tone as I nodded slowly. "T-thank you, Thunder... I'm sorry I... sorry I snapped at you..."
"Hey, no frets." Her muzzle pressed against my neck, and I closed my red eyes, smiling faintly. "So how about that back massage, hmm...?"
"Is that still an option? Cause honestly, it did feel kinda good..." I admitted with a half smile, looking back at her.
She giggled and looked me in the eyes, holding my hoof in both of hers. "Come on, Charger. After everything that happened today, I think you could use it." She stood up, still holding my hoof with one of hers, and together, we made our way back to the camp.


(((((((◉)))))))


The following morning, I awoke to a light shining through my eyelids. Drool dripped from my open mouth. The air was still mildly warm, but it wasn't snowing ash here, like it was back north. Still kinda smelled of burning forest, though. Just a little bit.
We were on the outskirts of Vanhoover, and the smell from Saddle still reached us.
I cracked my eyes open to a morning fog. A real morning fog. Not that smoke crap.
It still looked a bit sickly, but it wasn't as bad as it was, prior to us reaching here. The sun's light felt trapped in that fog, cause opening my eyes had a blinding effect. Closing my eyes after that didn't help much.
I smacked my lips and stood up, stretching. That foul taste hit my tongue from when I got killed by that hellhound, and I narrowed my eyes and spat.
Spat black gunk.
Great...
Only two people were awake in the camp; Petiole and I.
He had been looking at me the entire time. At least, from the moment I woke up.
His LED was green, so I guess that meant he was passive.
I nodded to him, then stumbled over to my armor to reach into my pouch and pull out a cig. I stuck one in my mouth, grabbed my zippo, and began to light up.
"Do you really need to smoke?"
I looked back at him as my rear hoof softly crackled with electricity, and I smiled behind my cigarette as I raised my tail to him, exposing myself. "Eat me."
He shook his head slowly, and I chuckled before lighting the end and taking a nice, long pull.
Aaaaand exhale.
I began digging through my saddle bags again, as my stomach demanded nourishment through the growls and rumblings I was both feeling and hearing.
Let's see.... breakfast, breakfast... Ah, Sugar Apple Bombs!
I sat on my haunches, opened the box, and began to dig into that sweet, sugary apple goodness!
Ciggies and Apple Bombs! Part of a nutritious, radioactive, cancerous breakfast!
My pipbuck made sure to let me know with the soft clicking of the geigercounter as I ate. Oddly enough, I didn't hear that go off that much, ever since we left Stable 32. It got me wondering if the west coast didn't get hit as hard as the rest of Equestria, when the bombs fell. Granted, this place got hit hard. But radiation went away after a long while. Maybe the majority of it washed away after 200 some years.
At least, over here. I wasn't entirely sure about the rest of Equestria.
Destrier was the first to wake up in Thunderwing's group. Shortly after, he nudged his leader awake.
A few minutes later, everyone had been awoken and given about a fifteen minute breakfast break, before we were back on the move. My best guess for the rush was one of the many rules Firebright had given me time and time again, during my training with the Steel Rangers.
Never stay in one place for too long. Apparently, it was asking for trouble.


(((((((◉)))))))


Thunderwing and I were back to pulling the wagon full of ponies and one crippled dragon.
Ahead of us, in the horizon, was a thick blanket of cloud that shrouded the land in darkness. There was a possibility it was over the Portlandia area, but I didn't really have much to go on, based off what I was seeing. We couldn't see the river from where we were, so we still had a ways to go.
This certainly looked like Enclave work, based off what I saw in Petiole's memory, when the sky and sun was sealed off from the surface dwellers.
They just seemed too... organized for 'natural' weather. Assuming there was anything natural about weather controlling itself...
If my theory was correct - if those clouds were over our destination - then it looked like we were in for something heavy.
Thunder rumbled in the distance, and lightning flashed, but the clouds seemed to be stuck in place, which only helped confirm that these were Enclave clouds.
A heavy rain was a big possibility, if we were going under the clouds.
The rest of the sky was surprisingly clear, however. There was a faint blue upon looking up, which meant that we were almost completely out of the fog. The smell from Saddle was almost non-existent, too!
Finally, something else to breathe!
Hours crawled by before we came in on the outskirts of a town. I didn't see any sign of danger. Or life. It was a ghost town.
Nothing was appearing on the E.F.S. either, apart from the parties' blips. I guess now was as good a time as any to start counting my blessings.
As we walked through the dead streets that started to cut through a much smaller city than Saddle, I caught Thunderwing taking small glances in my direction. Three blocks in, I turned to her.
"Still don't trust me?"
She tensed up a little before regarding me. Her mouth opened to say something, but nothing came out for a short while. "It has nothing to do with the... virus, or whatever... But... I'm still questioning your idea on going after Bristle."
"He deserves to die, and I deserve answers."
"Oh, I want him dead too. Believe me. But... how are you going to even find the bunker? I thought you didn't know where it was."
"I don't..." I replied, hanging my head down. "But I'll keep searching until I do."
"What's this about the bunker?" Petiole asked softly.
I turned around to see his forearms resting on the front railing of the wagon as he looked down at Thunderwing and I.
"Once we're done with the apartment heist and done selling whatever we get there, if you're in on it, we're going to try and find the bunker that I came from. I'm putting an end to his tyranny."
I caught Thunderwing anxiously biting her lip.
"Well... most of us, anyways." I continued, looking ahead once more. "No one is obligated to come with, but I need to know what they did to me... and my mother..." Things were silent among the group for too long, and the silence was becoming too much. I turned back to Petiole, and for a while, he looked down at me with that ominous silence. His LEDs were green, so he wasn't thinking anything bad. But I couldn't figure out what it was he was doing, either...
"This is a bad idea, Charger." He replied finally. "But seeing as my life is tied to yours, I'm with you every step of the way. But before you act on this, I really have to ask you to reconsider doing that."
The more time went on, the more I realized this was a bad idea. Going into Steel Ranger territory with a potential party of 8, not including myself, to see the big guy himself. Whatever weapons, armor, and munitions we get wouldn't be enough to fight through the rangers. Not all of them, anyways. This was starting to sound like a terrible idea.
But it was all I had...
I didn't want the NCR or any other faction helping me with this... This was my problem, anyways. No one else's. Especially not anyone's that was just going to try and get the battery off me later.
But if it wasn't any one else's problem, then it wasn't for the group that I was traveling with, either. I had to tackle this. Alone.
I nodded to Petiole with a hint of a smile. "Alright... I'll think on it..."
He nodded in return and backed away.
There was another brief moment of silence as Thunderwing and I walked alongside each other, pulling the wagon. Thunderwing glanced at our group, then turned to me with a wry smile. "So, what's this about Petiole's life being tied to yours...?"
"Ah, that..." I smiled nervously. "Well, I guess when he died, he caught a vision of me or something like that."
"Awwww..." Thunder grinned. "You two are soul mates!"
"Wha...?" I balked, then looked back at him to see his LED had flashed red upon looking back at me. "N-no." I turned back to Thunderwing. "No, we're not like that. I mean, I joke around, but..."
"Most definitely not." Petiole interrupted. "I hold no romantic interest in anyone. Period."
I couldn't imagine myself with a ghoul... ever. The radiation exposure, how their wrinkly, melted hide felt... The idea alone made me shudder in distaste.
I never even really got a good look at Petiole's junk, but I got a vivid mental image of a thick, wrinkly jerky stick... Blegh...
Well, I think I'm gonna try the more vegetarian route from now on...
... Okay, that was a lie. I could never stop eating mea-
At the sound of a loud, synthetic bang, a red laser struck Thunderwing in the chest. She cried out in pain, holding a hoof to her chest as she collapsed. "Fucking asshole!"
"Contact!" Destrier shouted as he hopped out of the wagon and ran to her side. "Leave the wagon!"
Him and I quickly began undoing her harness, and more laser fire came at us.
"Petiole, spot the-AGH!" A laser round struck my chest, and shortly after, another struck me in the head. Had it not been for my helmet, my brain would have probably been red dust by now.
I hit the ground, and Destrier began dragging Thunderwing to cover, behind a building, before going back for me as I frantically worked on undoing the harness that kept my glued to the wagon.
Most of the others had already gotten to safety and were supplying cover fire for the ones that weren't quite there yet. I didn't see Para or Petiole with the others, so I imagined they were still near the wagon. Fluky was safe, though.
A barrage of lasers kept at us, striking a variety of things around us, and occasionally hitting home.
Destrier returned fire as he bucked a rear hoof against the lock mechanism on the harness, therefore releasing me. I got up and went around the wagon, still shaken up from the shots I received. Para was sitting back happily; his forehooves behind his head, and his hind legs crossed. His stetson was pulled over his eyes as he smiled. Damn it, Para!
Petiole was looking through the scope on his sniper, aiming in the direction that the lasers were coming from; a wall of bricks with a series of window openings.
"C'mon!" I shouted. "Get off of there!"
Petiole fired one round, then lightly kicked Para to get up before heading for the back of the wagon, all while getting shot at. He didn't seem to pay any mind. Some of the rounds struck him, but I didn't hear or see any sign of pain on him.
Para grabbed his Little Buddy cage, hoisted it on his back, then began to hop out. As he did, one of the incoming laser rounds struck the cage at the base, causing it to melt. Petiole ripped it off of him once he hit the ground and tossed it on the ground, before it could cause any damage to him. The mechanical rabbit within was perfectly fine, but Para was sulking as he stared down at its home.
"W-why...?" He looked at Petiole with heartbroken eyes. To my surprise, I didn't see even a hint of tears.
"Shut up." Petiole hissed. He took the bunny out of its cage and shoved it against Para's chest. It let out a metallic squeak as it was pressed against him, and Para took it in a hoof, hugging it close. "Just shut up and follow Charger."
Para reluctantly nodded after putting Little Buddy in one of his many coat pockets.
Petiole got on my back without question, which didn't do any favors for my chest, or my head, but... fine, whatever.
I ran across the gap between the wagon and the building to get to the others. Para took my safer side, not realizing he was using me as a shield. Along the way, I received two hits. The first one was to my side, right where I had been cut open by a buzzsaw about a week ago. The armor deflected most of it, but it still stung like hell...
The second one was to my hoof, which made me almost trip and fall right before reaching the building everyone else was hiding behind.
Petiole slid off my back and went to the corner to check on the hostiles. All the while, I was glaring at Para.
"What were you doing?" I asked as my hoof crackled.
"Relaxin'." He smiled at me. Goddess damn that smile...
"In the middle of a firefight?" I blurted.
"Don't yell, it's rude." He frowned at me suddenly.
"Don't yell, it's ru-" I muttered before continuing in a sarcastic tone. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot my manners."
"Apology accepted!" He beamed at me once more as he reached out a hoof, and I rolled my eyes as I turned away from him.
"How many do you think there are?" Destrier asked. "We're too far away from them to get a reading on the E.F.S."
"Four left." Petiole replied calmly as he kept a lookout through his scope. "I took one out before I got off the wagon."
"I didn't hear anything apart from laser weapons." Tezu stated. "I think we can take them."
"Those were standard laser rifles. Not meant for sniping." I filled in. "I think if we move in on their camp in all directions, we can wipe them out with no casualties." I winced and sat on my haunches, taking pressure off my bad hoof. My rear was still charged up. The pain must've been keeping it around.
"How do you know exactly what weapons they have?" Blaze asked, raising a brow at me.
"I spent my years in training learning what sounds belong to which specific gun. Not sure if you noticed, but different variants of laser weapons have different sounds. Pistols, while loud, are very abrupt. Rifle shots echo, and snipers are the loudest and more drawn out, respectively."
"So... the bigger the gun, the more drawn out the sound is...?"
I nodded with a confident smile. "Correct."
He looked at me for a few seconds in silence, before replying. "Huh... How did I not notice that...?"
"Okay, great." Thunderwing started. "So now we know what guns they have. We still don't know if there are more hiding there." She groaned as she stood up, rubbing her chest gently. "What if there's more waiting there for us to make a move? A close quarter incursion could be a mistake."
Tuner would know, if he responded... Frickin' mind games...
I looked over at Petiole. "Still see them?"
"No, they took cover."
"Alright... Keep an eye out for them, in case they try sneaking over here."
"Got it, boss."
... Heh... why did that make me all tingly inside...?
I turned back to Thunderwing and began. "So say there is more than four over there. We keep our snipers here, and we send an assault team over there, but try and lure them out, instead of going in."
"How are we going to lure them out, exactly?" She asked with a raised brow.
I reached into my saddle bag, keeping up a wry smile as I pulled out a lemon. "With these..."
Thunderwing gave me a flat look, but Destrier nodded. "Chuck the lemons in. Whatever ones make it out alive, we take out ourselves. Good plan."
Thunderwing turned to him in disbelief. "Oh, wonderful. Para's stupidity is contagious. First Charger, now you." She pointed a hoof at the citrusy, sour fruit of death and glared. "It's a lemon!"
I grinned as I regarded her. "Oh, they aren't just lemons, love. They're combustible lemons."


(((((((◉)))))))


Destrier and I stood in a barber shop across the street from their outpost from the north side, which seemed to be a courtyard before the bombs. I couldn't see very much in there, even through my scope. There were stairs that led down all around the campus, and most of the ground there was out of my sight, so either whoever was shooting at us was in hiding, or they were out here somewhere, searching for us to try and finish the job.
During the time we were preparing, another migraine had began to form in my head. Just another thing I needed to deal with... damn it...
I stayed ducked behind the window pane, keeping a close eye out for any movement while Destrier readied up. He was silent, as usual... but I felt something off about it this time.
I glanced back at him as he prepared his gun.
"Hey..."
He looked up at me calmly. "What?"
"Is something wrong?"
There was a brief pause before he answered. "No." With that, he resumed doing a weapon check to make sure it was functional.
"Do you think... my plan is bad?" I clenched my teeth, kinda hoping he'd be on my side here.
"The vengeance plan, or the one we're currently on?"
"Uh... both?"
"Yes for the first, no for the second. This one has a good approach so far."
I nodded slowly, looking back at him once more. "And the revenge plan...?"
He stopped and regarded me. "I get it, Charger. You need justice for whatever's been done to you. I know all too well what that's like. I've been in your horse shoes. But I also know when it's the right time to deliver that justice. You're hardly prepared or equipped, you don't even know where your bunker is, and you're outnumbered." He stepped forward and came to a stop directly in front of me. "Personally, I'd say to try to move on and live your life. Just move past it and ignore them. But that's better said than done. So if you're going to try and get revenge... then I strongly advise you to wait for the right opportunity. Otherwise you and everyone that chooses to help you will wind up dead."
Well, that was certainly some food for thought. I was starting to take this advice everyone was giving me to heart now. I was already pretty much dead, what with the F-virus inside me... Blegh, don't remind me... But maybe I should just try living whatever life I had left. Resume my search for Snow Star. Find someplace to live. Someplace quiet, and as peaceful as anything can get out here in the Equestrian wasteland.
But I knew that couldn't happen. Not until I got my answers and their blood on my hooves.
It would just have to be postponed for a bit...
"I also gotta ask..." Destrier continued. "You sure you wanna bring the kid in on this ambush?"
I smiled faintly. "Yeah, why not? She's gotta learn to fight. Especially when-" I'm not around anymore...
I shook my head, frowning at the thought. "Nothing, nevermind. Point is, Fluky's in good company." I smiled forcefully and looked out the window, back at the courtyard. I caught a blinding reflection of light from a small, three story office building about two blocks away to the east of the courtyard. "Alright, the company's moving. Let's git."
Destrier and I left through the same way we came in; the fire exit in the back, then circling around the building.
I caught Para and Blaze sneaking in on the courtyard, directly ahead of us, down the street at the next intersection, which meant Tezu, Riot, and Fluky were closing in on the upper left corner from where we were. Least... I hoped they were.
Destrier and I took cover behind a wagon that had been stripped of most of its parts. I peeked my head out to see the coast was still clear, then glanced back at the steel-clad pony, clenching my teeth and closing my eyes after. I shuddered under my breath and shook my head.
"What is it?" The voyeur asked as he towered over me. His voice reminded me it wasn't really him. It was all in my head...
I looked back up at Destrier and answered. "I don't do well with power armor standing behind me... Sorry... Just brings back bad memories..."
Destrier stepped up and stopped at my side. "Better?"
I swallowed and nodded shakily. I peeked back around the corner after I collected myself. "Moving in. Cover me."
"On it." He looked around the corner of the wagon, still doing his best to stay hidden.
I made a run for the brick wall that helped fortify their position. As I advanced, several red blips appeared. There were far more than four...
I lost count after hitting the twenties. Least... I think it was in the twenties. I might have accidentally counted the same ones a few times. It was hard to keep track of them all...
As I ran up to the wall, I pressed my side against the structure and slowly moved for the north entrance; three arches with two brick pillars to separate them. There weren't any gates, so I could just walk in. Though, that wasn't the plan.
I really hoped they didn't have any pipbucks. Otherwise I was under their radar...
I heard voices around the corner, but they were both distant and hushed. Nothing I could really understand from here.
I was about to turn the corner and peek my head out, but before I could, there was a shout... One that was voiced at the top of their lungs...
Para...
"THIS LOOKS LIKE A JOB FOR AMBASSADOR PINEAPPLE!"
"Who the hell-" Was all one of the hostiles managed to get out before a series of explosions rocked the vicinity.
Despite me being behind a brick wall, I dropped on my stomach and covered the top of my armored head with my forehooves, in case anything started to rain down on me. Throughout the various explosions, I could hear faint shouting. But the majority of it had been drowned out, and those explosions were shortly replaced with the whistling of Fluky's firework launcher, followed by the blast of mortar rounds that lit the inside of the courtyard with red, blue, green, yellow, white, and purple. Lights flashed in these various colors, casting the silhouettes of the pillars in front of me along the ground.
I closed my eyes, trying to not go blind from the light show.
There was more shouting, some of which I thought was from Blaze, Tezu, and even Fluky, for that matter. My ears were ringing from the constant explosions, and if that wasn't enough, there was gunfire in the mix. A 50 caliber sniper rifle went off alongside Thunder's laser battle saddle, and lasers from the ground released their synthetic blasts across the sound waves. Fireworks whistled, exploded, and crackled. Ponies screamed. Either in agony, or in rage, it was hard to tell. But none of those screams were coming from my or Thunder's team.
When I opened my eyes, Destrier was standing against the other side of the arched entrances. He was looking at me, and upon making eye contact with his visor, he nodded to me, then peeked out. A red laser nearly struck him in the head, causing him to recoil as a small section of the brick wall dissipated into a cloud of dust. A scorch mark was left in its place.
I stood up on all fours, pulled out a lemon, took a deep breath, and as I peeked around the corner, chucked the lemon where I saw the most red; at a group of raiders that were back to back, blasting away at the other two assault teams at the other entrances. I didn't see them, which meant they must have been taking cover. But so were what remained of these raiders.
In what little I saw, there were at least five bodies laying strewn about, some of which were missing limbs or had their intestines pulled out from gravity's grasp.
The lemon burst, and then came the sizzling of melting flesh and screaming. Not long after, was the smell...
As I retreated for more cover, I immediately felt the slam of a hoof to my face.
No, not just a hoof...
My jaw snapped to the side, and an electrical current coarsed through my head, before traveling to the rest of my body. My bones may as well have been made of glass, ready to shatter at any moment as I collapsed on the ground, convulsing.
I couldn't control myself. But I was wide awake, and I could feel everything.
Black foam emerged between my lips as the electricity explored every inch of my body. I could feel my black blood boil inside me. As if it were screeching and trying to escape the torture. My metal hoof was going haywire, all the while.
I caught a good view of Destrier who had his gun turned over me, and blasting at whatever hit me. He began looking around frantically after a few shots, circling around.
As his back was turned to me, a pink mare with a static-charged power hoof and raider armor appeared between the two of us. She had a light blonde mane and tail under that armor.
I caught the glimpse of a pipbuck on her forearm, but it was dented and beaten. Still operational, however. A lot bulkier than my model, too...
I wanted to scream. I wanted to warn him about her. But my body had shut down on itself. I couldn't move! Couldn't talk or scream! Just lie there and watch! Fuck, no!
With little to no hesitation, she rammed the hoof against his flank, causing his body to go rigid and keel over with a heavy thud as he suffered through the same shock treatment as I.
"Both pathetic..." She sneered, looking at the two of us. "Your friends are as good as dead..." She finally focused on me. "But you... Someone wants you alive... for now... You'll make a pretty cap." She grinned, revealing a scrambled assortment of rotted, black teeth. Only then, did I notice the patches of hide that had been ripped off of her. The armor hid it well, but it was still noticeable after a second glance. Her mane didn't seem to be all there, either.
She was an earth pony, like me.
No, wait... I wasn't an earth pony...
I could taste the foul flavors of my blackened insides on my tongue as she moved closer to take me and started to hoist me over her back. I could feel my jaw hanging limp as she started to take me through the entrance to the courtyard. All I could see was the floor and her hooves, but I knew which direction she took...
I could hear Para screaming through all the gunfire, but I couldn't comprehend what it was he was saying. There was too much noise.
He didn't sound in pain, though. More like... emotional distress.
In the background, through all the gunfire, I thought I could hear my name being yelled from one of my group. We barely got through the entrance of the courtyard, when the pony that was hauling me to her friends jolted back. Not as if she were attempting to dodge something, but as if something had grabbed a hold of her from behind.
I couldn't see much of anything, what with my view of the concrete walkway, but I noticed that we were moving back at a quick pace. The raider didn't fight back or shout. In fact, it seemed she was frozen in place. I didn't see any aura of magic from where I was, so this couldn't have been some unicorn trick...
Once we disappeared behind the corner, where I had once been before my jaw was left broken, I felt a set of hooves on me. Gentle hooves... Caring...
They wrapped around my barrel, hoisted my off the stiff mare's back, and brought me to the wall, gently setting me down next to it. They turned me over to grant me sight of them.
This pony was covered head to hoof in an armor I've never seen before. The design was alien to me, and I've studied a lot of armors in my time... But this was something else...
For one, this armor seemed to be able to change color. No, not through LED lighting, like Petiole's armor... I mean the metal itself had the ability to change color. Red, to a matte black, to a deep purple. And not all at once. It changed colors in the way waves moved through water.
Their dark red visor was that of a slanted glass pane - most likely reinforced - declining from the brow, and stopped at the muzzle, which was covered with a sort of ventilation system. And oddly enough, I did see a unicorn horn! It was wrapped in a blackened steel.
They looked down at me for a few intimidating, quiet moments, before turning around towards the mare. The stranger knew I was awake... somehow. Knew I was alive. They had to of known, seeing as my eyes were locked on their visor, unable to move.
The mare that had tried to take me away seemed stuck in place. The masked figure gently laid her on her side and removed her helmet, before standing up on their hind legs and crushing their skull with their forehooves, all in one blow.
Was there any pain...? Or was it quick?
The stranger looked back at me and began to approach in a calm manner. They placed a bloodstained hoof on my shoulder, looking down at me.
"Stay calm... I'm here to help."
There was a mare behind that visor.
She carefully removed my helmet and put both hooves on my jaw. Pain flared up, but I still couldn't move. I was paralyzed... or something like it, anyways...
"This is going to hurt."
In one quick motion, she snapped my jaw back into place. Holy fuck nuts, I wanted to scream so bad! My body was screaming right now, but my voice couldn't! Son of a bitch!
A compartment in her side opened up, and she levitated a few health potions out. One of them, she opened and gently pressed against my lips, tilting it slowly. "Drink it slow. Don't rush..."
The sweet, yet tangy taste of restoration filled my mouth and washed down my throat, and the pain in my jaw was starting to subside. Oh, thank fuck...
I closed my eyes at the sweet sensation she was providing through a bottle, drinking and gulping down the contents slowly. At least I was able to control a little bit more of my body now...
Before I knew it, the bottle was empty.
I opened my eyes, looking up at her, smiling faintly. "T-thank you..." I worked my jaw a bit. It felt new!
She froze as she stared down at me in silence for a few seconds, before returning the empty bottle to her compartment, which slid closed after. She gently set the other two bottles down next to me and spoke in a soft, caring tone.
"Stay here... I'm going to help your friends with this firefight... and when you're able, go help your friend over there." She pointed a hoof at Destrier. "He's in a lot of pain right now."
"T... thank you..." I muttered, leaning my head back against the wall and closing my eyes.
As she walked off, I heard her reply. Though I didn't think I was meant to hear it.
"Don't thank me..."
I looked over at her just before she disappeared through the archway. Gunfire amplified, and the screams of my foes joined in the mix. Fluky's fireworks blasted away, nearly drowning out all other sounds. Para continued shouting, but I still couldn't make out what he was saying. Petiole and Thunderwing's rifles boomed in the distance.
The screaming became thinner, and so did the guns. One voice stopped every few seconds... and so did their guns. It all came down to one voice. Para's. He was still screaming, but now I could actually hear what he was going on about.
"NOOOOOOOOOO! YOU BLEW HIM UP! HOW COULD YOUUUUU!? YOU REALLY BLEW HIM UP! YOU MONSTERS!"
I groaned as my body ached. I rolled onto all fours and stood up, making my way to Destrier with the two health potions. My body wasn't used to moving just yet, but at least I was able to now. As I passed by the three archways, I saw my team moving in to the courtyard, free of any living raiders. The strange mare stood over a corpse that had a hole drilled through their head. Not from a bullet... This was much bigger than that...
Para was holding what little remained of a belt in his forehooves as he shouted at the heavens.
Wait... HE THREW THE ENTIRE BELT OF GRENADES AT ONCE!? OH, GODDESS FUCKING DAMN IT, PARA! WHY THE HELL DID YOU... no. Just no. I wasn't dealing with it right now... I swear, if I focused on it, I was going to have a brain aneurysm.
My team kept a close eye on the mare that stood there, stiff and silent, looking back at them all. Some of my team saw me walking past the entrance, and I quickly nodded to them. They nodded back, then started to approach her warily.
I stopped at Destrier's body, which laid rigid before me.
"You okay?" I asked softly.
"I'm never okay..." He muttered back, his voice muffled. Guess his armor was offline... Ugh, I dreaded the idea of being stuck in power armor like that... again.
"I'm going to take off your helmet, Desty." I said as I started to remove it from his head.
"Thanks, Charger..."
I slid the helmet off, and he looked up at me while keeping his head still.
"Do you need a pick-me-up?" I swirled the contents of one of the bottles around in front of him.
"Save it... I'm not in any life threatening conditions right now."
I nodded and put the contents of one of the bottles into my pipbuck, for if I was ever in immediate danger. I put the other in front of him.
"What's happening in the courtyard?" He asked, wincing.
"Some random pony just kinda showed up and... took out the rest of the raiders. I think she's on our side..."
Thunderwing landed beside me after setting Petiole at the entrance.
"Desty, you okay?" She trotted up to him, then examined his body. "Ah, not again..." She hit a small button that I hadn't noticed before, in between the armor plating of his left forearm, using the pinions of her wing. At once, his body fell limp.
"Thanks, Thunder..."
She nuzzled him, then regarded me. "Who's the stranger in the courtyard?"
"I don't know her name, but she seems to be on our side. She helped me out."
Thunderwing nodded with a faint smile. "Go check on her. I'll stay here with Destrier."
I nodded back, then made my way for the entrance. Petiole had grabbed my helmet where I was originally and handed it back to me. I put it back on as I made my way into the courtyard. My group stayed a safe distance away as they had their conversation with her.
She looked at Para, who was still screaming.
"AMBASSADOR PINEAPPLE! AMBASSADOR PINEAPPLEEEEEEEEE!"
"What's up with him?" She asked calmly, looking around the group.
"I'm not quite sure any of us really know." I stated, stepping up behind her and stopping at her side. "Name's Charger. And the screaming lunatic over there is Para."
"Hollow." She replied, looking me over. Her horn lit up in a black and red aura, and a dark bubble appeared over Para, forming a dome around him. At once, his screaming became muted. "He was giving me a headache." She stated matter-of-factly.
He sure as hell wasn't helping my migraine... As if the guns and explosions hadn't already made it so much worse...
"Why did you help us?" Blaze asked, keeping his flamer on her. "Who are we to you?"
She looked around at the surrounding party with ease. "Just a bunch of ponies that needed saving, is all."
"What flag do you serve under?" Tezu started.
"My own."
My team didn't seem to like that response, judging by the alarmed looks they all shared.
"Are you with us, or against us?" I asked calmly, still testing out my jaw.
She regarded me in her calm manner. "That's for you to decide, Charger."
I stared for a few moments, before going to Petiole and whispering. "Can you keep an eye on her? I gotta talk with Thunderwing and the others."
He nodded and began approaching Para. I waved the others over.
As they began to come over, a thought occurred to me.
I just asked Petiole, a Happy victim, to go calm his killer down. And he knew who Para really was, now... Yet he didn't seem to hold back any grudges. That was... odd, to say in the least...
I'd have to talk to him about that, later... Why he was so passive over someone he hated... It didn't exactly sit right by me.
The team and I made our way to the archway, but by the time we showed up, Thunderwing and Destrier were already heading towards us.
"So who is she?" Thunder asked as they stopped before us.
"Hard to say..." Tezu muttered, glancing back at her.
"Seems to be the lone wolf type." I stated. "But she helped us. I think that warrants some level of trust, right?"
"Ehh..." Riot countered, looking back at her. "Maybe..."
"She saved me." I said, looking around the group. "And on top of that, took out the rest of the raiders. Things could have turned out differently, had she not helped."
"I'm with Charger on this one." Destrier pointed out, looking at me specifically. "I think we could use someone with her level of expertise on our side..."
Thunderwing nodded in agreement, as did Blaze and Fluky. Tezu and Riot seemed to still be debating on whether or not this was a good idea.
"Look, for where we're going, we'll definitely need all the help that we can get." I pointed out, to which Thunderwing quickly replied.
"NCR."
"Without getting involved in politics." I hastily added, frowning at her. I turned to the others after. "This is as good as we're gonna get it."
Tezu and Riot looked to one another, then shrugged before turning back to me.
"Alright..." Riot muttered. "We're on board with bringing her along... assuming she wants to."
I nodded to them, and started to turn toward the visitor, approaching calmly. The rest of the group stayed behind me. She seemed focused on me, even before I had turned to her again.
"Hey." I said, stopping a few feet before her.
She didn't reply. Just continued to stare silently.
Okay then...
I noticed that Para had calmed down, and the bubble was gone. That was good...
"So I just talked to the others, and we were wondering if you wanted to tag along. Just for a little bit. We're heading to an apartment complex across the river, in Portlandia, and we'll need all the help we can get..."
"Infested with ferals, correct?"
"Uh... yeah. There's something I gotta get there, but we plan on looting the place for anything valuable, then selling it later. We're all getting a cut of the profit, and we need someone like you, if you're up for it."
She nodded quietly. "I can help."
Phew! That was easy...
"I can get us there right now. Skip through the streets and start off in the building itself. There's no getting across those streets... Trust me."
I nodded, small relief growing on my features. "Sounds a lot better than crossing that river..."
"There's just one problem." She continued. "Doing this with these many ponies... and one dragon... It's going to give my horn a huge burn out. So once we're in, it's going to take some time before we can get back out."
"I think we can handle that." I said with an assertive grin. "I mean... how bad can it be?"
> Channel 001.9; 27
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

And now you've invited a whole lot of CRAZY into my life!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


............
It was bad. Oh, it was so bad... It was horrible! I didn't sign up for this! Sweet fucking Celestia, I did NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS!
Hollow wasn't kidding about the streets being inaccessible!
And it didn't put my mind at ease that everyone's pipbucks started screaming at us!
A heavy tune began to play from the radio, along with a loud, metal banging. There was a singer, but I wasn't too focused on the lyrics. This place was a disaster! I didn't have time to focus on the music!
My team and I stood in a barricaded lobby on the first floor. Thunder roared, and lightning flashed outside as a heavy downpour bombarded the outdoors.
Several ferals laid dead around us. The moment we spawned into the apartment complex, Hollow was already on the ferals in the area. We hardly had time to react before they were getting obliterated by bone crunching blows from her hooves. She had the skill-set of a zebra with how she fought! It was starting to make me wonder...
The horn was certainly giving me mixed signals, though.
Everyone started downing their Rad-x pills and keeping their Rad-Away close and at hoof.
Petiole gave me a few pills and packed my saddle bag with a few packets of Rad-Away right then and there. He gave me an additional one to take that moment.
Ugh... Hurk! Blegh... I was hoping I never got that taste again... Para's 'rotten candy cane' just so happened to be the flavor of Rad-Away... What kind of sick joke was that?
All the windows had been shattered to the main lobby, but they were also heavily barricaded with furniture from other apartment units.
There were several skeletal remains of ponies leaned up against walls, or in the center of the room, along with rusted guns and spent shells. Their clothes were tattered and worn.
A vast army of feral ghouls stood outside of the building, reaching their hooves in, desperately trying to get to us. I couldn't see across the street. There were just too many. My EFS was filled with red, all around. I couldn't even see my allies on here!
I didn't know how long that barricade was going to hold, though. We were well fortified here, but they were going to break through eventually. There was a lot of force being applied. They were pushing the front lines against the structure, crushing them carelessly to get to us. We were on the dinner menu now.
Hollow stared ominously at the horde for a bit, until a cannon the likes of which I've never seen popped out from the armor of her right shoulder, aiming forward. It looked futuristic... More advanced than Para's pistol that he refused to use. There were slanted vents on the side, all of which glowed red on the inside.
Some laser weapon prototype, perhaps? It looked like something that the Ministry of Wartime Technology and the Ministry of Arcane Sciences could have been working on, but never saw the light of day.
It certainly didn't look like any piece of technology that I've ever seen. Not on Equus, anyways.
She looked at me, and as she turned, so did the cannon. Pointing at me... Yikes...
"Where's this thing you gotta get?" She asked simply.
"Tuner?" I asked, looking at Para's radio nervously.
"Unit X-34." His voice spoke through the music. The battery still glowed, thankfully.
All at once, everyone turned to the radio, with the exception of me, Petiole, and Para, who still seemed oblivious to the whole battery issue. Everyone else wore confused or intrigued looks.
One second, almost all eyes were on the radio. The next, they were on me.
It then came to my attention that wherever Hollow looked, the cannon pointed. Interesting...
I grinned sheepishly, adjusting my helmet. "I'll explain later..."
"This'll be a doozy..." Thunderwing replied, looking me over coolly, before turning to Hollow. "I'd like to be far above this floor when they break through that barrier. So can we hurry this up?"
Hollow nodded and started for the stairs at the far end of the room, down a short hall. I followed beside her, and Thunderwing took her other side. Destrier stayed behind her, his guns armed and ready. He was taller, so he could easily shoot over her without striking any friendlies.
Petiole took my rear, and Para trotted happily beside me, not a Goddess damned care in the world...
Damn it, Para...
Fluky rode on Petiole's back, holding her launcher over her shoulder, and beside his head.
Tezu being about as tall as Desty's armor, stayed beside him, while Blaze and Riot took everyone's six as we moved up the stairs.
Dust and rotted flesh filled the air. Not to mention the severe levels of radiation.
Looking over at Para, my ears wilted. "Why did you do that...?" I asked in an exasperated tone as we proceeded up to the second floor.
"Do what?" He smiled at me.
"Why did you use up all the grenades in one go? We could have really used those here..."
"You mean the rotten pineapples? Well, you told me to throw them earlier. So I threw them."
"Not all at once." I deadpanned. "Not... all at fucking once..." My hoof softly crackled.
"Well, you never specified that!" He beamed at me and nuzzled my neck... before tossing a pebble in my face.
My hoof crackled louder as I glared at him. Before I could say anything, I felt a hoof against my flank. I turned around to see Petiole shaking his head; his LED red.
"I'm not happy with it either..." He stated. "But there's nothing we can do about that now. We still have the lemons, anyways. They should do us some good."
I nodded back at him, feeling myself calm down a little more. The softened electrical currents helped verify that.
As we reached the second floor, we looked ahead at a corridor of doors, some left ajar, wide open, completely off their hinges, or closed. Dirt, dried blood, and litter was left along the walls, ceiling, and floor.
Straight ahead was a T-intersection. Two options. Left and right.
As we passed through the first couple units, Thunderwing and I peeked in, our weapons ready for anything that wanted to jump out at us.
My unit was clear, and evidently, so was hers. No gunfire, no shouting, no problem.
We continued on.
The units on this floor were listed in the A's. That meant... we had to climb 24 floors to get to the X's... great...
"Any chance you can teleport us to the right unit?" I asked, glancing at Hollow, before looking through the next door I passed by.
"Horn's burnt out, like I previously mentioned. Can't happen."
I sighed; my ears wilting. "Yeah, I was afraid you were gonna say that..." Why didn't I ask Tuner what unit it was before we teleported? Idiot! What was I thinking!? I glanced back at Riot. "What about you? Can you teleport us up there?"
He shook his head. "I have trouble just teleporting myself. No way I can take on any more bodies."
At once, Hollow stopped, and her cannon hummed softly as it glowed brighter. "Contact."
Everyone else came to an immediate stop, looking ahead while Blaze and Riot still kept our six covered.
"Where...?" Tezu asked in disappointment.
"Coming around the corner..." Hollow stated calmly.
For a while, there was nothing. All we could hear were the feral's snarls outsi...
Wait... that was a lot clearer than it should have been...
I cocked my rifle at the sudden realization that we had a horde coming our way. They must have heard us... Probably when we first came in with Hollow slamming the ferals on the first floor into the ground, as we weren't exactly talking that loud. Damn it...
All I had left were normal rounds, in terms of ammunition. My hoof began crackling again as my heart beat harder in my chest.
"This game begins..." Tuner muttered. No one else seemed to hear it... but I did.
Before I could say anything, ferals ran into view from the right side of the intersection. Far more than we could deal with...
We were fucked.
It was hard to tell who fired first. Almost simultaneously, a wave of lead, red beams of energy, and fire washed over them, dropping them like flies to a swatter. Hollow's beams seemed to cut through the ferals relatively easily, but the cooldown time was a big problem. Corpses slowly piled up along the floor, but they were gradually closing in, and there was more coming out from the right corridor.
We just barely held the line at the checkpoint. We didn't stand a chance here.
"We need to find an escape route!" I shouted behind the grip. "Blaze, Riot, start looking!"
"On it!" Riot shouted back.
A mortar launched ahead, and shortly after the brief whistling of a firework, came a multi-colored explosion of light that killed my ear drums.
The blast knocked the ferals back a bit, but they recovered hastily. Still, every second counted against that merciless demon known as Time.
Once the lightshow ended, and the ferals began coming through again, fire began its spread across the floor. It didn't help that Tezu's fire was also starting to spread from the corpses that had fallen.
Well, that was a problem...
There was a sudden crashing sound downstairs, and the choir of ferals grew louder behind us; the symphony of thunder and rain almost drowned them out completely. I had noticed after adjusting my ears to hear what was happening on our six. I couldn't turn and look. There was too much going on ahead of us.
"I found an exit!" Riot called out.
"And not a moment sooner! I'll hold 'em off, just go!" Blaze shouted soon after.
"Everyone, move!" Thunder blurted, glancing back.
The company behind us started to go into one of the units as Thunderwing, Hollow, and I held the front back as best we could. Blaze, Tezu, and Riot covered our rears as everyone ran in the unit. I had a strong feeling that Petiole was walking, though...
"Everyone else is through." Hollow stated in a surprisingly calm manner. "Let's move."
Thunderwing and I started to step back, still keeping our guns hot. Hollow joined us soon after. The ferals were about a door's length away from reaching us now.
"Everyone, IN!" Thunderwing shouted at the top of her lungs, behind her bit. Her guns finally clicked, and she spat. "I'm out!" She turned and ran for Blaze, Tezu, and Riot, who did what they could to hold off the ferals that broke through the bottom floor.
When Hollow and I turned to go through the unit everyone else was in, I found our six was now left bare. The ferals were pouring through both ends. I didn't see any of our party in the mix with the undead, so I assumed they made it in the unit.
But our route was about to be blocked off...
With no hesitation, the two of us charged for the door. She ran in first, and as I started to, one of the ferals behind me lunged, grabbing a hold of my metal hoof and gnawing on it aggressively.
Seeing as my electricity was flowing, it was immediately electrocuted and killed. I hastily dragged the body through the doorway as Hollow slammed it shut, locking it afterwards. Not even a second after, the other side was being pounded against violently.
She proceeded to turn to me with a short nod, before turning to everyone else. "That's not going to hold."
Everyone was reloading their guns for the small timeframe we had to recover. I flipped my mag, which, unfortunately, only had normal rounds as well. I really wish I had the premium stuff...
Afterwards, I started looking at our options. I didn't see any ways into the next unit over, or up to the next floor... or even down.
The emergency stairway that was built into the side of the outer walls was severely damaged and rusted. Rails had fallen apart, not to mention entire sections of the structure.
Where we were at right now, there was no way we could reach it. And to make matters worse... Ghoul pegasi... They were all over the place out there, but they didn't seem interested in us right now. So staying inside was the safest option. Safest... Yeah... right...
I looked back at Riot, frowning. "I thought you said there was an exit here."
He grinned and pointed a hoof up to the ceiling. "There is."
The wooden door started to crack and splinter. I could see the ferals through the gaps... Screaming... Growling... Biting... Glaring behind their pale eyes...
"We don't have enough ammo to waste on a ceiling." Thunderwing stated in clear annoyance towards Riot.
"Hey, we're still alive." He slammed two drums into his shotguns and cocked them, still smiling faintly. "I bought us time to argue more."
"Hey, enough!" I stepped in, glaring at both of them. I quickly turned to Hollow. "Can you make an exit for us?"
"I'll set a charge. Watch the door. Shouldn't be long." With that, she pulled off a few circular, metal disks from her chest, all of which looked out of this world. Just who was this pony...?
I hesitantly turned back to the door, pulled out a lemon, and waited.
Once everyone was done reloading, they joined me, giving the door their undivided attention as the ferals tore through. No one spoke. All was silent among the group...
Then, quite suddenly, Petiole's sniper roared. We all turned to him, and out came another shot.
I looked back at the door to see a feral drop with each successful shot to the head, through the gaps.
Everyone focused on the door again as he took them out, one shot at a time. Two, if he was lucky enough to get one in the right spot behind the first, which I saw happen a few times.
No one else was firing at the ghouls at the door.
It wouldn't have really mattered. There were far too many to make a difference. Plus, if we were all firing, it would have only damaged the door faster, allowing them in quicker. We needed every second time was willing to offer us...
There was an electric humming behind us, followed by something a lot like snapping branches... but louder, and more synthesized.
"Alright, it's done." Hollow stated, and some of us turned to look back at a triangular hole in the ceiling, leading up to another unit on the third floor.
"Where's the rubble?" I asked, looking at the empty flooring, where debris was to be expected from the blast.
"Don't worry about it." She pointed up. "Thunderwing. I'm gonna need you to haul everyone up there."
She nodded. "On it. Destrier, eyes on the door."
"Done." He replied, not taking his eyes off the door for even a second.
"I'll stay here with him until everyone else is up." I stated, facing the door again.
"I second that." Tezu joined in.
Thunderwing nodded to the three of us, then spread her wings to fly up there first with no one but herself, presumably to check if the coast was clear. A few seconds later, she came back down. "Alright, let's do this. Who's going first?"
"Take Fluky." I said quickly. "Then it's dealer's choice from there."
Fluky reached out for her once she began to approach, then held her close with both hooves.
"My, you're heavy." Thunder chuckled softly.
"I'm not heavy. You're just weak."
"... And feisty. I like that."
One by one, she began to extract everyone to the third floor through the opening that Hollow had made. It turned out her charges were reusable, cause I saw her put them back in her chest compartment... THING. Slots. Whatever.
Everything about her was practically alien to me... Just glad she was working with us... for now.
She stayed with Destrier, Tezu, and I. Petiole was the last to go up, before it was just the four of us. The ferals were just about to get through now... We had mere seconds before they were in the unit.
Thunderwing was working a sweat as she rushed back and forth, hauling us all up individually. She went back for Tezu, and though he couldn't fly anymore, his one wing helped get him up there faster, therefore saving time, as well as Thunder's already exerted energy.
I wasn't too heavy, but Destrier was going to be a problem. Hollow too, maybe... Tezu probably would have been too, if he hadn't helped support his weight with his wing.
Splinters of wood flew off the door as it split in half. Ferals poured through, into the living room. Our guns roared from across the room, peppering the incoming horde with hot lead and lasers.
I felt Thunder's hooves wrapped around my barrel, but I quickly shook her off me, biting down on the bit harder as I kept my gun hot. "GET DESTRIER FIRST!" I blurted, drooling over the pressure-triggered handle I kept my teeth glued to all the while.
Immediately after, I chucked the lemon in my hoof at the horde. It burst upon impact, dousing the front lines and beyond in the acidic substance, while the rest of it pooled up in the carpet. It damaged the hooves of any who ran across, but it didn't do much on our behalf. It wasn't enough to cripple them.
Destrier was lifted up with great effort. Thunder was putting great strain to her muscles in both her arms and wings to get him to the third floor.
"Recharging." Hollow said calmly, raising up on her rear hooves... and staying upright.
What the hell...?
I backed up as the ferals resumed their push towards us. Come on, Thunder... get us out of here...
Hollow kept her ground as they advanced.
My gun went dry, and as I fished around for another double sided magazine, I called out to Hollow. "What are you doing!?"
She didn't reply, and as one of the ferals went to pounce on her, she spun around to her left, staying up on her two rear hooves, then wrapped a hoof around the ghoul's neck as it started to land where she once was. In one quick motion, she bent it completely backwards, bending the spinal column in a way that it was never supposed to bend. Even through the thunder, rain, and horde, I could still hear the bones cracking.
As I slammed a new mag home and cocked the rifle, the horde began to surround her. Before they could cover all exits, she retreated with a variety of back flips, coming to a landing next to me, still on her hind legs.
What the fuck did I just see...?
I quickly reached into my bag yet again and chucked another lemon at the incoming mob, blasting them with the acidic burst that sizzled as it burnt away at all it touched.
Before I knew it, Thunderwing swept down, wrapped her hooves around my barrel once more, and lifted me off the ground. Hollow disappeared in a black and red flash, and upon touching the ground to the third floor, I saw her reappear before my group and I.
Petiole's LEDs flared blue.
"Short distance teleportation." She stated calmly, looking at me primarily. "Doesn't take much energy, so long as it's just me."
"Great..." Riot muttered. His ears were folded back as he deadpanned in her direction. "So your horn is all but useful to us."
She slowly turned to him, replying in her still surprisingly calm state. "My horn is our only escape out of here. And I'd prefer not to do any teleporting, period. Not until we get what we came here for. I need to save the energy for all of us to get out. Alive, preferably."
The lot of us looked down the perfect triangle that was carved into the flooring to the second floor, where a seemingly endless horde of hungry ferals glared up at us behind their dead eyes, snarling and biting.
"Para..." I looked over at him to see he was smiling, as always. Damn it, Para... "Make yourself useful." I reached into my bag and carefully pulled out all the lemons I had left on me. There were a total of five left... It wasn't much, but it was something.
I handed them over to him. "When I say throw, I need you to throw one lemon. Just one. Don't hesitate. Don't eat it. Just. Throw. When I saw throw a second time, you throw another one. ONLY. ONE. Whenever I saw throw, what do you do?"
He rubbed his chin, thinking to himself for a few seconds. Damn it Para, if you don't get this, I'm gonna-
"Throw one?" He finally said with a puzzled look.
... Thank you, dear Celestia, or Luna, or whoever the fuck was looking down at us right now...
"Yes." I smiled faintly. "And... be careful with those. They're extremely temperamental."
"A lot like you." Petiole replied, looking directly at me. Some of the group chuckled a bit at that.
"Watch it, you moldy raisin." I frowned, and his LEDs flickered red for a bit, before going blue once more. Admittedly, my hoof kinda flared up a bit with electricity. Just a smidge.
I watched as Para put the lemons in his jacket pockets, away from his bunny, before beaming at me.
"We should keep moving." Hollow stated, looking down at the ferals below us, before turning to the door. "The clock is ticking."
Speaking of which...
I took a glance at my pipbuck to see my geigercounter was showing I was about halfway to reaching critical conditions with the radiation exposure...
I quickly took out some Rad-x and two packets of Rad-Away, downing both.
Blegh... T-tastes better than tentacles... but not by much... Yuck... Cigarettes tasted better than this...
Once the rest of the group saw my actions, they followed shortly after. Well, except for Hollow. She didn't seem to care much for the radiation. Now that I thought about it, I hadn't seen her take a single pill or packet of Rad-Away... Was she a ghoul? Like Petiole? A ghoul with a normal voice? Or did she have some audio thing in her helmet? Hm...
While the rest of the team was treating their radiation levels, she had opened the front door to the unit we were in, peeking her head out. It was hard to tell with the loud mob below us, and the storm outside, but I didn't think I heard anything hostile in the corridor, outside. I only hoped that was the case...
I noticed her peek her head around the corner for a few seconds, before looking back at us.
"I'll be back momentarily. Stay here."
Before any of us could ask what she was doing, she had left and closed the door behind her on the way out.
"This is insane..." Blaze chuckled softly. "Gotta admit, though... it's fun as hell."
"Everyone should check their inventory." I stated as I started to tamper with my pipbuck. I could have sworn there was an option to... ah, yes. There we are.
Everything that I had on me was organized neatly in my pipbuck. A sort of manifest of everything I had. Even the smallest megaspell tech was fascinating in so many levels.
"So..." Fluky started as she sorted through her ammo and mortar rounds. "You gonna finally tell us about this radio deal?"
Everyone turned to me silently, and I felt a nervous grin spread across my features. I took my helmet off and set it down before me, resting a forehoof atop it. "Yeah... I suppose I should..." I sat down and took a deep breath.
I noticed that the music I was hearing had started going quiet once we made it up here. I could still hear it, but it was quieter, and on a loop of a softer part of the song.
"So... I don't fully understand how or why, but there's a bunch of souls trapped in the radio's battery."
Everyone gave me their expected looks of disbelief and skepticism, to which I hastily resumed.
"I know... It doesn't really make sense. It's weird... but..." I rubbed the back of my head awkwardly. "When I was... allegedly dead, back at the weapons depot... I remember being in the battery. Seeing the souls for who they were."
"That's it." Tezu countered, looking at the rest of the party. "Charger's gone insane."
"I know it sounds crazy... But, I mean... I did come back from having my ribs and organs crushed, did I not? You all witnessed it. Yet here I stand. So what makes this crazy?"
Destrier nodded slowly. "So... these souls... They're watching us?"
I nodded back. "As startling as that may be, yes..."
"So..." Thunderwing frowned, looking at Para's radio. I just then noticed he was starting to look restless, and a little panicked... "The battery is the anomaly..."
I raised a brow, unsure of how I felt with how she was eyeing that blue glow... "I... figured you already knew. Omegas figured it out pretty easily."
"Omegas keeps to himself." Thunderwing stated, looking back at me with a blank expression.
"Is there any significance to the battery itself?" Riot asked.
Oof... apart from being a doomsday device?
"The UPC-07 acts as a luck charm." Tuner began immediately, as if he didn't want the whole doomsday topic coming up. "Keep the battery around, and it should keep things going well, for the most part. But don't get careless... It doesn't make you invincible."
A look of shock and horror grew on everyone but Para's face as they stared in ominous silence at the radio.
"Whoa..." Blaze muttered finally. "He's not kidding..."
Hollow came back in not long after. "Let's move."
Para backed up once he saw Hollow. His mouth hung open, but nothing came out. He began looking at everyone else and pointing at Hollow frantically, before curling up into a ball silently and covering his head with his hooves, as if he were about to be struck.
"What's up with him?" Destrier asked, looking down at Para. Hollow stared silently at him all the while.
Petiole kept his distance from Para. "Who knows with him..."
"Tuner." I regarded the radio in his pocket. "What's happening?"
"I'm sorry, Charger..." Tuner replied. "He was about to get out. I had to push Eight in the way, so that no one else got hurt..."
Eight... the one that was a bit late... Which one was that, though?
"Who?" Thunder asked, raising a brow. "He?"
Petiole turned to me silently; his LED still blue. I was surprised with how calm he was about Happy being around... It was kind of unsettling, actually. It made me wonder if he had his own secret agenda...
"Long story..." I muttered as I calmly approached Para, who glanced at me for a brief second before sloppily working his jaw with frightened eyes. Despite his obviously desperate attempts to cry out, nothing came out. He began to back up against the wall as much as he was able.
"Hey, hey..." I said softly, raising a hoof towards him. "It's okay... There's nothing to be afraid of..."
Para... or Eight, I guess... looked at my hoof, then hesitantly and cautiously moved closer, only to sniff it, then retreat back to the wall, looking back at me with a little more ease. I noticed his blinks were being done manually, as if he wasn't used to using that part of his muscle.
He looked down at his hooves, and his jaw dropped as he observed them from all angles. Only after he finished studying his hooves, did he touch them together. He looked back up at me in what I thought was confusion.
Eight...
He was the spider thing back in the battery... wasn't he? He seemed to be the only one I met there that fit the bill. He had no mouth or nose, and his eyelids were different. He had spikes instead of hooves...
Not to mention he was scared of pretty much everyone.
This had to be the spider pony creature in the battery...
I stepped a little closer, but he pressed his back firmly against the wall again. Anymore, and he may as well have phased through it.
"Hey... It's okay..." I whispered, holding out my hoof again. He looked down at it once more with another exaggerated blink, then up at me. "You can trust me... I'm a friend..."
Again, he hesitantly seemed to warm up to me, and reached out a hoof. He still seemed awe-struck with his new adopted body.
His hoof lightly bumped against mine, and I smiled faintly. He recoiled a bit upon contact, then went back and pressed it against my hoof a little more firmly than before.
"Someone's gonna have to explain to me what the fuck is going on right now..." Riot muttered to himself.
"Same..." Blaze stated.
"Quiet..." I whispered as Eight looked to them, tilting his head in confusion. He still seemed a little worried about Hollow's presence. But he also seemed to feel a little safer around me.
His hoof started to travel up my arm, and he pressed his muzzle against my raised forehoof, closing his eyes and taking my scent in.
I giggled softly, and he looked up at me, curious about the expression I was offering.
"Smiling is good." I said softly. "Laughing is better."
He studied my lips for a moment before standing straight and pressing his muzzle against mine, looking into my eyes.
Oh my... I wasn't expecting this...
"Shouldn't we be on the run or something?" Tezu asked impatiently. "You know... radiation poisoning doesn't wait..."
"You all start making your way up. I can track Petiole's tag on my pipbuck when we're back on the move."
There was silence among the crowd, and Eight brushed his muzzle with a hoof, after feeling my breath on his lips. He looked down at them for a few seconds before opening my mouth with his hooves and looking inside. He seemed more curious on where my voice was coming from. When he couldn't find what he was looking for, he looked back up into my eyes and tapped a hoof to my lips, then worked his jaw again.
I tapped my throat and smiled. "My voice is coming from here."
He put a hoof to my throat, tracing my voice box and feeling around with peaked curiosity.
"Riot, you stay with Charger and... uh..." Thunderwing paused. "Whatever Para turned into... Fuckin' hell... Let's get going, everyone."
"I closed off the stairs that lead down." Hollow began. "So don't worry about the horde coming up."
"Thanks, Hollow." I said softly. At once, Eight's hoof retreated from the vibration my throat offered, and he looked down at it in worry.
I smiled in response.
His lips began to curl into a faint half smile, and he started feeling around his lips with a hoof.
The rest of the group started to leave the room for the hallway. Riot stayed close to the exit, keeping an eye out as he waited on us.
Eight pressed a hoof against my chest as he regarded me. Soon after, he put that same hoof to his own chest, feeling his heartbeat. He smiled a little more, before nuzzling my chest and breathing in again.
I pressed my lips against the top of his head and placed a soft kiss before speaking softly, but loud enough that he could hear me.
"We're gonna have to leave soon, Eight."
He looked up at me, and I down at him, all while he stayed glued to my chest. He seemed mildly worried.
"It could get dangerous..." I brushed a hoof past his ear as he stayed there. "I need you to stay close to me... Can you do that?"
He didn't nod, nor did he shake his head. Instead, he wrapped both arms around me tight. I... think that was a yes?
Shortly after, he let go and stood rather close to my side, looking at me and smiling faintly. Occasionally, I caught him running a hoof across his lips, curious on how they felt.
Guess that was a yes.
"Riot." I looked back at my security. "Possible to teleport us to the rest of my group?"
He deadpanned. "What did I say earlier?"
"Right..." I nodded. "Well, I suppose we'll just have to hoof it then. They can't be too far from us." I waved a hoof at him as I approached the exit. "Lead the way. I'll keep an eye on Petiole's tag."
He nodded back, and together, the three of us left the room.
Turning right, the first thing I noticed was that Hollow didn't just block off the stairs to the lower floors... She destroyed them. There was nothing left! As if they never existed in the first place, much like the hole she carved into the ceiling of the second floor!
The music started to get louder again as we stepped out into the main hall. The beat was changing, as was the voice. It was a lot more distorted.
Eight looked around curiously.
I turned left and followed Riot down the empty corridor. Thankfully, I didn't see any ferals on this floor. It still reeked of decay, but it seemed the majority of the ones that were previously up here had gone down to the second floor. The few that lingered had crushed skulls.
I didn't hear any gunshots in the time Riot and I were in the apartment unit, so I naturally assumed Hollow put her zebra fighting skills to good use when she went to take care of the stairs...
Eight continuously sniffed at the air, and his face went sour as he looked at me.
"I know... Just try and ignore it..." I patted him on the head carefully, and he nuzzled my cheek, before looking ahead, still scrunching his muzzle in disgust for the scent. "Hey..." I looked over at him, and he glanced back at me. "There's some lemons in the pockets of the jacket you're wearing..." I pointed at the jacket, to which he looked down at his apparel. "I'm going to need you to throw them at whatever I tell you to, whenever I say. Can you do that?"
He reached into one of the pockets, pulled out a lemon, sniffed it curiously, then scrunched his muzzle again, shaking his head hard as he looked at me. He held it out to me after.
I gave a resigned sigh before emptying his pockets of the lemons. Of course he wasn't going to...
Guns started blazing from the floor above us. I caught a glimpse of our allies through all the red on my E.F.S., but it was much too difficult to keep track of them and stay on guard. The point was that they were in trouble again. We needed to catch up to them, and fast.
Eight seemed panicked. I put a hoof on his shoulder and looked into his eyes. "I'm gonna need you to run with me. Okay?"
He nodded hesitantly, then looked down at his hooves, still puzzled by their shape.
"You can't run...?"
He looked back up at me and tilted his head from side to side.
I released an exasperated sigh and shook my head hard. "Fine. Just... Just get on my back. We don't have time..."
He nodded before carefully climbing onto my back. Fuck, he was a lot heavier than I thought... But I was still able to carry his weight, only slightly slowed down from it. Riot and I moved for the stairs to the upper floors with haste, and at once, the music picked up to a much heavier, louder beat.
Upon reaching the fourth floor, we ran down the corridor to our group on the other end, blasting away at a few ferals that were running out of some of the apartment units that were left with no doors. On our way through the corpse-littered hallway, I noticed the bodies were starting to reanimate... and get back up...
Fuck... I forgot...
Radiation healed ghouls...
As I ran, I sprayed down the ferals ahead of us with lead, having them drop again, so that we weren't blocked off and overwhelmed. Riot began covering our six as the resurrected began chasing us.
Eight clung tight around my neck, but I paid him no mind. My primary focus was getting all of us out of here... alive. I wasn't going to have anyone die on my watch.
We caught up to the rest of the group, and at once, I spun around, assisting Riot in clearing our tail of the ferals. They weren't going to stay down with the amount of radiation here, but it stalled them, and every second we bought ourselves was worth it.
I spat the bit out and looked back at Hollow. "It would have been useful if Tuner told us which unit it was, before we showed up! At least we'd be up there and not here!"
"No." Hollow shook her head, looking back at me. "It wouldn't. My system doesn't respond well to lethal radiation levels. We would have glitched out and fell to our death, if I tried teleporting us to a higher level. Ground teleportation was the safest bet."
"Some bet." Petiole replied softly.
"Let's move!" Thunder shouted just as the last feral dropped ahead of them. Some of the others were already starting to reanimate...
Suddenly, the same beat started to get more electronic, and the song was a little faster now.
We all pushed up the next flight of stairs to the fifth floor which, thankfully, was clear of any hostiles. At least, in the corridor. I wasn't so sure about the units.
The team began reloading their guns, but I kept the old magazine in my gun. There was still quite a bit left inside, and it wasn't worth reloading.
"Five floors up, and I'm not finding anything worth of value..." Tezu muttered.
"We haven't really been looking... We don't really have the time..." I stated, then looked over my shoulder. "Tuner, give us the locations where the valuables are at. We don't have a whole lot of time to kill to go searching for it ourselves..." Our pipbucks constant reminder of the radiation dosage we were getting was only making me more and more worried by the second... And I was starting to get a warm, fuzzy feeling in my body... My brain felt fuzzy!
I took a quick glance at my geigercounter. I was about halfway there to reaching the first stage of radiation poisoning, according to the system.
"There's a jackpot of chems in P-21." Tuner began. "And there's a small stash in my unit. In the other building, there's a decent stash of canned food that might sell for a bit, not to mention the alcohol collection that the previous tenants made. That'd be in room X-2. Other than that, everything else is garbage."
"Wait, other building?" Blaze raised a brow. "We don't have time for another building!"
"Agreed." I filled in. "We have no choice but to leave the food and alcohol behind. With all the radiation here, chances are its value has dropped to nothing, now."
"This floor is clear." Hollow said after a short while of staring down the corridor, looking around from left to right. "No hostiles. Everyone should do an inventory check on themselves."
At once, we quickly began to check our ammo, Rad-Aways, Rad-x, and health potions. I was still down to one potion, which was stored in my pipbuck for immediate use later, should I ever have needed it.
As for magazines, I had about three and three quarters left. Rad-Away; a few pouches left. Same went for Rad-x.
As everyone checked their inventory, I quickly began loading some ammo into two empty mags, emptying my first box of bullets entirely. If it wasn't for the depot, I'd have been down to my hooves.
... And, well... I was no zebra when it came to hoof to hoof combat...
Not like Hollow...
Smoke was starting to rise from the lower floors, and a heat began to grow beneath.
"We need to get out of here fast..." Thunderwing muttered.
Once everyone else finished up their checks, we continued moving down the littered corridors of the D floor, before meeting the end and advancing up the stairs to the sixth level. The E floor.
On our way up, Petiole muttered to himself. "Whoever built these apartments had no idea what they were doing with the stairs..."
"Hope they got fired..." Riot muttered back.
"Tell me about it..." Tuner filled in through the radio.
The sixth floor was just as empty as the fifth, and so in a manner of maybe 20 seconds or so of us running down the corridor upon Hollow's verification, we were on the seventh.
Eighth.
And then ninth.
At least Petiole was running with us, for once. I guess the radiation was helping him move faster after all.
By the tenth floor, we ran into ferals again. Not like the horde downstairs, but enough to have us stop dead in our tracks and start unleashing a wave of lead, lasers, and fire upon them as they screamed and howled once they turned to see us.
More jumped out from units with doors that were left open or off their hinges, but they were soon dealt with, upon foolishly revealing themselves to us.
Thankfully, the noise of heavy rain, thunder, and the roar of ferals out on the streets helped cover our gunfire for those that we left behind downstairs. I wasn't hearing or seeing any of them come up after us, which allowed for all of us to focus on the front.
Even then, I did well to keep our six in check. I didn't completely trust leaving our back exposed like that.
By the eleventh floor, after disposing of the few ferals that staggered in the hallways, and disposed of the few more that ran out to the gunfire after, we quickly downed our next packet of Rad-Away, took some more Rad-x, disposed of them again once they tried regenerating, and kept up our marathon.
I was with Petiole, Riot, and Tuner on this one... Whoever built these stairs were a fucking dumbass! I wish I could have gone back in time, just to beat the hell out of them for this!
Hollow glanced up for a moment before stepping up on the stairs to the next floor. "Larger group of ferals are on the next floor. Prepare yourselves."
"How are you knowing this stuff?" Destrier asked, regarding her as we climbed.
"I can see through obstacles." She replied simply, before turning the corner and firing her cannon down the corridor of the 12th floor, cutting away at them.
There was a series of screams and howls down the hall, and at that moment, we all took Hollow's side, dropping the incoming horde like flies.
About half of this floor was covered in them. Why there were some larger contingents on certain floors was beyond my understanding. I didn't know much about ferals. Or regular ghouls, for that matter. Only what I was told by other ponies.
As we unleashed our firepower on the crowd, more ferals came out from the open units; as they had with many of the previous floors. The ones closest to us became top priority.
A few doors down from us, a few more ferals came out, dressed in riot gear. At once, everyone focused their attention on them, but their barding was helping keep them protected from the bullets and fire as they charged us.
Flame retardant, armored ferals were way ahead of the front lines!
Fluky fired a mortar at them, knocking them back momentarily upon the explosion of bright, multiple colored lights. But it wasn't keeping them down for good. That launcher was only good for staggering our opponents... Not much else.
Even then, it was still helping a lot.
As they began their hasty recovery, I reached into my pouch, pulled out a lemon, and chucked it between the three. In a splash of lethal citrus, their armor began to melt away, but it was taking time to eat through the barding. I peppered the armor of the closest one with my magazine, trying to weaken it faster.
The rest of the group was pushing forward, and with all of us focusing on the armored ghouls, we were only screwing ourselves over.
Some of the team redirected their fire at the regular ferals, while I stayed focused on the riot ponies. There were only three here, but there were probably more wandering the upper floors. This was a game changer...
By the time lead chewed through the sizzling riot gear ahead of me and dropped the wearer, the other two were face to face with me.
One pounced on me before I could get a shot in, and the other went after Eight, who worked his mouth tirelessly as he struggled with his hooves to run away. He wasn't used to being in a pony body, evidently.
I felt the feral on top of me beat against my back, but my armor did well to protect me from the hits. It hurt, but I wouldn't have called it lethal at that point.
The song changed to a more heavy guitar shred again. I don't know what game Tuner was playing, but it was kinda helping motivate me... Each song he was playing was mixing with each other, so the music never really stopped.
Gritting my teeth, I rolled onto my back. In doing so, I knocked it off my back and got on top of it, tearing its helmet off.
However, in the process of doing so, I had ripped off all the wrinkly, bare hide that had been their face and scalp, revealing to me a big red, patch of coagulated blood and muscle. The hide I had accidentally ripped off was still inside the helmet, glued to the interior.
I shook myself from the surprise and slammed the head gear against its skinned face as it thrashed at me, not letting up without a fight. I did it again, screaming this time. It's muzzle started to cave in a little.
Again, with rage on my breath.
Again, with fire in my veins.
Again, with hate in my heart.
The music was growing muffled as I beat it mercilessly.
I threw the helmet to the side, and looking down, I saw him.
The one and only Bristle.
The anger inside boiled further, spilling over and flooding. The electricity of my hoof caused him to jolt around, losing control of his own nervous system as he was being fried alive.
I slammed a forehoof hard against his flattened muzzle, screaming again.
"DIE! JUST FUCKING DIE, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"
I paid no mind to my surroundings. Nothing else mattered.
"YOU STUPID SHITHEAD! JUST FUCKING DIEEEEEee!" I felt my voice give out as hot, angry tears streamed down my face.
"CHARGER!" A female voice spoke beside me, and I looked over to see Thunderwing at my side, staring deep into my eyes.
The rest of the group, Hollow excluded, looked at me in concern and worry. No guns fired.
The corridor was littered with corpses of ferals. Soon, they were gonna get back up, and we were gonna be back at it with trying to hold the line.
I looked down at the ghoul I had gotten on top of to see their brain was now exposed to the open and mashed. Their face was no more.
I shuddered and hugged myself as I sat on my haunches, closing my eyes. "L-let's keep... keep moving..."
"Are you okay...?" I felt a wing caress my hoof, but I shrugged it away.
"I'm... I'm fine." I opened my red, teary eyes again, sobbing uncontrollably. "I'm fine. Let's just move."
Thunderwing stared silently in concern for a long while, before finally nodding. "Right..."
I looked back at Eight, who was shaking next to Petiole, looking at me in fear.
I scared him...
"Tuner..." I called out, wiping my eyes free of the tears... and getting irradiated blood on my face in the process...
"Yeah, boss?"
"Get him out here... We're gonna need him."
"A-Are you sure about that? Do you even know what you're-"
"I said do it." I snapped, glaring at the radio. "We need him."
"... As you wish..."
Thunderwing and Destrier looked me over, and the pegasus began.
"Who are we bringing out here?"
"It's best if you don't know..." Petiole muttered.
The body that Eight occupied dropped in an instant, and drool leaked onto the floor. Within a few seconds, he blinked, and Happy stood up, wiping the drool off his lip and grinning. His eyes were on mine.
"Hello again, Charger."
"Enough." I turned to the others. "All of you go on. I'll be right behind you."
Destrier nodded to me. "Don't be long."
I nodded back, then turned to Happy once more.
"I know why I'm here." He stated, refusing to turn away. "What makes you think I'd help you with this?"
"Because you want my help. You help us stay safe, and I'll help you. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. No tricks. I hate to say it, but I need you..." I looked down at his hooves, ashamed... But it was true. We couldn't take them all on, and Tuner said that taking Happy on was a death sentence. So if that were true, then we needed him on our side...
He gently laid a hoof under my chin to lift my head up, looking me in the eye once more with a soft smile. "When you put it like that, how could I refuse?" He started to walk past me, and as he did, nuzzled my neck. Shortly after, I received a smack from his tail to my face.
Plegh...
Damn it, he smelled nice...
I spun around and trotted up to his side, looking at him as he walked happily down the corridor with that dance in his movement, after the rest of the team.
"I need you to promise me that you won't harm any of them..." I made a gesture to my friends and allies ahead of us. "Or I'll have Tuner put you back in the battery, and bring someone else out instead."
I really hoped he was buying that bluff...
Some of the others in the battery might have been useful, but not on Happy's level. I got a small taste of what he could do, back at Virtue, when he snagged the radio from me. I needed someone with that skill for this mission, and I didn't think the others had that.
He looked back at me with that wicked grin of his. "I don't harm. I am a savior."
"Happy, I mean it." I started glaring as my hoof crackled. "Don't touch. Anyone. Only defend them from the ferals."
"Okay, cap-i-tan." He mockingly saluted me, but continued. "I promise."
He better have lived up to his word, too...
We started to climb the next flight of stairs, and he resumed once more, as if he had read my mind.
"My word is my bond."
Okay, that was a little more reassuring. But I still had my eye on him.
I didn't very much appreciate the idea of trusting a serial killer.
He reached into my pouch and pulled out a box of ammo and one of the dual sided mags. Curiosity on mind, I watched until I found him restocking it with the bullets. Quite fast, I might add.
Huh... That was incredibly helpful.
Thunderwing started to push forward up the stairs, stumbling a bit. Hollow stopped.
"Wait. Get back."
Thunder looked back at her for a moment, and at once, a feral rammed her into the wall, immediately tearing into one of her wings as she cried out.
Destrier quickly blasted the head off the target with a single shot from the caliber gun on his side, and the body fell.
Thunderwing panted, looking down at it as she flexed her wing a bit. She cried out from the pain in her open nerves and reached into her saddle bags, pulling out a health potion after. She bit the cork, ripped it off the neck of the bottle, spat it out, and started chugging until there was nothing left. Her wing regenerated, and once the bottle was emptied, she tossed it to the side, letting it shatter against the floor.
"Let's... keep moving..." She shook her head, as if she were in a daze, then kept pushing.
"The radiation is effecting your mind." Hollow stated. "Take some Rad-Away. You're at a dangerous level."
"I'm fine."
"I'm not asking."
She sighed as she hung her head, looked back, and pulled out a packet. "This is my last one." She stated, before gulping down the contents. She gagged a bit from the taste, but kept most of it down, regardless. She dropped the empty packet and looked back at me, smiling faintly. "Better than tentacles?"
"A little." I replied with a faint smirk. "Let's go."
She nodded back, and we continued to move as one unit.
There were two ferals at the end of the hall, but before they realized what hit them, Petiole and Hollow dropped them. From there, we began running once more. There weren't any ferals in the units on this floor, thankfully.
The next level had about ten roaming the hallway. I and the rest of the team with guns laid down a heavy fire at the incoming wave. There was only one with riot armor on here. But it was quickly disintegrated to red ash from Hollow's beam cannon. The rest was left to us.
"I'm dry!" Riot shouted as he raised the barrels of his shotguns to the ceiling. He pulled out some shells as he fell back from the front lines. "Need to reload!"
Everyone resumed firing at the horde before them, until Riot shouted once more. "Incoming on our six!"
I spun my head around to see more ferals climbing up the stairs after us.
Fuck!
I turned back toward the attention at the front lines for a second. Most of them were down at that point, but some were starting to get back up. The rest of the team had this under control.
I spun back around to our rear to find Happy was already beating them bloody against walls and spinning around their bodies like an acrobat, before throwing them to the ground, crushing skulls and crippling limbs. His hat landed on the floor beside the fight.
Riot and I both stared in awe as he jumped towards a wall, pushed himself off it, and flew over a feral that was on his tail with one backflip motion. He neatly landed behind them, pulled them back, and snapped their neck as they thrashed around.
Afterwards, he chucked the body down the stairs, knocking several others down that were about to come up.
Riot quickly shook himself from the astonishment that show brought, then resumed reloading his drums with shells, before slamming them into the bottom of his two shotguns and cocking them.
I wasn't hearing any more climb up the stairs, and he didn't seem too worried about it as he looked down at them.
Fucker was smiling...
From there, he grabbed his stetson off the ground, dusted it off, placed it atop his head and grinned as he tilted the brim of his hat to me a little.
Wow... That was... impressive. We had two Hollows here. Or two Happy's. Both were kinda terrifingly awesome... and could also prove as a problem later. I still didn't know much about Hollow. I didn't know anything about her.
The gunfire behind me stopped, and I turned around to see the ferals were down.
"Let's move!" I shouted, before charging ahead.
The beat slowly changed to a different, heavy melody. The voice was distorted and scratchy, but as all the other songs, it was a good means of motivation.
But looking back, the ferals... and my team... huh... that was odd...
Thunderwing and Hollow followed on both sides of me as we bolted down the corridor, stepping over the corpses that were going to get back up in less than a minute.
The next floor had a few stragglers. As we ran, Thunderwing vaporized a few heads before reloading. Some began to run out of the open units, but Happy flipped over Petiole and pinned the ghoul to the ground that was about to rip Fluky off his back, delivering a series of fast paced, bone shattering hits along the spine of the ghoul, therefore paralyzing its body and rendering it useless.
It was going to regenerate, but it might have taken a bit longer.
The others that ran out of the other units were quickly eliminated by Destrier's cannon as we continued our hasty push for the upper floors. We had wasted enough time as it was.
We were now on the N level of the tower. The 15th floor.
The corridor ahead was empty. But halfway across, we started to hear a variety of hooves running along the floor above us. Their shouts and howls were more distinct up here, due to how far we were from the ground.
The lot of us stopped, and I pushed Thunderwing into the open unit beside her, following after.
"Everyone, in!" I hissed as I looked over my shoulder.
One by one, they rushed in.
"Hurry, guys!" Blaze said quickly, standing next to me as we watched our team enter the unit.
Thunderwing was checking the place out for any hostiles, but the coast seemed clear.
As Hollow stepped inside in her calm, careless manner, she gently closed the door behind her and locked it, then turned to us, putting a hoof to her respirator.
I looked over at the glowing radio on Happy, snatched it from him, and worked the volume dial in desperate attempts to turn down the music. It wasn't working, fuck!
I got a few weird looks from the others, but no one said anything.
We all stayed quiet as the various sets of hooves ran down the corridor, and the snarling and growling grew in volume. Through the massive red patch on my E.F.S., I could still see a wave of even more red sway from left to right, across the bottom of my vision.
They were passing us. They didn't see us go in...
How were they not hearing this music!? It was loud!
Hollow quietly stepped away from the door and moved for the hall of this unit. As she passed me, she whispered in my ear.
"Follow."
She stood up on her hind legs again as she walked down the hall, and took the charges out of her chest once more, tossing them around from hoof to hoof.
I still couldn't understand how she was walking like that...
I followed her, and the rest of the team followed me.
We entered a master bedroom, and once everyone was inside, she closed the door behind us and pushed the bed in front of it, barricading us in.
"Just in case." She whispered, before reaching up and placing the three charges on the ceiling. "This gets loud."
The room was crowded to the point where we were pretty much pressed up against each other.
On my left, Happy was squeezed up against my side, grinning at me. His tail wrapped around mine.
To my right, Petiole was muttering to himself about personal space as he was pressed up against my side. Destrier was on his other side, squishing him against me. Fluky was the only one with the most room, and even then, that wasn't a whole lot.
The three charges that were displayed as a triangle on the ceiling began to light up, and yellow, glowing lines connected them to each other as the ceiling began to burn away into ash.
There was that electric hum from earlier, followed by the weird synthesized snapping sound.
Sure enough, I could hear ferals trying to tear through the front door of this unit.
"Shouldn't be too much longer." Hollow stated, keeping her eyes on the ceiling that began to slowly disintegrate before us.
Flakes of ash from the ceiling snowed down on us as we waited quietly for our escape plan to come through.
The front door was smashed down into splinters, and the rapid hoofsteps grew closer.
"Shit..." Tezu muttered.
After a few seconds, the snarling was right outside the door, and hooves banged violently against the wooden structure, trying to break in.
The ceiling received a perfect triangle for a hole, and Hollow reached up once more, grabbing the charges that waited along the edges and inserting them into her chest again.
"Thunderwing." I called out. "You're up."
She quickly nodded, grabbed Fluky, and lifted her up through the hole with ease. She hastily came back down for the next one; Tezu.
One by one, she lifted us up to the 16th floor.
The ferals were already breaking through, but the bed was helping keep them at bay for the time being. Destrier and I lifted it on its side, offering more support and buying us a little more time. We pressed our weight against it, hoping it would hold for a bit longer. I felt a bit of a tug against my tail when I moved for the bed, but thankfully, Happy didn't tie us together.
This wasn't a time for jokes...
"An extra pair of wings would have been nice..." Thunderwing panted heavily as she came back down to lift Petiole up.
He shrugged her off before she could lift him off the ground. "No. I'm a ghoul. They won't attack me. I'll take the stairs once they get through."
She quickly nodded, then went for Destrier.
I was the last one here, apart from Petiole, who took my side at the door.
As Thunderwing lifted Destrier through the hole, the door was broken through, and ferals pushed against the bed, trying to get to me.
Petiole did all he could to keep the bed on its side, but there were too many for him to deal with, in terms of strength.
I backed away and began firing a fully automatic clip at them as they charged at me, climbing over, under, and around the bed to get to me.
Petiole fired what he had in his sniper, but there was no other way out of this but up, and my ride was still lifting Desty up.
I was quickly cornered.
They threw me to the ground, pinned me, beat me, and started tearing through my armor. The space between my helmet and my barding left my neck bare, so that was their first target.
I felt teeth sink into the hide of my neck from both sides, tearing and pulling. I couldn't scream. But I really wanted to...
I felt my blood spray out at them as I became their meal. They devoured relentlessly...
And the worst part?
I was still alive to feel it all.
I was still awake...
I felt the pain with every waking moment, yet I wasn't blacking out. I wasn't dying... There was no darkness coming to take me...
At this point, I wanted it to...
My throat was ripped out and consumed. My black blood poured from my wounds as I laid there, unable to move.
As time went on, more ferals came to join in the feast. Ripping through my armor and eating their fill.
My hoof. My side. My back. My flank.
And all the while, I lied there, tears streaming down my face as black dripped from my lips.
"Cha-" Petiole began his violent coughing.
"CHARGER!" Thunderwing shouted, before shooting at all the ghouls around me. Petiole joined her, and soon after, I heard gunfire from the others.
Once I felt a little less pressure around me, she swept in, lifted me off the ground by my hooves, and strained herself in bringing me to the 16th floor.
I kept my head down as my arms raised up.
One of the many remaining ferals latched onto my rear hoof, biting deep. Petiole drove a round through its head, causing it to fall to the bedroom floor.
"Get up here." Hollow said calmly, to which Petiole nodded and walked out of the feral-infested room.
I was laid down on my stomach of the 16th floor, and everyone gathered around me.
"Is he dead?" Blaze asked.
I shook my head slightly and rolled over on my side, looking up at them.
"Holy shit..." Everyone backed away from me as Riot muttered.
Happy threw a pebble at him, to which he scowled at the killer.
I felt something moving around in my neck. Something... that didn't belong.
And why was I starving, all of a sudden...?
"I'll be back." Hollow stated. "I have to get Petiole up here and destroy the stairs."
"Good idea." Thunder panted, looking down at me. She approached me warily and looked down at my neck. "He... he has..." She backed up again. "There's a tentacle in his throat..."
Was that what it was...? Ugh...
I felt my voicebox start to come back from the health potion in my pipbuck, but it was taking all of it just to restore a portion on my neck.
Finally, I gasped and spoke with great strain to my dry, dead voice. "Need... more... health... puh..."
Destrier quickly nodded and took out a potion. He pressed the opening to my blackened lips and tilted it carefully, allowing me to drink at my own pace.
By the time it was done, my entire neck was healed, and some of the openings in my body had closed up for good.
"I need... another..." I replied, looking back at the gaping hole torn into my flank... and my cutiemark... My... cutiemark...
I closed my eyes, laid my head back down, and began to sigh, but before I could exhale, I felt another bottle press against my lips. I spurted for a second out of surprise, but began drinking immediately after.
"Your armor is shredded..." Blaze said softly.
I nodded a little, still drinking.
"It's all he has." Destrier replied. "There's still some decent protection in some areas. He should keep it on. At least until we get out of here."
"I'm surprised you're still alive, after all that." Tezu stated. "You're one tough S.O.B."
"He's alive cause he's infected." Thunder snapped. "The infected don't die so easily..."
"Unfortunately..." I muttered after the bottle was finished up. The bottle was taken from my lips, and I felt my ass start healing.
I can't believe a bunch of ferals just ate my ass... and my Goddess damned cutiemark... At least I got everything back.
I groaned as I stood up and stretched my limbs. Happy was off to the side, restocking my mags.
"Ahh, fuck..." I arched my back and twisted it in both directions, hearing the satisfying pop of my bones. "Ah, that felt... great..." I sighed, still feeling the tentacle in my throat move around. Apparently it could be seen under my coat as a bulge, cause almost everyone was staring at my neck; most in disgust.
Fuck, I was hungry...
"I hate to say it..." Tezu smirked. "But it is kinda hot..."
Blaze chuckled, nudging him. "You ain't wrong..."
"Yeah, I'm sure yahhHHHHHHH!" At once, that tentacle in my throat slipped out of my mouth, hanging there, out in the open. Everyone quickly backed away, looking on in disgust as it felt around for anything. I stood there, hunched over as a black, oily tendril hung from my mouth, feeling around my muzzle, as it was the only thing it could touch. I could see wisps of shadow and smoke beaming off it.
"Uh, Charger...?" Tezu resumed. "I hate to say it, but it's still kinda hot."
I groaned in frustration as I glared at him. "Yah? Well mahbe ya oughta kiss meh den!" I started for him, and he quickly backed away, pushing Blaze toward me.
"Whoa, no no no! Hell no!" Blaze frantically did his best to escape as I approached.
"No infecting my team, Charger!" Thunderwing shouted, scowling at me.
I stopped and looking at her as the tendril felt around my lips.
At least this one didn't taste awful...
It didn't taste good, either. But it didn't taste bad, really. Not like the previous ones.
A few moments passed before I felt the tendril slide back down my throat and stay deep inside me.
I worked my jaw and looked at the others, finally able to close my mouth.
"Okay... That's the first time it did that. It didn't seem... hostile." I said, confused as to what just happened. I was just as baffled as everyone else!
Hollow came back with Petiole, looking at all of us.
"Good. You're alive."
"He's something..." Thunder murmured, walking past me. "Don't get any funny ideas with that tentacle of yours, Charger. There's only one pony allowed in my back door and mouth, and that's Destrier."
"I don't know what I missed, and I'd like to keep it that way." Hollow said, before turning around and making her way back outside. "The coast is clear."
Petiole took my side once more. "Tentacle...?" He whispered.
"Uh, yeah..." I replied, starting to walk with the team. "A sort of... um... tentacle slipped out of my mouth..."
"Fungal?"
I shook my head. "No... I think this one was that darkness you spoke of."
He nodded slowly, looking at me. "How did it act? Were you able to control it?"
I shook my head again. "I had no control, but it seemed friendly enough. Seemed more on the curious side..."
"Hm... Well... be careful with it. And I'll want a sample later."
I sighed and hung my head down. "Yeah..."
Like everything else I had seen in this tower so far, the living room was in shambles. But I caught a few canned carrots and cinnamon apples slices resting on the table next to an unopened bottle of vodka. Most of the label was torn off, but I saw some of the name. 'DeadHor-' followed by that one delicious word, 'Vodka.'
Fuck, I didn't care that the name started with death. This was worth something to me. Radiation poisoning? Fuck, sure!
I pocketed the bottle and the few canned goods, and proceeded with the rest of the team.
I spotted a magazine on the recliner I passed by along the way, which quickly caught my attention when I saw Happy's face smiling on the cover. I pocketed that too.
I noticed the music had faded. It was still there, just quieter.
I still felt that tentacle deep inside me, wriggling around. I didn't know when it had grown there, but it raised concern. It was a part of me...
"The drug stash is one floor up, right?" Tezu asked, looking around curiously.
I looked at the rusted 'O' on the door across from the one we left as we stepped into the corridor and nodded. "Yeah, I think so."
Hollow nodded calmly. "I made note of what this Tuner character said in regards to the stash. One floor up, room 21." She glanced up, then turned to me. "We won't have any trouble getting there. The next floor seems fine."
Well, that was a relief...
"Let's hoof it, then." I said quickly after taking a deep lungful of rotten air. "I want us out of here as fast as possible."
We began our marathon once more to the stairs that led to the next floor.
The 16th floor was a lot more different than the others, considering the floors that we had ascended prior to this one didn't have a nice, big, gaping hole in the side of the structure.
There was a view of another tower, through all the heavy rain. Lightning lit up the outside frequently, shortly followed by the massive boom of thunder.
The lot of us wasted no time getting to P-21 and stepping inside. There was no door to open, or close for that matter, but that wasn't really a problem.
There were a few suitcases displayed at a coffee table in the living room, and three skeletons around the old furniture; each with a pistol. There were bullet holes all along the two couches, followed by dried blood stains.
"Guessing a deal went south..." Thunder muttered, looking at the skeletons.
Petiole and I took our approach. He investigated one of the bodies as I worked on trying to open the suitcase. It became evident to me that they were locked, unfortunately.
"It needs a..." I started to say as I looked at Petiole, who held a small, metal object in his hoof to me. "... Key... Thanks."
I took the key from him and cracked open the first case to reveal it was filled to the brim with Med-x, Dash, Party Time Mentals, and even healing potions. All in an organized fashion.
Jackpot...
"Start loading this up..." I said as I moved on to the next suitcase, which had the same supply as the former.
As the team got to work on storing the supplies, I opened the third.
This one didn't have drugs.
This was the payment.
A suitcase filled entirely with pre-war bits.
"Petiole..." I glanced up at him. "You and I are carrying this one."
He stepped over to my side and nodded before we divvied it up.
I looked to the others. "I'll make sure we're all paid the same amount when we get out of here. It's only fair."
Thunderwing smiled with an assured nod. "No worries, man."
"We barely have any Rad-Aways, or Rad-x." Destrier stated. "We can't keep climbing floors like this and expect to make it out alive. We need a shortcut."
I nodded quietly as I looked down at my geigercounter. I was already starting to reach the halfway mark. Damn it...
"There's one." Hollow replied softly, looking at a wall. "The fire exit on the side of the building. The catwalk. We can easily climb up the rest of the way from there. But there's a catch."
"Spill." Blaze and Tezu said simultaneously.
"Feral pegasi have taken to the skies."
"We can handle them..." Thunder said quickly.
Hollow nodded slowly. "Very well."
Once everything was packed up, and the extra bullets in the guns from the skeletons were taken, we made a run for the hole in the side of the building.
As Hollow had predicted, there was the fire escape route, still intact... for the most part.
Way up, towards the top of both towers, was a broken radio tower that had fallen off one of the buildings and got wedged between the two structures, forming a bridge between the two.
As we stepped outside, I caught sight of several pegasi flying through the storm in random order, keeping to themselves all the while.
The clicking of our geigercounters began to accelerate, and dread grew on our faces.
"Take another Rad-x." Petiole advised as he stepped up onto the catwalk that led to the stairs carefully. Fluky hopped off his back to stay with us once he gave her a cold, silent look through his visor.
The catwalk went down one level, but after that, it dropped off into a thin cloud of pink that swept along the surface. I could see a pool filled with black water in between the two towers.
Petiole continued. "I'll lead the way."
The lower floors were also set ablaze, and making their way up.
Some of us had a little more to spare in terms of radiation treatment and exposure delay. Some of us were using the last of our supplies.
And some of us had nothing to use, period.
Those of us that had a little more to spare offered what we could to the ones that didn't have anything left to protect them from the relentless bombardment of radiation seeping into their skin and bones.
We were all going to get out of here alive.
But we needed to act fast.
The music started to change as it got louder again.
With all the Rad-x we used this round, we were left with nothing. We had just enough to take care of everyone one last time. And we only had a few packets of Rad-Away left, total.
Petiole began running up the metal stairs with his red LED active. One by one, we followed close behind, charging up the stairs with haste.
Thunderwing flew up with ease, but chose to stay with the rest of the team instead of pushing ahead, like an idiot. Safety in numbers was the best option, after all.
Three floors up, through the heavy gusts of wind at high elevation and the curtain of heavy rain pounding against our frames, I began to notice the airborne pegasi flying straight for us.
"Contact!" I shouted as we pushed up. It was evident we wanted to cover as much ground as we could before they arrived.
"Keep going." Petiole said in a rushed, coughing fit as he stopped and took aim; scoping them out and firing well placed shots to their wings. They began dropping like flies with each individual shot. "I'll be right behind you."
I took lead as we ascended to the 21st floor. My E.F.S. was still covered in red, which really threw me off. There was too much to focus on there. My E.F.S. was useless here. I had to rely on my natural senses.
By the 23rd floor, the remaining ferals that hadn't been shot down had caught up and swept in. One of them had slammed into me and smashed me through a cracked window pane that led into a corridor with a few stumbling ghouls.
It snarled and bit at me, trying to get a meal, before the back of its head was blasted open upon the boom of thunder. It collapsed atop me almost instantly, but the rhythmic blast continued all the same.
I quickly rolled the corpse off of me and looked up to see Destrier, Thunderwing, and Riot side by side as the rest of the team pushed up the emergency stairs, running and gunning the ferals that ran after them. Meanwhile, the three released a storm of bulky lead, buckshot, and laser at the ferals that roamed the hall.
I pulled a lemon out from my satchel and without hesitation, chucked it at the incoming group. There weren't very many, thankfully, so they all went down without any real trouble.
The three of them stopped firing and looked down at me once the threats were eliminated. Riot grinned as he pointed both of his combat shotguns to the ceiling and cocked them. Smoke blew out from both barrels. Destrier's guns started reloading themselves, and Thunderwing nodded to me.
"You good?"
I nodded back before rolling onto my hooves. "Let's dip."
The four of us ran up after our team, which made a pretty great distance in such a short time frame.
They had already made it up to the 25th floor. Where our primary objective sat. Floor X.
They had made it inside safely. I caught a glimpse of Tezu charging back inside the building after the others.
I could still hear Petiole's rifle going off below us, and as we ascended the stairs, I saw incoming pegasi get their wings chewed through, dropping them instantly as they attempted to get to us.
As we climbed the creaking, metal stairs to the 24th floor, one of the ferals had made it to the catwalk and tackled Riot. Ironically, riot armor wrapped around their undead form.
Riot shouted as he toppled back down the stairs and struck the railing, which groaned and rattled the structure we all stood on. 
The pegasus pinned his back against the railing and began beating into his gut and chest rampantly, growling and snarling behind the cloth mask that seemed to be a part of it now.
The telekinetic grip on Riot's guns slipped and fell. One of them landed on the stairs, but the other dropped down into the abyss.
Another ghoul rammed against Thunder and I before we could react to anything, and another attempted getting to Destrier. Before he could drive a hole through its skull, the stairs beneath him gave way, causing the two to fall.
Before I was being bitten and pummeled, I saw his hooves hanging desperately onto the next step.
The pegasus tore into my chest, allowing it to ooze more black. Shortly after, tendrils launched out from me, wrapping around its head and pulling it in.
"AGGGHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed in horror and agony as I felt its head get devoured into my chest, pulling the rest of its body inside me. I could feel it thrash around, eating away at my insides!
... Until it didn't anymore.
Movement ceased from the feral inside me, and as it got pulled further into my body, I felt it start to deteriorate... as if my body was in the process of consumption... Breaking it down.
I felt oily and sick on the inside... Like there was something inside me that didn't belong. There was a lot inside me that didn't belong! Fuck, what just happened!?
Despite the horror and shock... I wasn't starving anymore... I actually felt... stronger.
But I didn't feel right...
My stomach lurched, and I rolled over on my side as its rear hoof disappeared into the oozing black of my chest, only to puke up more black. I gasped and shuddered as I felt the tentacles move around inside me... like they were exploring more of this new territory that was my body.
I got back up on my hooves and looked over at Thunderwing, who was doing her best to keep the feral off of her. More were starting to target her as time went on.
I slipped into SATS and targeted the first ghoul's head, before executing the freak on my friend. It dropped instantly; its rotted brain spilling out the other side of its head.
I switched to full auto and disposed of the others around her, which had begun tearing into her flesh. Once they were downed, I quickly pulled them off her and tossed them over the railing.
She began digging through her saddle bag, shaking and whimpering softly to herself as blood gushed out from her wounds. She started chugging a healing potion from there.
The stair that Destrier had been hanging onto had failed to support his heavy weight, as he wasn't there anymore. Nor was the step. The floor below us had also gone out, it seemed. But I didn't see him anywhere.
"Riot!" Thunder shouted as the ghoul continued beating at him. She aimed her rifles at the feral, but he shouted back.
"I got this one!"
A combat knife swung out of a sheath on his forehoof, wrapped in the aura of his magic. It spun around and dug into the back of the feral's neck, before twisting. The feral dropped, and he took the knife out before shoving it off him. He looked bruised and in pain, but he was alive. He got up and smiled at us, keeping his knife close.
Thunder nodded and tossed his shotgun down to him, which he enveloped in his magic before it could hit the ground.
"Need me to lift you up?" She called out through Petiole's gunfire.
He quickly looked behind us and shook his head; his eyes going wide. "No! Get out of here!" He pointed behind us, before running down to the 22nd floor. Probably to go back for Destrier. Safety in numbers, after all.
Thunderwing and I looked back to see more ferals closing in. We were down to two.
"Come on!" I shouted as I ran inside the 24th floor.
She followed close behind, and I slammed the door shut behind her. The glass pane wasn't going to hold them off, for sure.
Thankfully, this floor was clear of any hostilities, and the stairs up to the next floor were right there. That was convenient.
We climbed up the stairs with haste, and as we made it to the top step, we heard the window shatter behind us.
The two of us spun around at once to see pegasi flying in, coming after us. We began blasting at them.
My magazine went dry after a few seconds, however...
"Fuck, I'm dry!" I shouted as I spat the bit out, looking at Thunderwing. I was starting to reach into my saddle bag for a lemon, until I heard a deep, scratchy voice from behind.
"MOVE."
Thunder and I backed away from the stairs as Tezu and Blaze pressed forward, raining hellfire down on the ferals that ran or flew their way up.
"Get to the unit, so we can get out of here!" Blaze shouted as pillars of fire swept down the stairs. Flesh sizzled, melted, and popped, and the scent was there to prove it...
Thunderwing and I both hoofed it down the corridor, until we came across the rest of our team, waiting at an open door with the label, 'X-2.'
Happy held the radio out to me, grinning all the while. "You'll need Tuner there with you."
"Let's just get this over with." I said sternly as I snatched the radio from him and trotted in. The music started to grow quiet.
"Wait!"
I stopped and looked back at the serial killer, who trotted up to me, ejected the magazine from my gun, and took the box of ammo from my pouch.
"You need a top-off."
I smiled faintly, nodded to him, turned around once more, and continued on my way.
There was a hallway to the left, across the living room, and on the other side was the kitchen.
"It's in my room. Just down the hall." Tuner stated, to which I made my way in that direction. "Last door on the right."
I gently pushed the door open and peeked my head through to find it was empty, save for the same furniture and layout I saw in the room, back in the battery.
Better safe than sorry.
I pushed it open the rest of the way and trotted in, feeling anxious to get out of here. The radiation was piling up into our bodies. I could feel it more and more, and we didn't have enough Rad-Away for everyone...
It was sending my head spinning. I could feel a tingling sensation in my brain and behind my eyes. Fuck...
"Under the bed, in the wall." Tuner instructed.
I pushed the bed aside, groaning softly to myself. My body still ached from being devoured... That hole was still in my chest, but no tentacles were coming out of it, at least. Despite feeling them in my gut...
The wall was left bare, and I looked around curiously. "There's... nothing here, Tuner."
"I built over it. The point was to hide this thing. I didn't want anyone knowing. If it got in the wrong hooves... Anyways, break open the lower wall."
I nodded, then quickly slammed my forehooves against the lower wall, cracking it open with one hit.
"Just like a white boy and his dry wall..." Tuner muttered with a dry chuckle.
I didn't know what that meant, but that wasn't important right now. I didn't have time for inside jokes.
Inside was a small safe with a number pad, and a red light on the top.
"Password?" I raised a brow as I regarded it cooly.
"890152."
I typed it in as he read it to me, and upon hitting enter, the red light flashed to green, the safe clicked, and the door cracked open. I swung it open to find a healing potion, a small metal cube, and some Med-x.
Ah, fuck yeah...
I looked around warily to find I was alone, before snatching the syringe and jamming it into my arm; my eyelids fluttered closed as I injected myself with the medicine. The pain in my body started to cease to sweet nothings.
I sighed with relief and pressed my cheek against the wall, taking in its cold surface against my coat.
"Charger, pull yourself together." Tuner snapped. "I didn't bring you up here to get high."
"Fuckin' junkie..." Four filled in.
I shook my head hard and opened my eyes, looking back down at the safe. "Right... Alright... Am I looking for something in particular?"
"The metal cube. Take it."
I quietly slid it out and held it close, examining each side. "Seriously...? What the hell is this, Tuner? I thought I was getting a weapon. Not a puzzle!"
"I'll explain later, when everyone is safe. But right now you need to move."
I nodded quickly, snatched the health potion, gulped it down to patch the gaping hole in my chest, then pocketed the cube and charged out of the room, running through the living room and back into the corridor.
"Did you get it?" Thunderwing asked quickly.
"Yeah, let's get out of he-" I started to say as Happy gave me a full double-sided magazine and a half empty box of spare bullets.
"SHIT!" Blaze shouted as they stopped burning away at the corpses.
"RUN!" Destrier shouted as heavy hooffalls made their way up the stairs... Followed by what sounded like...
The music started to pick up again, and with a new beat.
With haste, I slammed the mag into my gun and cocked my rifle, before turning to Hollow. "Any chance you can destroy another set of stairs?" I shoved the box of ammo back in my pouch.
"Not with the time we have." She pushed me down the corridor to the right side, where the stairs ascended. "Climb."
Blaze and Tezu had both taken Destrier's advice on the running, as they had quickly bolted past us. Destrier and Riot followed shortly after.
As we all ran for the stairs, a heavy guitar blasted. One glance behind us, and I knew right then we didn't stand a chance. We were low on ammo, potions, and things to keep us safe from the radiation.
A stampede of ferals pushed down the corridor after us, snarling and growling hungrily for their next meal.
We hastily ascended to the next floor, charging down the corridor, back to the right side of the building. On the other end was the radio tower that had been lodged between the two structures.
Ferals stumbled in the hallway before we made an appearance. One of them was glowing green. Shit!
They turned and looked, screeching as they began to charge us.
Before one of them could get very far, the back of their skull was burst open from the round of a sniper. As it dropped, I caught a familiar suit of armor lined with a red LED in the distance, standing along the edge of the other tower, on the other end of the bridge.
Hollow's cannon fired its red beam forward, cutting through the necks of several of the ghouls ahead of us, while making its way to the glowing one. The beam started to eat away at its head, but it didn't get very far before disappearing for a cool down. A fraction of the ghoul's head was entirely missing, exposing a green, half chewed through brain, and bare, undead muscle. Yet it was still coming at us.
I directed my attention to the glowing one, as did a few others around me, while the rest of us focused on our front and rear. Petiole was dropping one with each shot, but the time between them almost made it meaningless.
Fluky launched a mortar at the ferals ahead of us, and upon impact with the glowing one, it burst into a variety of blinding, bright, flashing colors and explosions that made my ears ring. The ghouls were knocked over from the shockwave, but they only started getting up mere seconds after the fact.
Fire began dancing around the room. Growing, as it had been on the lower floors. The smoke had managed to make its way up here in short notice, making it harder to breathe.
Fluky began loading another mortar into the tube, then snapped it shut as she spun around, only to launch the projectile at the feral mob behind us.
Hopefully that stalled them for a little while.
I noticed that Riot hadn't fired his shotgun ever since he came back up with us. In fact, his combat knife was attached to the end, like a bayonet.
The glowing one got up first, and at once, looked up at the ceiling, howling as the green glow emanating off it grew brighter. My pipbuck clicked rapidly, and I felt my insides killing themselves.
All the ferals that had been dropped began getting up again.
At once...
"We don't have time for this!" Thunderwing shouted as she thankfully disintegrated one of them with her laser rifles. She stopped for a quick reload. "We need to get out of here!" She spun towards Hollow. "How long till we can teleport!?"
"Not yet." Hollow stated simply. "Another fifteen minutes, top."
"Fuck!"
Pebble.
"We don't have fifteen minutes!" Riot blurted as he lodged the knife into the skull of a feral, digging into its brain. He jolted the shotgun back shortly after, readying himself for the next one to get close.
Fluky began using the pistol I gave her finally. Most of her shots were complete misses, unfortunately. But she managed to place a few shots to the heads of her targets.
Hollow's beam cut through the majority of the ferals that had gotten back up, leaving them in twos as we charged forward again. She and Happy both proceeded to take the remaining few out through bone shattering hits with their uncanny skill in close quarter combat. Seeing them move like that was just... surreal. I couldn't get over it.
With the path ahead now cleared, the lot of us pushed forward, before the fire could block us in.
We stopped at the makeshift bridge, and Petiole began focusing his attention on the skies, lowering our threat from the pegasi that remained outside.
The bridge creaked and groaned in protest from the gusts of wind and pounding of rain... and what seemed to now be hail.
Destrier assisted Petiole in neutralizing some threats that started to swoop down to take us, but after some carefully placed shots to the head or wings - some of which were complete misses anyways - he turned to Thunder. "After this belt, I'm down to my ho-" He was suddenly interrupted with the roll of thunder.
Riot was out of shotgun shells, and Destrier was on his last belt.
"I'll go first." I said, stepping onto the unstable structure as Destrier and Thunder fired up at the pegasi that started to close in. I carefully balanced on the biggest metal bar that the broken radio tower had to offer, which, thankfully, meant walking one straight line. Looking down, I saw the fires were getting dangerously close to our floor. There were even some explosions here and there that I must have shrugged off as rolls of thunder, before this moment.
About a quarter way across, I glanced back to see Blaze and Tezu start making their way on.
Destrier's gun went dry, and Thunderwing just loaded a new set of microfusion cells within her rifles. Hollow offered some backup with her cannon whenever she could, but it wasn't too often. It wasn't enough.
The ferals that had chased us up to this floor kept running through the fires that spread along the corridor, burning themselves to a crisp and having them fall to their death, but they were going to be getting back up shortly...
I kept pushing forward, but the pegasi were getting a lot closer now. I occasionally made a brief stop, lined up my shots, and fired at the closest ones until they dropped, then continued on my way until another got too close.
Blaze and Tezu stayed close by each other as they followed behind me. Riot was behind them from a distance, as we didn't want too much weight in one area of the bridge, in fear of it collapsing.
Lightning flashed the sky to white, casting the feral pegasi in dark silhoettes as they bolted for us.
I began peppering the attackers for a short moment, before my gun clicked on dry. From that moment on, I ejected the mag and, in a state of panic, dropped it. My heart pounded in my chest as it clattered along the metal bar I stood on.
With a short sigh of relief, I went to retrieve it, but only kicked it off the bar instead, watching it plummet down into the pink cloud below.
FUCK!
There was still a full thing of ammo in the other mag! DAMN IT!
I desperately sought for a fresh mag from my saddle bag as the horde grew closer. Rifle fire roared from Petiole's position, and laser fire from behind.
Before I knew it, Thunder had taken to the skies, providing aerial support. Many of the ferals had diverted their attention to her as she soared through the strong wings, maintaining balance to her flight all the while. She made it look easy.
She charged for the ferals that went after me and the others on the bridge, blasting red beams of disintegrating death at our invaders.
If her guns didn't do the trick, she'd dash to the left or right just before hitting them. Even then, her guns seemed to catch their attention, as they began going after her, among the vast flock of pegasi on her tail.
I finally managed to find a fresh magazine in my pouch, pulled it out, and slammed it home before cocking my rifle and switching the semi-auto to help preserve ammo.
"AHHH, NOOO!" Blaze screamed from behind desperately.
I swung my head back just in time to see Tezu falling off the bridge, knocked off by a feral that tried digging into his scales with their teeth. Blaze caught his claw with a hoof just in time, but in doing so, slipped and fell. His mid-section stayed glued to the bar as he hung on tight to Tezu, who remained quiet.
He calmly knocked the feral off and watched as it plummeted down to the pink. Looking back up into his lover's eyes, he smiled faintly and began to flap his wing, but as he did, more latched onto him and began ripping into it. He groaned and winced, before shouting.
"BRING IT ON, FUCKERS!"
I started to hastily make my way back to them, but the bridge creaked and groaned in protest, just before shifting to one side.
I slipped and fell, but my flailing arms managed to grab a hold of the bar I was once standing on. The wet, slippery bar that I couldn't hold on to much longer.
I tried to pull myself up, but the armor and inventory that I carried on me made it much more difficult. I was being pulled down...
In these final moments, where time struck once more, all I could do was watch.
Thunderwing flew past, eyeing the situation between Blaze and Tezu. Blaze sent two torrents of flame over the dragon, burning off the ferals that tried getting through his scales.
As he did, some of the other pegasi took notice to their helplessness and swept in.
"BLAZE, LOOK OU-" I shouted before the bridge shifted again. I nearly lost my grasp on the metal bar.
He had still heard me, even though most of my voice had been drowned out by the thunder, cause he stopped burning at Tezu's body to look behind him, still clinging tight to his lover.
At once, several pegasi pushed him off the bar in an attempt to tackle, causing them both to plummet to their untimely demise.
"FUCK, NOOO!" Thunderwing shouted as she swept in for both.
Before she could reach Blaze, a few ferals had intercepted her, knocking her against the catwalk we had been on earlier. The entire structure rattled and shook as they tried gnawing at her.
As they both plummeted, a few ferals swept in and grabbed Blaze, just before hitting the water in the pool, almost getting a taste of the pink. Tezu, however, went in.
And I wasn't seeing him come back up...
Blaze screamed as the ferals pulled and tugged in opposite directions. Within a matter of seconds, blood pooled out from his lips as his torso stretched.
Just as Tezu burst from the surface of the pink and black water, crying out in agony as his eyes were glued shut, and pink emerged from his muzzle, Blaze was ripped apart along the torso, spilling blood and guts over his lover. His blood and intestines coated Tezu as he roared; the innards of Blaze fusing into his body. Some of it had even went down his throat as he screamed, trying to get out of the pool.
His body began to swell from the mixture of radiation and the pink, making it harder for him to move... or live.
Other ferals jumped out from the water and pulled him under. Upon contact, they began melding into him, unable to pull away.
His throat swelled, and his voice grew short into choking sounds. Desperate for air to get into his now poisoned lungs. But the ferals continued to pull him under the tainted water, joining him and gluing to his body.
That was the last I saw of him...
Blaze's two halves were being consumed by the ferals that had ripped him apart, all the while.
The bridge jolted again, causing me to lose more grip on the bar I clung to.
Fuck...
I had just gotten them both killed... Damn it, no! FUCK, WHY!?
I looked up at the stormy skies, tears burning at my eyes and mixing in with the heavy rain droplets that soaked my coat. "WHY!?" I screamed as thunder rolled across the flashing, raging skies. "WHY THEM!? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!?" I bawled as my grip loosened on the bar. "Fuck..." I muttered, before closing my eyes and hanging my head down.
I let go, on my own accord...
The isolation of physical contact with anything was welcoming... Peaceful...
So this was what being a pegasus was like...
Suddenly, I was forcefully pulled back into reality of the situation when I felt a hoof wrap around mine. I looked up to see Happy and Fluky looking back down at me. The filly was on his back as he grinned down at me, holding my hoof in his. And then he whispered behind the storm...
"Because they were suffering..."
His voice... that wasn't auditory. His lips moved, but there was no way I could hear that with the thunder, and the several thousand ferals in the area screaming.
That voice was in my mind...
I looked back at where Thunderwing had fallen, but I didn't see her anymore. The ferals that had tackled her, however, were just now starting to get back up. Which meant she had taken care of them. Where she took off to was beyond me.
Happy lifted me back up onto the bar, standing upright on his rear hooves and balancing perfectly as he did. Fluky clung tight around his neck as he regarded me with that stupid grin.
"Let's go..." I muttered as I began trotting carefully along the bar. Happy followed close behind, and along the way, I saw Thunderwing again, holding Destrier with both hooves, struggling to keep him in the air all the while.
Hollow ran and jumped along the bridge, occasionally swinging from one bar to another and flipping through the air, before running again. A feral tried going in for the kill, but she flipped forward, bucked the pegasus in the face, wrapped her rear hooves around its neck, twisted around, snapped said neck in the process, and appearing behind it, she continued to pick the corpse up and throw it at another incoming feral. I needed to learn how she did that...
Petiole provided cover fire, and soon after we resumed moving across the bridge, Hollow joined his side. Her assaults weren't as frequent as his were, considering the cooldown rate on her weapon.
Several ferals began chasing after Thunderwing as she hauled Destrier across the gap between the towers.
I slipped into SATS and targeted the closest one to Thunder and Destrier. In the corner of my vision, I caught Fluky aiming towards the ferals with her pistol, as well. I noticed the rain had washed off her coat dye, giving her her original look once more.
I went for the head, but the first few shots were a miss. The fourth drove through its temple, knocking them down for a little bit. But it wasn't enough. I guess I didn't hit the brain hard enough or something... Fuck.
Fluky fired at the others blindly before her gun clicked empty. She frantically began reloading a fresh clip in from her saddle bag, but now all the ferals that were on Thunder's tail had their attention diverted to us.
I quickly switched to full-auto and released a stream of lead at them, trying to maintain my balance on the failing bridge all the while.
However, far before they could reach us, a nice big beam of red death cut through them in one go.
I watched as they slammed against the side of the broken radio tower we stood on, then looked over at Hollow. Smoke hissed from her shoulder cannon, and upon making eye contact with her, she calmly nodded to me.
I continued on my way hastily.
Riot stepped off last, and what remained of us looked back as the ferals on the other side had already regenerated from the radiation exposure. They came at us, but were completely oblivious to the massive gap between the two towers. They all ran for us, but the result in that was them all falling off the bridge, until it finally had enough and started collapsing from the building weight.
More pegasi were still coming in, but Petiole and Hollow both dismissed them accordingly.
Panting, Thunder looked over at me, shook her head as she bit her lip in frustration, then to Hollow. "How much longer until we can get the hell out of here?"
Pebble.
"Not much longer." Hollow stated, looking at her after the cannon began another venting process. She looked down for a second, then back up at us. "We need to push up. Horde of ferals are attracted to the gunfire. Coming up." She turned around and started hoofing it to the stairs.
"I-I can't see." Destrier waved a hoof in front of his face. "Fuck, I can't see!"
Pebble.
"Too much radiation." Petiole stated.
"I'm not losing you, too!" Thunder glared. "Get out of the armor. I'm carrying you."
With no hesitation, his armor opened up from the rear, much like mine, and he stumbled out, feeling around frantically. Thunder moved closer to him, and his forehoof pressed against her cheek. She quickly took it and wrapped it around her shoulder. "Get on me."
I could hear the ferals below getting closer as Destrier got on top of her.
The lot of us ran after Hollow, proceeding up the stairs to the 27th floor.
Z.
Some of the ferals had already been making their way to the stairs that led down to us, but by the time we reached the final floor, Hollow had already snapped the neck of the last one that was still up. She proceeded to twist its head off completely and toss it to the side, before running down the corridor. We followed close behind, but she stopped at a unit with a missing door, keeping close to the entrance.
A few moments passed, and a feral ran out. At once, she grabbed a hold of it from behind and supluxed it, crushing its head into pulp in the process. She flipped back calmly, lowering one of her hind legs slowly as she regained her posture, as if it was a dance, and dropped the limp corpse, before turning to us. More specifically, Thunder.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
"Yeah..." She hung her head down, reloading her rifles. "But life goes on, right?"
Hollow stared silently for a moment, before turning ahead and trotting forward. "We'll hold off up here, at the end. This is our choke point. Last resort, we go up on the roof. It's not the best idea, but it's all we have left."
We ventured with her to the end of the corridor, stopping at the stairs on our left that led up to the roof access; a much thinner stairwell than the others. We'd have to form a single file line for us to get through.
I could hear the horde of ferals below us, charging for the stairs to our floor, growling and snarling hungrily.
Thunderwing set Destrier down against the wall, who leaned against it, sighing as he closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry I can't help in our final moments." He muttered, gritting his teeth. "This isn't how I wanted to go out."
"I'm not gonna let you die." Thunder snapped, aiming her rifle forward. "I'll die before that happens..." She tossed a Rad-Away packet to him.
Destrier chuckled and shook his head. "This is why I love you... You're one tough S.O.B."
"L-love...?" Thunderwing raised a brow. "Well... sounds like someone's gettin' soft on me."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Petiole began. "Enough of the cute shit. Nobody cares."
Pebble.
"Para, I swear..."
As the music continued to play, I looked around briefly, taking notice in something... In our final moments.
"Hey, does anyone else hear that music...?"
Everyone except Happy gave me a weird look, before Riot spoke up. "Charger really has lost it, everypony."
The group looked back ahead as the ferals began climbing up the stairs to our floor. Hollow turned away from me last in silence.
Destrier curled up on his side and vomited. At that exact moment, the undying horde of ferals charged up the stairs and down the corridor, toward us. Among the crowd, I spotted quite a few ferals covered head to hoof in riot gear. Even some Enclave armor!
"Thunder, target the Enclave!" I shouted, aiming at the riot geared ferals. "Petiole, you and I are on security! Everyone else, fair game!"
As the music blasted, so did our guns. We were using all the lasers and lead we had left on us.
Riot was still very much out of ammo, Fluky was bad at using a pistol, Destrier was blind and dying, Hollow was cooling down, and Blaze and Tezu were brutally killed...
The ferals were closing in fast. We were short on supplies, firepower, and ponies, and we were vastly outnumbered.
When they were about one unit down from getting to us, Riot began using the blade on his shotgun as a sword. He used his magic to swing at them from a distance, doing his best to get to their brain for efficiency. He seemed more focused on getting the former security forces. While they were a big threat, they weren't what we needed to fear most.
The Enclave ferals were covered in steel, with the tails of scorpions. My gun had no effect on them. Or if it did, it wasn't doing much. Thunder and Hollow's seemed to be doing the trick on them, but that was about it.
"Rotten apple cores!" Fluky shouted as her gun clicked to an empty chamber. She spat it out. "This thing sucks!" From there, she loaded in one final mortar to her launcher, slapped it shut, aimed forward, and pulled the trigger.
A ball of flickering light rushed forward and struck the front lines of the horde, before bursting and knocking everyone back from the shockwave as lights of various colors danced around the room. Fire began to spread along the walls, floors, and ceiling of the corridor between us and the ferals.
Our group recovered, but so did the ferals.
"Bad news, everypony!" Fluky shouted, rubbing her ears. "That was my last one!"
Hollow's beam started cutting through the crowd for a few seconds, before shutting down for another cooldown. When she wasn't disintegrating and splitting ferals in half with her cannon, she was by Happy's side, getting up, close, and personal with the ferals that were getting too close for comfort.
Throughout the fight, behind us, I could just barely hear Destrier muttering to himself.
Suddenly, I heard the door behind us burst open. Glancing at the stairs to the roof, I saw more ferals coming down for us.
"MORE ON OUR SIX!" I blurted, spinning around and focusing my attention on the newcomers.
I quickly reached in my pouch and chucked a lemon up the stairs, before jumping behind the wall, almost tripping over Destrier in the process. He flinched and squirmed beneath me, still muttering as he rocked back and forth.
A wave of acid burst out from the stairwell, sizzling at flesh and old, worn wooden tiles. Hopefully that kept them at bay for a while.
I turned back to the front and continued laying down support. We weren't going to last much longer! We had mere seconds before they overwhelmed us!
Fluky had gone back to using her pistol. She still wasn't doing the best with headshots, but they were more frequent at this close range. Bodies dropped to her actions.
With little to no time left, I slipped into SATS. I needed to think of a way out of this for all of us... C'mon, Charger... think... Lemons were a no go. They were too close for that. I was risking it just using one on the stairs behind us.
I didn't have much else that I could do...
I aimed my rifle forward and targeted the closest one on full-auto.
Click!
...
There was nothing left I could do but resort to hoof to hoof combat. And I wasn't too skilled there...
I didn't have enough time to swap out a mag.
But I had a hoof that had been holding an electric, Tungstian charge ever since we arrived. A charge built on survival.
I ran forward and joined Hollow and Happy at neutralizing the threat. My strikes weren't as powerful or as quick as theirs, but it was all I could do.
One of the Enclave ferals tackled me, beating me down with their hooves as they growled viciously behind their respirator. As black emerged from my coat, I bucked my hoof against them, frying them from within the armor. Smoke emerged from their respirator, and fire flickered behind the visor as my electricity became music to their nervous system.
Moments passed as I stared at them atop me. Once my charge was drained, their body fell limp on me. I pushed them off.
Who's next!?
"CHARGER!" Happy shouted, looking back at me in worry.
Then past me. He started to rush to the rear. I turned to look.
The ferals that were behind us had made it through the acidic explosion, and one of them was close to ripping into Fluky, catching her completely unaware.
"FLUKY, RUN!" I shouted as I joined Happy in the run to her aid.
Before she could process what we said, the feral knocked her down, just about to rip into her skull. She cried out in fear as she struggled to get away.
"NO!" Happy lunged forward, knocking the feral off her and beating it down. Others went after him, overwhelming his odds of surviving as they surrounded him and pushed him down to the ground, ripping into him.
I helped Fluky up, but just as I did and turned around, I saw the front was looking even worse than the rear. Thunder was backed up into a corner, flapping her wings desperately as she held on to a half torn-through Destrier, staying as high up as she could and knocking the ferals back with her rear hooves. She was more focused on the pegasi that flew after her.
Hollow and Riot were looking a lot like Happy right now. Surrounded. Vastly overwhelmed. Pinned and beaten against. Still, the two of them did what they could to put up a fight. To not give in.
Riot didn't last long before his neck was ripped open, causing him to choke and gag on his own blood as flesh was torn away and consumed.
Petiole used the last of his ammo to help fend off the ferals that went after Thunderwing and Destrier. When his ammo was depleted, he started stomping down the ferals on the ground. It was all he could do.
This was it...
We were going to die...
I looked at Fluky and shook my head. "I'm so sorry... Stay still... Please..."
And from there, I laid her down on her back and got on top of her, sheltering her from the ferals... Hoping that they would have forgotten about her. This was all I had left. All I could do left was protect... Or try to...
This was all my fault we were here...
She struggled for a bit beneath me, groaning softly in worry.
"Shh... I need you to stay alive..." I whispered.
I felt a feral slam its hooves down on my lower spine from behind, pulling on me shortly after it sank its teeth down into my hide. Another grabbed me from the front, ripping into my ear, and then my scalp. I cried out in pain as they both tore into me, pulling opposite directions...
Just like with Blaze.
I felt my hide start to tear around my barrel as they tugged, ripped, and tore. I screamed as black spewed from my lips and gushed from my wounds. Tentacles inside me writhed in my pain.
And before I knew it, I was in two. Split along my mid-section. My blackened guts spilled out over Fluky like candy from a pinata. Only... my guts... weren't guts...
My supposed intestines wrapped around Fluky's limbs, holding her tight and whipping around viciously along her body. She screamed in horror as black ooze covered her body and tentacles that represented my bowels explored her, pulling her into my body further...
Trying to absorb her.
Fuck, no! Not her! Not Fluky!
More ferals rushed in, digging into both me and the filly. Ripping into her. Red mixing with black.
Her fearful cries were mixed with agony as more tendrils wrapped around her neck and head, pulling her into my chest.
I cried out, desperate for it all to stop...
Not like this... Not like this!
As ferals ripped into her and chewed on her entrails, and her screams got louder as she tried desperately to get away, her eyes flashed white, and her screams became one with the thunder outside. Her horn lit up as the end was upon us all.
And then... silence and darkness... as the feeling of both my halves being warped washed over me.
> Channel 002.0; A Joke Called Life
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, are you hungry? Oh no! Some Kirin trapped in a well? Okay. Baby. Baby fish. Big. Big. No, baby fish mouth? Did something? Anything? AGH, just write it down! Ergh, this is making me FURIOUS! ... Would you excuse me, I'll be right back...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My body tingled as my geigercounter went berserk. Both halves... for some reason, even through all the agony of being split in half, I could still feel my legs.
There was no more thunder, rain, hail or lightning. Nor was there a horde of ferals eating us.
But there was screaming. And crying.
I looked down to see Fluky was gone. My tentacles still thrashed around violently, seeking nourishment.
The air was hot and heavy, and the scent of burning flesh filled my nostrils.
I looked around at my surroundings as fire danced around grey trees, and old buildings. Several dozen bodies laid strewn about; all with gunshots. A red dust covered the earth.
We were in Saddle...
Right back at square one, only now we were suffering the after effects of detonating a nuclear reactor.
Fluky was on the ground, a few feet away, coughing blood as her guts spilled out of her, half eaten. Her horn wasn't glowing anymore, and her eyes were back to normal...
Fluky was going to die...
She was looking at me, bursting into tears.
"D-daddy! Please, da-daddy! I don't want to die! It... it hurts so much... Luna save m-meeee!"
I crawled over to her, my 'entrails' dragging and wriggling around behind me.
"Hang on... Fuck, hang on!"
I felt a pebble hit me in the back of the head...
I looked around at the surrounding party, who were also in mortal peril. Hollow and Petiole were the only ones left standing. Happy was bleeding profusely, but still smiling as he lied there on his back, breathing heavily. Riot's neck was left torn open, and he was choking on his own blood. Destrier had his chest, back and rear hoof ripped open, and Thunderwing had a half-chewed wing, cutiemark, and ear.
"I need a health potion over here!" I shouted, looking at Hollow, who turned to look back at me.
She looked around at the lot of us, then shook her head. "Not here. We stay, we die."
"There's nowhere else to go." Petiole stated, stepping up beside her.
"There is." She nodded as her horn lit up.
In an instant, we were transported and warped into a completely new area.
One of clear, cold air.
We were inside the living room of an old house. Fluky's cries were getting softer, and her eyes were forcing themselves closed gradually.
"D-daddy... I'm scared..." She said as she looked up at me in tears. "I don't... I don't... I don't wanna..."
"Shhh..." I petted her softly, feeling tears of mine escape. "Save your energy... I won't let anything happen to you..."
"I'll take care of Riot." Petiole stated as his choking started to fade to nothing.
She continued to look up at me, whimpering. "It hurts so much..."
"I know... Just try and take it easy..."
"I'm so tired..." Her eyes started to close. "I... don't... wanna... slee..."
"Fluky, hey... Wake up. C'mon..." Tears flowed freely as I held her limp body in my arms. "Wake up... Please, Celestia, Luna, somebody... Don't take her..." I hugged her close to my chest as tears washed down my face. "Please, no..."
"Good." Hollow stated. I didn't bother turning back. "You stayed."
"You had peaked my curiosity." A new voice joined us. I finally glanced back to see a zebra standing with Hollow. Petiole was standing at a distance, keeping a close eye on him behind red LEDs.
On the zebras back was a small crate filled with health potions.
Still holding on to Fluky, I turned to him more. "Save her. Please!" I bawled.
Hollow nodded upon him looking over her casually, and he nodded back before trotting to me and her.
He set the crate down beside us and pulled out a bottle, unscrewed the cap, and tilted the neck to her lips gradually.
Some of it escaped from her lips, sliding down her face.
"C'mon..." I muttered behind my tears. "C'mon, Flukes... Please... Come back..."
As he carefully fed her a bottle of the purple liquid, the more I felt like I had lost somebody special... The more the bottle drained, the more I felt a loss... Like I was too late...
Her body was still healing, despite her unconsciousness. That was a good sign, right...?
Normally, I'd be wary of a zebra just being around me. But I was willing to do anything, if it meant saving Fluky's life. She was far too young for this...
The zebra really didn't really pay me any mind, oddly enough. He seemed more focused on feeding Fluky the medicine.
Once the bottle had about a quarter of the juice left, she burst into a coughing fit. Some of the purple liquid spurted out from her mouth, dripping down her chin and getting on her chest.
The zebra pulled the bottle away from her lips and regarded her in a calm manner, before speaking softly to her. "You need to drink it all, little one."
"Everything hurts..." She said as tears began to emerge once more, trying to pull away from the bottle.
"Please drink it, Flukes..." I whispered in her ear as the zebra held the bottle a small distance away from her lips, waiting to try again. "It'll make you better..."
She whimpered, before reluctantly nodding, to which the bottle was lightly pressed against her lips and gradually tilted; a gentle flow of the medicine washing down her throat as she gulped repeatedly.
Her intestines pulled further back into her gut, and as they did, the bite marks started to close up to nothing. She cried and whimpered during the process, and after a second bottle of the stuff, her gut finally closed up completely. But I was more than sure that some of my blood... my infected blood... had gotten inside her...
I guess we were going to cross that bridge when we came to it...
"I'm so tired..." Fluky muttered under her shaky breath. "I... I need to..." She took a deep breath as her eyes started to close. She leaned her head back, and I felt her body go limp.
"Fluky...?" I shook her gently. "Fluky, w-wake up..." More tears washed down my face as I wept for her. "Please don't leave..."
Petiole stepped up and put a hoof to her neck gently for a moment, before pulling away. "She's still alive, Charger. She just needs to rest. We all do."
I looked up at him to see he was standing away from me as he warily watched behind me with blue LEDs. Then I noticed the zebra was, too.
Then everyone else...
From a safe distance...
I looked back to see my lower half crawling over to me with over a dozen black, thick, oily, yet smoky tendrils coming out from the massive wound that had been inflicted on me. Only then, did I begin to notice I could feel them, as if they were actually a part of me, now that my mind was put at ease and pulled into focus on my surroundings.
Some had spilled out of me from my upper half as well, but they only seemed to want to reach out to my lower half, as they waited still and patient for my legs to come back to me.
Once my two halves got closer, the tendrils did the rest of the work in pulling myself together. It burnt against my wounds, but the moment my body made contact with itself, the pain was already starting to subside. I could feel my hide and internal organs fusing back together, slowly but surely.
I carefully lied down on my stomach and let my body do its thing. The process wasn't nearly as fast as the healing potions were, but I wasn't going to bother with any of the potions. The others weren't regenerating like I was. They needed it far more than I did.
I was regenerating because I was infected with a darkness. It wasn't a gift. Hell, I didn't even wanna be alive anymore.
"Vakaa..." The zebra whispered as he looked down at me; eyes wide open with a certain realization of... something. I couldn't tell what, but I knew he was piecing something together in his head. He stared for a while, before turning to Hollow.
Before I knew it, she was by my side, looking down at me for a long moment. I kept my eyes on her hooves, but I could feel her eyes on me. There was a certain coldness behind her stare... and her silence...
Then, in her calm, monotone voice, she spoke.
"Can you walk?"
"I... I don't know..." I closed my eyes. I was so tired... and hungry.
"Petiole." She began.
"Yeah, what?"
"There's a bedroom upstairs for Fluky. Take her up there. She needs a bed."
"What about the others?"
"Oku?" She asked curiously, to which the zebra responded.
"I have the..." He paused as he tapped a hoof to his chin, looking up at the ceiling, unsure of himself on something. "Sleeping area..."
"Infirmary." She pushed into his sentence.
"Yes. That. It is ready."
"Good. Take the others there and get them treated. They got severe radiation poisoning. Charger will take the couch out here."
"What? Why?" Riot asked.
"With how everyone's been acting with his condition, I figured it would be in everyone's best interest if he was kept from everyone else."
Okay, ow...
"She's right..." Thunderwing muttered. I opened my eyes and looked at her as she held Destrier in her arms. He kept his eyes closed. She glanced down at me and sighed. "It's for the best, Charger." With that, she got up, bringing Destrier up on his hooves. "C'mon, everyone. Let's rest up..."
Her team did as they were told. The zebra known as Oku led the way to the infirmary, in another part of the house I couldn't see from here. It was on the first floor, at least.
Petiole gently lifted Fluky on his back and carried her up the stairs in the living room that we had all spawned in, bringing her to the bedroom Hollow spoke of.
... All...
That was a lie... We were missing two...
And all for what...? A metal box?
Hap... er... Para leaned his back against a recliner in the corner of the room, watching me with his stupid ass grin, as if nothing bad happened. As if Blaze and Tezu didn't die screaming as they were glued to others and torn apart!
Fuck!
"Para, go in the infirmary with the others."
"Awww, but why?"
"Now." I snapped, and my hoof burst into a crackling energy. "I don't want to hear it right now. Just go. Rest up."
His smile faltered, and he nodded slowly before getting up off his seat and calmly walking to where the others went; all with that slight dance to his movement. His Little Buddy followed close behind.
"Rest now." Hollow replied softly, gently lifting me off the ground with her magic. I thrashed around a little bit, but my body wasn't ready to move. I winced and groaned in pain shortly after and gave in as she levitated me over to the couch, setting me down gently. "You all need it."


(((((((◉)))))))


I lied there for what felt like hours, unable to sleep. From the agonizing pain in my body as it slowly regenerated through the virus I had in my body, from the fear of losing Fluky, even though she was saved. She was safe now... but still, the fear... the realization of almost losing her invaded my heart and mind, and it wouldn't go away.
I lied there for hours on the couch, staring up at the weathered ceiling. Her screams and pleas played on loop in my mind.
I didn't want to move. Everything hurt... inside and out.
Every so often, Hollow would come in and check on me. In those first two times, I managed to get a few Med-x shots from her to help numb the pain. But after that, I seemed to be pushing my luck.
My armor was thrashed and in a heap on the floor of the living room. It would take some serious TLC to get it back to its former glory, if that was even possible at this point. And the helmet was a goner for good.
The house was quiet throughout the whole day. By the time I was able to move without any serious pains in my body, save for the never ending migraine, it was nightfall.
I stayed at the window next to the front door, looking out into the darkness as I sat in candle light.
I didn't really know where we were or what it was like outside of this house, but that was on my to-do list, starting tomorrow.
The place seemed peaceful enough... We hadn't had any intruders since we arrived.
"Charger."
I turned around to see Hollow standing before me; her identity still sheltered by her armor.
"Hey." I nodded slowly, then turned back to the window.
"I'm assuming you feel better?"
I shrugged my shoulders, keeping my eyes fixated on the darkness outside. "Eh."
There was a brief moment of silence before I heard her step closer. I turned around to see her beside me at that point, joining me at the window.
"What's up?" I asked, giving her a puzzled look.
She turned and looked at me in her calm manner. "Petiole and I are going to be gone for some time tomorrow."
"Why is that?" I raised a questioning brow as I regarded her.
"We're going back to retrieve Tezu and Blaze's body. Thunder's wishes."
I looked down and sighed softly to myself, before looking back up at her visor. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
She shook her head. "I'm only going as a means of transportation, and Petiole is only going because he's immune to the pink cloud, and feral ghouls ignore him. Besides." She looked back to the window. "You still need rest."
I sat on my haunches, feeling both a demon and a reality grow inside me. Something I had felt my whole life, but never put attention towards until recently.
Guilt...
"There's something on your mind." Hollow stated matter-of-factly.
I glanced in her direction, then groaned softly to myself.
"Share if you like. If not, so be it."
Heh... sounded like she had been hanging around Petiole too much. Sounded like something he'd say...
"Hollow..." I looked back up at her as she stood at my side. She regarded me, emotionless behind that visor. I couldn't believe I was about to vent to a total stranger who barely knew me. Or I her... "Do you think it's my fault they're dead?"
For the longest time, she stared in silence... empty behind that visor. Empty within that armor. Cold... empty... and silent...
She looked to the window for a moment before turning around facing away from it. "Rest, Charger. You will need it."
And with that, she started back for where the others resided, leaving me alone in the living room with my thoughts. The thoughts I would drown out at the bottom of a glass or a bottle, whenever I had the opportunity.
I walked over to my saddle bags and pulled out the bottle of vodka I took from the tower. I couldn't read the whole label, but my best guess was that it was labeled 'Dead Horse.' Interesting name for an alcohol, but if it did the trick, then I wasn't gonna look too deep. If it lived up to its name, then bonus points for whoever managed to kill me.
I plopped down on the couch and tore off the cap with my teeth, before spitting it out and chugging down the contents until my throat couldn't take it anymore.


(((((((◉)))))))


Light drowned the darkness, and pain came flooding into my senses. My head felt like someone was trying to bash it in with a girder, my eyes felt like they were being drilled into from within my skull, my stomach had turned against me, and dried vomit coated my lips. Spiked with vodka my body couldn't take.
I cracked my eyes open, instantly regretting it as sunlight stung my retinas. I groaned and curled up on my side, sheltering my eyes with both forehooves.
"Morning, Robutt."
I moved my hooves away from my face and looked up at the second floor to see Fluky walking down the stairs slowly, wincing every so often.
"F-Flukes." I sat up quickly, only to lie back down as the head rush came in.
"Don't call me that." She smiled faintly as she reached the bottom step. "Are you... okay?"
"Only if you are." I replied with a half smile. Fuck, it was good to see her on her hooves again...
"Petiole said I'll live." She stepped up to my couch, then stopped a few feet away from it once she got a good whiff of the vomit I had around me. She scrunched her muzzle and looked down a little. "You really need a shower, Robutt."
I chuckled softly before coughing. "Yeah, that I do."
She nodded a little before looking back up at me with a pained smile. "Petiole and the new lady said they prepared a bath just outside of the house, on the side." She glanced down at the empty bottle of vodka that laid on its side against the cushions of the couch. She sighed and looked back up at me with a flat expression.
"Rough night..." I muttered, holding my arm with my hoof.
She rolled her eyes and went back for the stairs.
"You called me your dad." I stated abruptly, to which she froze, keeping her eyes forward for a moment. She turned to me a short while after with a shocked look, to which I continued. "Yesterday. When you were..." I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "You kept calling me daddy. You were... scared. But... it seemed you looked to me to help you..."
She looked down; her mane curtaining her eyes. "I..." She tensed up. "I don't know what you are to me, Robutt... You're not my friend... and you most certainly aren't my dad... No, you killed him... or your buddies did..."
"They aren't my-"
"Point is..." She interrupted. "I may have said some things in the heat of the moment... Things that weren't true... but..." She looked back up at me once more. "I know one thing is true. You've helped me. You saved my life back in Saddle. And I hate you for it..." She closed her eyes and sat on the bottom step of the stairs. "But I also... kinda... eh..." She shrugged. "I like you as well... And I hate that I like you... But..." She smiled faintly as she regarded me. "I know that if I need help... if I need saving... you'd be there for me. I can look to you for that."
Our eyes met for the longest time as we smiled at each other. Eventually, she slowly got back up on all fours and started up the stairs. Halfway up, she stopped and looked back at me with that same, soft smile.
"I don't remember anything on how we escaped the towers, but... Petiole and the new girl said you sacrificed yourself to help keep me safe. Is that true?"
Hesitantly, I nodded.
She paused for a moment, thinking to herself. "And... you were... torn in half... to save me...?"
I nodded again.
Her smile brightened just a little as she looked down at me. "You risked your life for me..."
"And I'd do it again, Fluky. In a heartbeat. I owe you anyways."
Her smile faltered a little bit as she nodded slowly, then turned away from me, resuming her climb up to the second floor, back to her bedroom. "Thank you..." She said softly, before disappearing from my presence.
I lied there for a moment, looking up at the second floor, until I caught movement in the corner of my eye.
I turned my head to see Para trotting in from where everyone else had gone to rest the other day... which made me realize I had stayed in the living room the whole night, only catching winks of sleep.
He beamed at me upon eye contact and stopped before me. "Ah, can you just take in that sweet, fresh air! Gotta love that H20!"
I smiled softly and nodded to him. "It's good to see you again, Para."
"Don't you mean O2?" Thunderwing asked as she stepped in from the hallway that went under the stairs. "The element for oxygen is O2, Para."
It... it was? Fuck, I felt stupid...
She regarded both of us coolly, then took a seat on the bottom step of the stairs. "You look like shit, Charger."
"So do you." I said with a half smile, taking notice to the bags under her eyes.
"Didn't sleep well..." She said in a monotone, looking up at me with a blank expression. "Tends to happen when you lose two very close friends..."
Guilt washed over me as I hung my head down and sighed. "Thunder... I-"
"Don't." She looked me dead in the eye. "Don't start getting all apologetic on me. I don't want to hear it."
I tensed up as she snapped, refusing to make eye contact as I kept my head down. "... As you wish..."
She rolled her eyes and leaned her head against the railing. "I need a smoke..."
"I might be able to help with that." I stated as I started to rummage through my saddle bags, only to pull out a crumpled pack of cigs. I opened the pack and looked inside, before slowly giving it over to her. "One left..."
She looked at me in silence for a few seconds, raising a brow, before taking it, putting it between her lips, and lighting the end.
"Thanks..." She muttered before the smoldering end brightened as she breathed in.
"I take it Hollow and Petiole are gone?"
She nodded slowly before exhaling a torrent of smoke, looking straight ahead at a wall. "Yep..." She gave the air a few whiffs, then scrunched her muzzle as she turned to me with her dead, tired look. "You smell like how I feel. Go out there and wash up."
I nodded slowly and turned to the door, showing myself out. Para followed me out and closed the door behind me. As I walked around the house, he joined my side with that small dance to his movement.
Damn it... even in horrible circumstances, he had too much optimism... or ignorance... Both, perhaps. It frustrated me that he didn't take much of anything serious...
The land outside was surprisingly mostly green. There were patches of dry, dead fields, unfortunately. But long blades of green stood tall, swaying with the fresh, rich air that the gentle breeze carried. The sky was a bright blue, and only a few clouds resided above us, all of which were cotton white.
In the distance, I could hear something like waves of an ocean, and the calling of seagulls. Salt filled the air.
"Tuner, you there?" I called out as I walked around the corner of the house. The tub of water sat there, pressed against the wall. In the distance sat a hill of that green, healthy grass. The land beyond that was out of my sight.
To the north, in the distance, was an unnamed factory building. It was hard to determine what it was for originally.
"Who?" Para asked, raising a brow as his tail whipped my flank.
"No one..." I muttered. "Just... tired." I stopped at the tub and stretched my limbs, before turning to my friend. He stood there, looking at me with his damn smile. Damn it, he was adorable, but fuck, he needed to take things more serious... "Can I help you?"
That smile turned into a grin before he began. "The real question is 'can I help you?'"
I recognized that voice...
"What do you want, Happy?" I asked as my ears flattered. I stepped into the tub and sank down to where the water reached my neck. It was already turning black as my blood slowly washed off my coat.
"Simple. I want to help." He stepped closer to the tub, looking me in the eye.
"With?" I asked, raising a skeptical brow.
"Your future." He began removing his apparel and set it down on the grass next to the tub. Little Buddy snuggled up in the heap of clothes as he carefully stepped into the water and sat down on the opposite side, facing me as he sank further into the water slowly, smiling softly.
In most cases, I would have refused having someone share a bath with me. I was infected. I didn't want to infect anyone else. But as he climbed in, I remembered that he too, was infected with the same virus as I. Maybe not the F-virus, but I still had time left before it reached that level, according to Petiole. And I wasn't bleeding anymore. All my wounds had been patched up. So even then, chances were he would have been safe from that.
Our rear hooves crossed with each other as he began washing his coat down of the black gunk that came from his body. He didn't seem to care much about his blood being black. Or mine, even. I guess he already knew what was happening to him. If Tuner knew, surely everyone else in that battery did as well.
He continued to rub his coat down with water in attempts to clean the blood off for a moment, before coming to a stop and looking at me with a small smile curling on his lips.
"What?" I asked, giving him a weird look.
Suddenly, in one quick motion, his forehoof lunged out of the water, intentionally splashing my face.
I stared flatly as my ears dropped. "Really?"
"Just trying to get you to wake up."
I shook my head and began washing myself down some more. The blood came off fairly easy. About as easy as blood was to wash off. Thankfully. This almost had the same consistency of normal blood, so at least there was that.
Happy proceeded to hum the tune to the song that Para was dancing to in the park, when Petiole, Fluky, and I ran out of Stable 32, as he reached around his back and started washing hard to reach places. Of course he made it look easy. Flexible show off...
Shortly after, he started rinsing out his hair. As he did, he playfully ran his rear hooves along mine, smiling at me.
"Chin up, Charger. The best thing to do is don't worry. Be happy."
"Easy for you to say, you optimistic psychopath."
His smile faltered a bit, before it was revived again. "Now, now. No need for name calling." He spun his hoof around in a circular motion once he stopped cleaning out his mane. "Turn around, so I can get your back. I know it's hard for you to reach back there."
Hesitantly, I did as he said. Shortly after, did I feel his hooves press against my back and wash down my coat with the now dirty water in the tub. Like this was going to do anything for me...
Still... his hooves felt great...
I closed my eyes and folded my fores on the rim of the tub, arching my back a bit as he got to work.
He continued to hum that happy little tune that I first heard in the blazing inferno that was once a park as he washed - or at least tried to wash - my back.
"Happy..."
"Hm?"
I hung my head down a bit as he started to wash the back of my neck. "Do you know about my past?"
"You mean apart from being a unicorn?"
I tensed up at the word. "Y-yeah..."
He began running his hooves through my mane, washing out all the black blood that had stained it. There was some gunk here and there that fell out.
... Okay, so maybe it didn't have the consistency of blood in some areas.
"I do."
I looked over my shoulder with plea in my eyes. They were starting to burn with tears already. "Can you please tell me what happened to me? I need to know. Please, Happy..."
"You will know when the time is right, Charger." He smiled softly as he continued washing my mane out. He looked me in the eye and continued. "But that time is not now. You have to wait."


(((((((◉)))))))


After my bath with Happy, I went back to my couch in the living room of the house, flipped over the cushions to the cleaner side - which was putting it lightly - and lied back down. Not long after, did I fish around the pouches on my armor until I found the magazine from the apartments. Happy, smiling for eternity in the immortality of a photograph, looked at me from the front cover. Even through a dusty, 200-some year magazine, he still had perfect teeth.
'Dentist of the year!' was plastered on the cover in bold, yellow letters, followed by 'Happy's ten steps to having the best dental hygiene.'
A smaller headline on the bottom right hoof side read, 'Dr. Arum Petiole and Dr. Floe Glaze come to a groundbreaking discovery on the science behind cryo-stasis; What it could mean for the future!'
I began flipping through the pages, but everything I was reading was rocket science to me. I didn't understand a single thing in this magazine. Most of it was filled with dental and medical yawn material, but three pages were reserved for Petiole and Floe Glaze.
Who was this Floe Glaze... Why did that name sound familiar...?
Wait... Floe Glaze...
Wait, she was the one that captured Happy in a block of ice! I didn't know her and Petiole worked together!
There was a picture of the two of them standing side by side on a stage. Petiole wasn't all that smiley. In fact, he looked tired and depressed. But Floe was smiling as she looked at their audience.
The text was just more yawn material. I didn't understand a thing about cryogenics. I didn't even really believe it worked, until the recent discovery that Happy was frozen in a block of ice for over 200 years, and was still alive and breathing.
I was into more fictional material. It was a nice escape from my shitty existence. Alcohol was, too. And drugs. But reading was definitely the healthier alternative.
Pfft... Like I cared about my health anymore.
I closed the magazine and tossed it on the floor at a yellow set of hooves as they approached. I looked her in they eyes for a second, before dropping back down to the floor.
"I didn't hear you come in." I said softly.
"My branch in the Enclave focused a lot on taking the stealthier approach." Thunderwing replied, sitting at my rear hooves. She looked exhausted. "How are you holding up?"
I grabbed the empty vodka bottle that lied on the floor and looked inside. "No more alcohol. So I'm not holding up."
She stared silently at the bottle for a moment as my pipbuck's geigercounter started clicking upon me grabbing it.
"You took that from the tower, didn't you...?" She asked; her jaw dropping a bit.
I nodded. "Mhm."
"And you... drank it...?"
"Mhm."
"C-Charger..." She quickly got up and reached into her saddle bags with the pinions of her wing. She pulled it back out with a few packets of Rad-Away in her grasp. "Drink these!" She threw them, and two smacked me in the face, while the third struck my chest and stayed there.
"Hey, what gives?"
"You may as well have drank pure radiation, that's what gives!"
I rolled my eyes. "You think I care?"
"Charger..." She gritted her teeth as she glared down at me. "Do not get selfish. Blaze and Tezu were a part of my family, you fuck! They gave their life to help you. We did not go to that damn tower just so you could kill yourself after. Stop being a pitiful asshat, drink the Goddess-damned Rad-Away, and find out how to operate whatever this weapon is that Tuner spoke of, and pull yourself together! No more pity!"
She stood up and swung the front door open, before flying out and taking to the skies.
I lied there for a moment, looking out the window as she took off. More guilt...
I bit down on one of the pouches and began drinking. It tasted horrible, but it needed to be done.
I stopped drinking from the pouch after a few gulps, feeling my stomach turn from the flavor. Blegh...
I fished around my saddle bags for a moment in hopes to find something to help with the flavor, before pulling a can of carrots out. Radioactive...
Damn it... Well... I didn't eat anything yet...
I tossed the canned carrots aside, then dug back in, taking two cans of cinnamon apple slices out. I opened both and scarfed them down with no hesitation.
With a belly full of radioactive goodness, I washed it all down with the packets of Rad-Away Thunderwing had given to me. Especially fast, considering my geigercounter was going crazy. Even when I tossed the empty cans away from me, it still didn't let up.


(((((((◉)))))))


Happy had given me the radio without causing any issues when I asked for it. I didn't tell him why I needed it, but I think he figured it out himself.
I sat atop the hill behind the house at a ledge that dropped off into a violent ocean, where the waves slammed relentlessly against the rocks.
Off in the distance, towards the south, were a series of towers that stood tall from the ocean. Catwalks were built around them, and cannons rested on top. Smaller turrets were built into the walls of the pillars, and the edge of the walkways. By smaller, I meant they were small from where I sat. But seeing as the base of the towers almost touched the horizon, the turrets must have been pretty fucking big if I could see them from here.
I didn't quite understand what that was all about, but that wasn't my main focus at the moment. I had other things I needed to do.
"Tuner." I said softly, looking at the infinite field of water that touched the horizon.
"Charger."
I set the metal cube down on the grass before me. "So what do I need to do with this thing?"
"Put your hoof on it."
I did as he told.
"Close your eyes."
I closed his eyes, as per his request.
"Concentrate, and think of what you want. It can be anything. You want to use this against the Steel Rangers? Think carefully and thoroughly on what this weapon is going to be. What is it going to look like? What is it going to do? How does it work?"
I nodded. "I can take it from here."
"Good luck."
I hung my head down as I listened to the rushing waves of the ocean crash against the cliff side. The strong gusts of wind blew past my form, brushing through my coat and mane.
My armor was shredded, so there was no use in bringing it with me. As dangerous as it was, feeling the wind and letting my body breathe without the confines of any apparel was something I needed in my life. I never thought that I'd get to. I was relaxed. I was calm.
For a small time in all my life - for the very first time - I was at peace.
That peace was quickly swept away as I started to think about the Steel Rangers, and what I wanted to do to them. My hoof crackled as a result of my thoughts.
What would be good against the rangers... Hm...
A super gun, perhaps? Hollow's cannon, but with shorter cooldown? No... I needed to think bigger. Badder. Something that would terrify every chapter that walked this planet, and then some.
Maybe a giant spider-like machine? With a cannon on the top. Yeah, that sounded more like it. Three cannons. No, four!
Spikes for legs? Fuck it, why not?
The cannons would shoot-
I heard hoofsteps approach from behind, and I looked over my shoulder to see Happy coming up. I quickly went back to my task, closing my eyes and concentrating again.
The cannons would shoot red beams of death, much like Hollow's cannon, and the cooldown would be shorter with the nice, big, glorious vents in the sides. It would be activated telekinetically. That way, it would only respond to my commands, and no one else's! Hah! This was fool proof!
He stopped at my side and spoke. "Ah, man. I could really use a seat!"
Damn it!
My brows knitted as I tried hard to keep the intrusive thought of chairs away, and bring back my idea of a weapon.
I gritted my teeth as chairs invaded my mind. One last image came into view, before I heard the device start to morph.
Fuck, no!
I opened my eyes as it started to unfold before me.
It was a chair.
A fucking chair...
"That's more like it."
"Happy, why would you do that!?" I glared at him as he smiled at me.
"Do what? My legs hurt from all the running we did. I was just stating I needed to rest my muscles."
"I was WORKING ON SOMETHING IMPORTANT!"
He shrugged. "Looked like you were sitting."
My hoof flared, and I took a deep breath. "Tuner, is it possible for me to retry?"
"Sorry, Charger. This was a prototype. There's nothing that can be done now."
"Goddess DAMN IT!" I shouted, stomping my forehooves down against the grass and dirt. I pointed an accusing hoof at the suspect as he grinned on. "Look what you made me do!"
"Hey, thanks." He stood up and sat on the chair. "I wasn't looking to get credit for this one, but since you're giving it..."
I took a long look at the chair, glaring for a moment, before realizing this wasn't an ordinary chair.
It had the legs that I imagined for the spiderbot, only there were four. Behind each leg was the barrel I imagined for it, too.
Okay, this was getting a little better... Still not what I had planned to use against the Steel Rangers, but at least it wasn't a complete and total waste...
It was all metal - Tungstian by the look of it, which was the same metal material I wanted to use for the spiderbot. It didn't look the best to sit in, though.
Just... one more thing.
I closed my eyes and thought carefully about the barrels of the... chair, I guess...
I heard them hum softly, but nothing was happening.
So I imagined pulling a trigger in my mind.
At once, the sound of four of Hollow's beams went off underneath the chair, blasting away at the earth below.
My eyes shot open wide as I grinned. "YES!"
Happy jumped a little, then looked down at the light show, before hopping off.
I pulled the mental trigger again, but nothing happened. My grin died as a panel slid open on the side, and a Microfusion cell jumped out and landed on the grass before me. I looked down at the ammo to find it was spent.
... Hold on a second...
A free 26-MCF cell came with the chair... and I just wasted it on some grass...
I planted my face in a hoof as I sighed. "Good going, you idiot..." I muttered.
Steam hissed from the back of the chair for a moment. Happy was watching it until the ventilation ceased, to which he turned to me with a soft smile.
"Happy Hearthswarming."
"Fuck you." I deadpanned, though my hoof flared a bit. "I made a Goddess damned chair because of your loud mouth. I was trying to make something more useful!"
"And look at that!" His smile brightened. "You made a chair that provides a light show. This will surely make others happy as well. It is our objective, after all."
The electricity in my hoof grew wilder as Happy trotted away, and Tuner stepped in.
"Calm down, Charger. It's still very effective. It's still a weapon."
I sighed and hung my head down as my ears drooped. "Yeah, I know... But..." I looked at the instrument and pointed a hoof at it in disbelief and distaste. "It's a chair..."
"And a weapon."
I shook my head and stood up. "The tower was a waste of time, and a waste of two lives... Blaze and Tezu died for a fucking chair... Fluky almost died for a chair! We all almost died for a Goddess-damned, fucking CHAIR!" I stomped my rear hoof down against the earth, and electricity traveled across the ground in a shockwave as thunder rolled. "Damn it, Tuner! What are we doing!?"
"I assumed we were going to take on the Steel Rangers. Isn't that what this game is all about?"
I gritted my teeth as anger boiled further inside me. "Enough about the fucking game! Stop with the game! This is NOT. A. GAME! I got two people killed for THIS!" I gestured both hooves to the metal chair. "What kind of sick joke is this!?"
"A joke called life." Tuner said in a monotone. "This goes back to something a wise, horny mare once said a long time ago. How did it go again?" He paused as I took rapid, deep breaths. Fuck, I wanted to scream... "Ah, yes. 'That's life. And life is a sadistic, fickle, bitch.'"
Quite suddenly, the metal furniture folded in on itself, resorting back to its original form.
I stared down at it, now curious. "What happened?"
"My best guess is you wished it away. Wanted it gone, judging by the context of this conversation."
I nodded slowly. "So... I have another chance to make something more useful than a chair?"
"Like I said... It's a one time use." Tuner replied in an exasperated tone. "It's forever going to be a chair. It's just more portable now."
I bit my lip as I grabbed the box, then turned back to the two story house.
"I'm going on a walk to clear my head. Alone." I looked to the north, at the factory in the distance. "I'm dropping you off at the house."


(((((((◉)))))))


My armor was shredded, so I didn't bother taking it with me. I did however, take the saddle bags from it and bring those with me, as well as the rifle. I had attached it to my left shoulder before heading out.
I had also taken the... ugh... the chair with me. It rested in my bag, with the spare dual-sided magazine.
I stepped up to the parking lot of the factory, where a series of abandoned wagons sat. The road out went one direction only; east. There were no other roads around here. Not even to the house.
There was, however, a set of train tracks that led out of the factory as well.
Bottles laid strewn about the compound; some shattered, some still intact.
I lifted the closest one up to examine the label.
"Everfree Brew...?" I cocked a brow before a smile crept up on my lips. I picked up another bottle to see the same label. And another. Another! Yes! My eyes lit up as I grinned. "BEER!"
I rushed for the front doors of the factory and burst in.
At once, a series of red blips appeared on my E.F.S., and I stopped dead in my tracks, looking around,
"... Beer...?" My ears wilted, and my smile was no more.
Some of the red blips began moving, and I heard the rolling of sentry wheels, and the squeaky operation of cogs.
Shit... Robo-brains...
I spun around, now seeking the exit, but as I did so, I was caught by surprise. I hastily put my mouth on the bit to my rifle as I stared back at another pony.
A pony dressed in T-45b power armor...
"Who are you?" He asked as his laser rifle stayed locked on me.
"Piss off!" I backed away, glaring at him. "You already know who I am!" I reached into my bag and pulled out the metal box. It expanded into the dumbass chair Happy made me make, and I pointed the leg... cannon things at the ranger.
"SEARCHING." A deep, metallic voice said behind me.
The ranger looked past me for a moment, before focusing on me once more. "That's a chair."
"It's also a weapon!" I blurted. "Fuck off!"
"You're outnumbered. Are you sure you really wanna go down this path?"
I noticed on my E.F.S. that more red blips were closing in on the entrance.
"Who are ya interrogatin' this time, ya..." A mare in the same model of power armor stepped into view and turned to me, pausing. "O-Oh..."
"Report." Another mare spoke through their radios.
"Uh... C-code C.O.S., madam."
There was a moment of silence as I stared silently at the two of them. They stared back for a moment, before the mare turned to the first ranger. She shoved his shoulder.
"What do ya think yer doin', ya idjit!?"
He looked at her a moment, then lowered his rifle a little.
I spun around as the wheels of the sentry and the treads of the Robo-brain grew louder.
Just as I looked at their blips, they went from red to blue.
Just as they rolled into view from the end of the room; out of the halls that went left and right.
I kept my weapons on the two rangers. They couldn't be trusted!
"Mah 'pologies." The mare continued, stepping forward. I stepped away from her as she got closer, to which she stopped. "Yeah, she said you'd be wary of us steel-clad folk..."
I looked back to the robots behind me, but they paid me no mind.
The mare chuckled. "Sorry 'bout the scare. They're safe now."
I looked back at her with a raised brow. "Who are you ponies? And who am I to you?"
She removed her helmet to reveal a slightly disheveled light grey mane, and a dark grey coat. Her eyes were a light blue, and a white diamond marked between her eyes. She had a few freckles, too. "Name's Cobalt. Doofus over there..." She looked back at the first ranger, then back to me with a half smile. "Well, ya can just call 'im Doofus."
"That's not my name."
"I reckon I could call ya Dipshit, instead." She stared back at him flatly. "She ain't gun be happy ya did that to 'im, ya know."
"Who am I to you ponies?" I reiterated. My hoof crackled softly as I glared at the two.
Cobalt looked back at me in surprise as red electricity channeled through my hoof.
One of the blips ahead of me started moving quicker from the right, and another ranger stepped into view. They looked at me for a long period of time, before stepping forward slowly.
"It really is him..." She said softly.
"What are you going on about?" I asked, getting more frustrated by the second. "What's going on here?"
"Charger..." The third ranger took her helmet off and set it on the ground before her. She was a bit older. About as old as Bristle, which was roughly around the age of 40, last I checked.
She had a dark grey - almost black - coat, and a dark purple, messy mane. Her eyes were a dark purple.
"How do you know my name?" I asked, scowling.
"I'm Thorne... Bristle's sister."
Wait...
WHAT!?
Bristle had a sister!?
My jaw dropped as I stared at her, unsure of what to do. Was she good? Bad?
I lowered my guard a little.
She nodded to me before she spoke. "Something tells me we're gonna wanna drink for this."
"My sentiments exactly." I said, lowering the chair.
She smiled softly as she picked up her helmet. "Onyx, come on in. It's safe. Let's find someplace to sit and talk."


(((((((◉)))))))


The group of steel-clad ponies and I ventured further into the warehouse, grabbing a few beers along the way. There weren't any signs of hostiles, and the place was surprisingly relatively clean!
I mean... for a building that hadn't had any physical contact for over 2 generations... allegedly. I had reason to believe this place had been forgotten long ago, judging by the thick layers of dust that covered the cold, dead machinery and flooring.
We made our way up to an office on the third floor, and as I walked up the stairs with the others, I observed the new visitor referred to as 'Onyx.'
She wore Enclave armor! And she was traveling with Steel Rangers! How was that even possible!? It wasn't just for protection, either. I took a good long look at the armor plated wings. There really was a pegasus in there!
Due to the electricity being shut off here for quite some time, the entire building was dark, but with my pipbuck light, and the headlamps on the rangers, we found our way quite easily.
We sat down in what appeared to be the manager's office, back when this building was still running.
The back of Thorne's armor opened, and the grey coated mare stepped out from her protection, walked around the mahogany desk, sat in the chair, and perched her rear hooves up on the desk's surface, regarding me coolly. Cobalt and Doofus - Dipshit - stood on both sides of her.
The pegasus stepped out from her armor and slipped a black cap on her head. The hat itself bore the mark of a set of a steel wings.
She had a few deep scars in her tan coat, along her chest and barrel. Some of them even went up to her neck.
The wasteland chewed you up too, huh...?
She had hazel eyes, and a red and white mane and tail. She was young. Too young to bearing the scars she wore.
Her wing tips faded into crimson.
Her cutiemark was that of a lit-up terminal with a series of binary code covering the screen.
Dipshit and Cobalt had also slipped out of their armor to rest their haunches and stretch from the tight confines of their suits.
Cobalt had a boulder with a pickaxe stabbed into the side for a cutiemark.
Dipshit - I couldn't believe I was referring to him as that - had a laser rifle as a cutiemark.
He had a dark green coat and a dark brown mane. His eyes; a mix between blue and grey.
"So..." Thorne began, cracking open a beer against the edge of the desk as she looked at me. I noticed her cutiemark was a bush made of barbed wire; its branches made of steel. "How did you escape?"
"Who said there had to be one?" I asked, taking one of the bottles I snatched from the bottom floor and slamming the cap against the corner of the desk, popping it off in one try. I pocketed the cap. Every little bit helped. Yet, the question remained on what I was going to spend all my caps on. Mercs? Guns and ammo? A means of travel?
She gave me a wry smile, before shaking her head and taking a few large gulps from her beverage. I sat down and had a few gulps myself.
Hey, this was actually pretty good! Always loved a good stout.
She swallowed the contents in her mouth before speaking.
"You and I both know Bristle. He wouldn't let you just leave so easily." She twisted her hoof around in the air as she rolled her eyes. "Hell, it was a challenge for me alone to get out of that bunker, and I'm his sister."
I nodded and sighed.
"So, I'll ask again." She gave me a stern look as she spoke in a harsh tone. "How did you escape?"
I took another few gulps from my beer and hung my head down as I replied, my eyes glued to the ground before me. "Through a series of bad life choices that define who I am today..."
The group remained silent for a moment, and looking up, I saw they were looking at one another in confusion. The only one that didn't look puzzled, and shared sympathy in their eyes, was Thorne. She understood.
"What matters is that you're free now." She replied softly. "They can't hurt you anymore."
"I heard stories of that there bunker." Cobalt started. "Can't imagine what horrors ya went through..."
"I know of one..." Thorne muttered, tapping her hoof against her head a few times as she looked at me. "Kinda, anyways..."
"You're referring to my missing horn." I stated matter-of-factly.
She balked a moment, before closing her mouth and raising a brow. "You know...?"
I nodded. "I don't know how I lost it, but I found out quite recently that I was a unicorn at one point in my life."
She looked down at the desk between us a moment and ran her hoof along the surface gently. "I remember you with a horn. You were adorable. But... I'm afraid I don't have the answer to its disappearance either."
I sighed and took another few gulps from my beer.
"I'm sorry... I wish I knew."
"I wish I did too." I finished off the bottle, tossed it against the ground, and watched as it shattered upon hitting the surface. I grabbed another bottle and popped it open on the edge of the desk. Another cap for my collection. "So... adorable, huh?" I smirked, blushing a little before taking a drink.
Thorne chuckled softly and finished off her drink. "You were a foal. Unfortunately, I took my leave about a month after you were born. Sticking around would have been the death of me."
I nodded slowly before gulping down about half of my second bottle. "So, what are you doing around these parts?"
Thorne smiled faintly before taking her rear hooves off the desk and leaning forward a bit. "My team and I go around the wasteland, searching for scrap. Salvage what we can. Anything worth selling, so long as ponies will buy from us."
"Reckon the armor don't help none, hoss." Cobalt stated, smiling at her commander.
Thorne looked over at her with that same smile. "You're probably right, but... it is great protection. That gauss rifle would've shot your head 50-some yards clear off your body if your helmet hadn't deflected the worst of it." She turned to me and continued while Cobalt quietly, yet clearly thought about the 'what if,' judging by how quickly her smile died, and how fast her eyes grew distant. "Couple days back, bunch of caravan ponies opened fire on us at first glance."
"Shoot first, ask question never type." Onyx stated. "Gotta love that..." She flexed her right wing a bit and groaned softly. "My wing is still sore from the shrapnel of that grenade."
"Turned out their guards were armed to the teeth." Dipshit filled in. We were still calling him that? Dipshit?
"We managed to pull out of there, but not without sustaining some injury." Thorne said, folding her forearms on the desk's surface as she looked at me. "I don't like the idea of wiping out caravaneers. We're all just trying to make a living. I can't live up to the ranger's reputation."
"I admire that." I smiled softly.
She nodded faintly, smiling again. "Thanks, kid." She leaned back in her chair and grabbed another beer beside her off the ground. "We came to this place cause it looked like it hadn't yet been picked clean. We've been having troubles with our salvage runs, as of late. We were gonna hit the house south next, if you wanted to join us." She cracked her beer open, and together, we drank.
"Actually..." I started shortly after gulping down the contents in my mouth. "My friends and I are staying there for a while."
She raised a brow out of curiosity. "You're not alone?"
I shook my head, to which she raised her bottle and smiled.
"Good on ya. Never travel alone. Here's to friends."
Her and I both drank.
After she finished about half her bottle, she pulled it away from her lips and continued in a faintly slurred tone. "The house is off limits, then. I can respect that."
I smiled with nothing short of relief. "Thank you." I finished off the bottle and tossed it in my pile of broken glass, adding to my collection. After my second bottle, I was starting to feel it.
I popped open another bottle, raised it to Thorne and her group, and drank.
"So what's up with the chair?" Onyx asked, stepping forward and observing the small metal box beside me. "I've never seen tech quite like this before."
I sighed as I looked at the disappointment that was my craft. I didn't want to keep looking at it as a chair, so I kept it in its compact box instead. "To be fair, it was supposed to be a lot bigger, badder, and deadlier than what it turned out being." My hoof began to crackle softly, catching everyone's attention.
"And what's up with the cybernetics?" Onyx continued to ask.
"Don't worry. It's safe." I looked down at it as it continued to emit the red electricity. "It's tied to my emotions, and right now, I'm..." I paused, gritting my teeth. As I continued, the electrical current grew a bit more. "... annoyed that I got a chair, instead of what I desired."
"And what did ya desire?" Cobalt asked.
"Something a lot bigger." I turned to her with a dead look in my eyes. "Something to destroy Bristle and his chapter."
Thorne and her team looked to one another in silence for a moment, before turning to me again. "You want to take on Bristle?"
I nodded. "Is that a problem?"
Thorne grinned. "Hell to the no. I've wanted that fucker dead since we were kids. And if it's all the same to you, I'd be honored if I was there to see him fall."
I grinned back as some small, cold part of me was filled with joy. "Welcome aboard."
She beamed at me for a moment before Onyx continued.
"So how did you get a metal hoof that conducts red electricity, exactly?" She raised a brow, regarding me.
I looked back calmly as I spoke. "I got it shortly after a tentacle ripped my hoof off. That was right before I got throat fucked by even more tentacles. Wriggling, writhing, whipping down my throat as they released their fluids within me. Went for my nostrils, too." I took a few large gulps of my beer to try and forget about how it all tasted.
The team looked at me with dropped jaws and knitted brows.
Onyx mouthed the word, 'tentacles...?' She looked beyond horrified with what she just heard.
Dipshit broke the brief silence among us. "Y-you're kidding... Right?"
I regarded the lot of them as I spoke calmly.
"Do any of you got a smoke?"


(((((((◉)))))))


The team and I hauled a few crates full of beer as we made our way across the acreage of grassy plains, back to the two story hours. Three, if I counted the attic.
"Firebright still there?" Thorne asked, walking alongside me.
I nodded silently.
"How's she doing?"
"She's a cunt." My hoof flared up as I voiced the profanity.
Thorne went quiet for a long while after that. I felt a bit of tension grow between the two of us as all of us stayed silent in our journey back to the house.
Just as we were coming up to it, a thought occurred to me.
I spun my head around to Thorne hastily. "Would you, by any chance, happen to know of a Snow Star?"
"Snow Star?" She looked back at me behind her dark visor. "Snow Star... Snow Star... Hm... The name sounds familiar."
"She was a unicorn in the bunker. But she was banished. I've been trying to find her since."
"Oh boy..." She shook her head as she looked forward. "You do realize that if she was a unicorn banished from the bunker, then chances are she's dead."
"Maybe..." I said softly. "But I heard that she had gotten as far as Virtue all on her own. I have to try."
"Well..." Thorne paused. "Does this mare have a description to her?"
"White coat. Long, dark blue mane and tail. Probably cutiemarkless. Beautiful, crimson eyes. Does that ring a bell?"
She thought to herself a moment, before shaking her head slowly. "I'm sorry, I can't say that it does."
"Damn it..."
"But..." She continued. "If you need help with finding her, I can do what I can to help."
I raised a skeptical brow as I looked at her. "Are you sure you're related to Bristle? You're too nice to be related."
"Only by blood." She replied softly. "There's not much else there."
"HOLD IT!" Thunderwing shouted as I saw her fly over the roof of the house and land on the edge, keeping her rifles aimed down at the team. "Who sent you!?" She blurted, glaring down at them.
"Wait, Thunder!" I shouted, stepping up to the house. "Don't shoot! They're on our side!"
"Likely story! ANSWER MY QUESTION! WHO SENT YOU!?"
"T... Thunderwing...?" Onyx started to step forward.
"How do you know my name!? Did Bleeding Skies send you, that slippery fucking snake!?"
"Thunder, it's me!" Onyx shouted back, slowly removing her helmet to reveal her features. "It's me..."
She removed her helmet and set it down before her, and Thunder froze as her eyes grew wide in disbelief. "Wait... Onyx!? What in the bloody fuckin' hell are you doing here!? Are they sending my own friends to hunt me down now!?"
"N-no! No, no, no!" Onyx waved her forehooves as she shook her head. "I was on a recon mission, and we got ambushed by raiders. I was left for dead." She looked to her commander. "Thorne and her friends took me in and took care of me. I chose to stay on the surface. At least for a little bit longer." She turned back to the pegasus on the roof. "It's me, Thunder."
The Enclave fugitive turned her guns on the Steel Ranger outcasts, glaring them down. "And what about the lot of you? What's your excuse?"
The commander took a calm step forward as she continued. "My name is Thorne. I'm in charge of this group." She began to point at each individual team member of hers as she called them out. "That's Cobalt, Astral-"
"Ya mean Dipshit..." Cobalt muttered under her breath.
"Fuck you too..."
"And I guess you already know Onyx. I'm from the same bunker that Charger came from, but we're outcasts, just like him."
Thunder raised a brow as she glanced at me, then back at her. "Wait, you used to live in Bristle's bunker?"
She nodded. "I'm his sister."
Thunder slowly lowered her rifles as she continued to stare at them, softening her glare all the while. "And... you would know where the bunker is?"
She nodded again. "It's been a while, but yes. I have a general idea of where it is."
Thunderwing chuckled softly to herself as she flew down. "Well then..." She landed before the mare and reached out a hoof. They shook. "We got off to a bad start. My name's Thunderwing." She looked over at Onyx and stepped closer to her. "Sorry for... holding you at gunpoint. Thought you were to take me out or something."
"No. Never." Onyx wrapped a hoof around the Dashite and pulled her in for a warm embrace, which Thunder returned. "Unless it's out to dinner."
They both shared a small laugh for a moment.
"Missed you too, girl..." Thunder whispered in her ear.
"Thunder, for the love of Celestia..." Riot started as he stomped out through the front door of the house. "Destrier and I are trying to get some much needed rest after becoming the chew toy of a thousand starving ferals, so either shut the fuck up, or go scream somewhere el-" He stopped as he observed the new guests that quietly looked back at him. He looked at Thunderwing for a long moment, stammered as his mouth hung open, then turned around and walked back inside awkwardly, gently closing the front door behind him.
I turned to the Dashite shortly after, knowing exactly where this conversation was going to end up, and hating it just as much. But she was gonna find out sooner or later. "Hey... Thunder?"
She looked over curiously. "What?"
"We need to talk..."


(((((((◉)))))))


"YOU MADE A FUCKING CHAIR!?" She shouted as we stood in the field, away from the house. She glared down at the metal chair between us, then back up at me, as if she couldn't believe her eyes. "YOU MADE. A FUCKING. CHAIR!"
"Hey, I'm not happy about this either. Alright?" I replied in a calm manner. "This wasn't my fault. Ha-er... Para distracted me by talking about sitting down or something. I didn't want this."
Thunderwing closed her eyes and hung her head down, taking a few deep breaths. "Okay... Okay. I hear what you're saying... Just... IT'S A CHAIR..." She spoke in disgust.
"Well, the silver lining is that some of the things I had in mind for my creation are built into it, therefore still making it a weapon. I was hoping it'd be bigger, but..." I shrugged, keeping my head down. I took a deep breath of the fresh air and closed my eyes. "Thunderwing..."
"Yeah...?"
"Do you think they died for nothing...?"
There was a brief silence before she answered quietly. "I sure hope not... They were like family to me..."
"Do you..." I paused, almost afraid to ask the question, in fear of the answer. "Do you blame me...?"
More silence.
"Partly. But... I also blame myself. I thought we could have handled it. I was wrong. As a leader, I should have had better judgement. I knew what we were walking into, but I still went through with it. I really thought we could all make it through. See, the difference between you and me as leaders is that you're not as experienced in being one. And you're relatively new to the surface. So you don't know as much as I do. I've seen that area of Portlandia before. So I knew... And instead of trying to stop us from walking into a trap, I ended up... paying the price. And now two of my friends are dead. We all nearly died..."
She shuddered softly for a moment, before I felt two hooves and wings tightly wrap around my body. Caught by surprise, I stiffened up a moment, before loosening a little and hugging her back. Her muzzle pressed into my mane as she sobbed.
"I forgive you, Charger... But I can never forgive myself..."
I gently stroked my hoof through her mane as we sat there in the field of green.
She nuzzled my neck gently, before sniffling and backing up a bit to rub her eyes free of the tears. She cleared her throat and looked at me, speaking in a broken tone of voice. "Thank you, Charger..."
"For what?" I asked, raising a brow.
"For being there for me."
I smiled wanly as I regarded her. "I'm glad to help, Thunder."
She let out a deep, shaky sigh as she closed her eyes and hung her head down. "Let's just hope this chair actually proves to be useful."
I nodded as I turned to the weapon. "It takes microfusion cells for ammo."
She smiled softly as she looked to me again. "Good to know. I'll give you some to work with when we get back." With that, she stood up and stretched her wings. "Let's get back there and start planning ahead on what we're gonna do next."
I stood up and mentally folded the chair back into its compartment. "Clearly, we need to."
I grabbed the box and proceeded back to the house, walking alongside Thunder. For a while, things between us were quiet. A good quiet, though. I didn't think there was any tension between us now. If there was, there wasn't a whole lot of it. We were starting to open up to each other more. We still had a ways to go, but we were making progress.
"Hey... Thunder?"
I suddenly felt a wing wrap around my back, and I looked over to see Thunder was smiling softly. I could tell she was still sad. But she was trying to shed light on a difficult time.
I glanced over my shoulder for a moment as her pinions lightly caressed my side.
"Hey, Charger?" She looked over and stepped closer to me. Our sides were lightly pressed up against each other.
"Uh..." I paused for a moment as my eyes stayed locked with hers. Eventually, I closed them and turned away. "Can I... tell you something?"
"Duh." She nudged my shoulder with a hoof.
I nodded and took a deep breath, trying to mentally prepare myself from not having a breakdown. "When I died... back at the weapons depot... I... I went somewhere."
She raised a brow as she looked at me. "Oh?"
"I saw the inside of the battery. I saw the souls trapped inside. And... well..." I hung my head down. "Do you think if the soul is left bare, we see someone for who they really are...? Like, who exactly they were in their former body?"
She looked up for a moment, pondering the idea. "I mean... it makes sense. Why?"
"... I'm a unicorn..." I muttered, before rubbing my eyes, trying to resist the burn of tears.
"Wait, what...?" She balked.
I stopped walking and looked at her. My heart was pounding...
She stopped and looked back at me, taking her wing off my back.
I sat on my haunches and whimpered, planting my face in both hooves. "When I was in the battery, I had a horn. And my talk with Thorne at the factory over there helped confirm that I was a unicorn." I pointed at the large building in the distance. "I was raised to believe that I was just a weak, sorry excuse of an earth pony. I don't know what happened to my horn, Thunder." I looked at her, on the edge of tears. "I don't know why I don't even have a scar, or anything that could hint that I'm a unicorn... But everywhere I turn for answers, I keep hitting dead ends! And I don't know what to-"
I was cut off when she unexpectedly put the tip of her hoof to my lips, and wrapped both wings around me.
"Shh..." She whispered, before pulling me closer to her.
My breath became shallow as my tears broke free. Damn it, I didn't want to be crying at the pony that needed the emotional support! Fuck! I couldn't even be a shoulder to cry on right!
I sobbed and shuddered uncontrollably as I wrapped both hooves around her tightly.
"I don't even know who I am!" I blurted behind snotty tears.
"One broken pony to another..." She whispered in my ear, before pulling away a bit to gaze into my eyes. "Make the most out of what ya got." Then, another surprise came as she gently placed her lips to my forehead for a moment, kissing softly. When she pulled away, there was a soft, caring smile on her features as she looked into my eyes.
I swallowed as I closed my eyes and shuddered, hanging my head down. I began wiping my tears away. I had to force myself to stop. This was something I needed to do in my own time. Not right now...
"I'm sorry you had to see that..." I chuckled faintly.
"You saw me cry. I'd say we're even." She smirked, tilting her head to the side a little. "You're all good, Charger. Based off what you just told me, I'd say you're handling this pretty well."
I looked over at the house in the distance and sighed. "Let's get back to the house. We have some planning to do."


(((((((◉)))))))


About half a minute or so away from the house, the front door burst open, and Onyx ran out in a panic. She looked over at the two of us and shouted. "Get over here! Quick!"
The two of us wasted no time running the rest of the way. The closer I got, the more I started to notice a lot of shouting going on inside the house. And... one of the screams were that of a filly... in pain...
My hoof burst with electricity as fear grew for Fluky.
I rushed into the living room to see the group standing close to the walls or exits, while Fluky lied in the center of the living room, twisting around and screaming as black spewed from her lips.
No, no, NO!
Happy sat by her side, trying to hold her. He looked up at me in worry.
"IT HURTS!" She screamed as she flailed about.
I rushed to her other side. "What happened?" I asked, looking around in a panic.
"She was fine one second." Thorne stated. "She said she felt funny, then dropped and started screaming."
"Then that weird black stuff came out." Cobalt finished, grimacing.
The zebra was muttering something to himself in his native tongue, but I didn't know that language. It was forbidden in the bunker.
"Tuner, why is this happening?" I asked desperately as I observed her.
"Well, you infected her, for starters." He answered through the radio.
"Yeah, no shit!" A pebble struck me in the ear, and I glared at Happy. "But why is it hurting her?"
"I'm a DJ, not a doctor."
"Goddess fu-" Pebble. "Dam-" Pebble.
My hoof flared up more from the intrusions, and I slammed one of Happy's hooves as I glared at him further. "THANKS FOR NOTHING!" I looked down at Fluky and carefully slid my forehoof under her head. "You're gonna be okay. Just hang on."
"I can't!" She blurted as tears washed down her face, mixing in with the black and staining her coat. "It hurts!"
I looked up at Oku. "Do we have anymore of those health potions?"
He nodded, staring from me to her, to me again.
"Get me some."
He nodded again, then retreated for the room that Thunder and her team had been occupying for the past day.
I looked back down at the filly. "Hold on, Flukes. You're gonna be okay. I pro-"
Before I could finish my sentence, she heaved, and as more black oozed from her mouth, a set of tendrils slid out. She began screaming in terror, shaking as they whipped around violently.
"Sweet fucking Celestia!" Thorne blurted. Her and her team kept their guns on Fluky, but they didn't open fire. "Are those the tentacles you spoke of!?"
I shook my head before turning to Happy. "Hold her down!"
He nodded and pressed his forehooves down on her shoulders. She fought, screaming as more tentacles began sliding out of her. Tears soaked her face.
Despite the weather being clear outside a few minutes ago, I heard the rolls of thunder closing in. Lightning began to flash outside, and rain pounded against the house we resided in. The land outside grew dark.
"Hold still!" I shouted as I grabbed some of the tendrils. At once, they wrapped around my hooves, allowing me to pull on them easier.
Oku stepped back inside the living room carrying several health potions on his back, before stopping in the doorway, watching silently as I worked on removing the creature that was trapped within Fluky. His jaw dropped a moment before he started rambling in his native tongue, looking disturbed with what was displayed before him.
Within a manner of seconds, that same creature I regurgitated back in Saddle slid out from her throat. It writhed around, staying glued to my hoof. Fluky gasped for air, trying to back away from the tendrils that whipped around at her, hitting her in the face a few times.
Once I brought it out of reach, it diverted its course and started to run up my arm, shrieking.
I threw it against the wall, but once it hit the ground, it scurried off towards the rangers in a zig-zag motion, raising two tendrils up like that of a spider when it gave warning to back off.
The lot of them opened fire at the specimen. It didn't take very much for it to burn away from the weaponized laser energy.
The lot of us stared down at the fried pile of tentacles in silence for a short while, trying to collect our thoughts. Dipshit - otherwise known as Astral - broke the silence first.
"What in the hell just happened!?" Pebble. "What the fuck was that thing!?" Another pebble.
"A thing of nightmares." Thunder replied, looking at me with a flat stare. "You infected Fluky?"
"I-I didn't mean to!" I balked.
"Who else is infected?" Her brows knitted.
"Infected with what...?" Onyx asked with concern.
Happy grinned and raised a hoof. "Yo."
Thunder looked to him for a moment, before turning back to me. "Petiole too?"
I shook my head. "Not to my knowledge, but he's infected with something else. Hence the armor he never takes off. I think he's trying to keep it contained."
Thunder planted her face in a hoof and sighed. "If I find any of my team dripping black, or have tentacles coming out of them, I'm coming after you."
"What infection?" Onyx reiterated.
"It's complicated." Thunder and I both said simultaneously, still looking to one another.
I finally tore my eyes away to look down at Fluky as she whimpered. "I think it's over..." I said softly, caressing her cheek with a hoof.
She nodded, still whimpering as she looked up at me. I gently ran my hoof along her lips, wiping some of the black goo off her. "Do you need any health potions?"
She shook her head. "N-no... I think I'm okay."
I noticed that the storm outside was very short lived, for the rain had ceased completely, and the thunder and lightning were no more. The land outside was bright again.
I nodded. "Para, can you get her cleaned up?"
He nodded in response and helped her up, heading for the tub outside.
I sighed and looked at the surrounding party, before taking a seat on the couch. "I guess I have some explaining to do."


(((((((◉)))))))


After a lengthy conversation about everything I had gone through in all the time I spent in the wasteland - including the not-so-fun experiences where I helped shoot up an entire settlement for a stupid generator - the party stared in bafflement, with the exception of Thunderwing, Riot, and Destrier.
Through my storytelling, I discovered my teeth were starting to ache for some reason...
My saddle bags rested on the floor next to the couch I sat on.
Happy and Fluky came in about halfway, but I had already gotten past the whole story of Saddle, so she didn't have to relive that whole moment again.
"So you blew up Saddle by detonating a Stable's nuclear reactor?" Thorne asked, raising a brow.
"Forget that!" Cobalt exclaimed. "There's another you out there, walkin' 'round with static eyes!?"
"I'm more curious on your death." Onyx filled in. "And your experience with the others in this... battery..." She looked to Para's radio.
"He is cursed." Oku stated. "Cursed from the stars."
Thorne rolled her eyes and shook her head, looking at Cobalt and tapping a forehoof to her temple. She crossed her eyes and let her tongue hang out from her mouth.
Oku looked over, glaring. "You ponies are all the same. Ignorant. Skeptics. But I mean what I say when the stars have ill intent on us and want nothing more than to see us dead as a whole. They helped kill our world off a few times now. They helped with the day of fire, but they know they failed their main goal. And now they're sending their plagues on us." He pointed at the dead creature that remained on the living room floor.
"What tribe are you again?" Thorne smiled mirthlessly as she regarded him again. "Propoli? Mendi? Starkatteri?"
Oku gasped, before glaring at her. "Achu."
"Bless you." Happy smirked, to which Oku turned his glare on him. "What? It sounded like you sneezed."
He turned back to Thorne, purposefully ignoring Happy's statement. "I resent you thinking of me as Starkatteri. They are a blight on this world."
"They're all the same to me." Thorne muttered, biting her lip in frustration.
"Enough." I stood up quickly, glaring at her. "You're not better than Bristle if you treat zebras like a lesser being."
Thorne tensed up as she regarded me, but then sighed and nodded. "Yeah... Right." She turned back to Oku. "Sorry. Just... our past history and all..."
Oku softened his glare and nodded. "I understand." He held out a hoof. "Can we make peace?"
She took his hoof and shook it gently. "Yes."
He smiled softly before turning to me. "I suppose I am cursed, too."
"What makes you say that?" I tilted my head, raising a brow.
"Because I have heard what the messengers of the stars, and the demons that serve them have had to say."
"Messenger of the stars?"
"I think he's referring to you." Thunderwing stated, looking at me.
"Oh... I'm just a normal pony."
"Cause normal is when you have tentacles as a physical part of you." She smiled faintly, though I could tell she was still rather disturbed.
"I was also referring to the one you call Hollow." Oku filled in. "She is... different. Even from you."
"She is rather strange..." I muttered. "What do you know about her?"
"Not very much. But she had helped me on my journey to the west. She has the horn of a unicorn, but the skill of an Achu fighter."
"Bless you." Happy grinned.
Oku deadpanned at him for a moment, before continuing. "Do not disrespect the name of my tribe. Know where your words lie."
I turned to the wingless pegasus and tapped his shoulder. "No more of that."
He shrugged, but kept his smile up.
I turned back to Oku. "Regardless, it's interesting... Have you seen under her armor?"
He shook his head. "No. She's yet to show her true self to me. And you, it seems. She's been helpful, but to fully trust someone, they must first remove their masks."
I nodded in agreement.
Thorne began rubbing her chin, looking down as her brows knitted.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Hm?" She looked up at me and put her hoof down. "Oh, nothing. Just... thinking." She smiled faintly. "Alright, so what are we gonna do with this Bristle situation? It sounds like he wants that battery really bad. And if it's really as bad as you say it is, then we need to make sure he never gets his hooves on it."
"So you're on board on trying to wipe his chapter out?" Thunder grinned.
Thorne looked over and smirked. "I've always wanted to kill him, but now I have more reason to do it. It's not just a revenge kick now. It's for the fate of Equus." She turned her smile over to me.
I sat back down on the couch, looking at Thunderwing. "I think we should wait... We need more resources before we push for something like that..." I hung my head down. "We made the mistake of going into something big unprepared yesterday, and it almost cost us everything. Two of Thunder's team were killed. Fluky almost got killed... and now she's infected with a virus that's doing Celestia knows what to her..."
Thunder frowned and hung her head down, and Fluky curled up in a ball, looking away from me. She was holding her teddy bear close to her chest.
"We need to wait until we know we're ready to take Bristle on."
Thorne nodded. "We're ready whenever you are. No matter how long it takes. We can wait."
I nodded back. "Thank you."
"I am willing to help." Oku stated.
"Great." I stood up once more to stretch. "Let's follow up on this tomorrow. Give ourselves some time to brainstorm."
"Sounds like a plan." Thorne said, before making her way outside. Her team began to follow, with the exception of Onyx, who stared at my saddle bags.
Happy and Fluky went upstairs to the bedroom that she had occupied, and Riot helped navigate Destrier back to the infirmary Oku had prepared for them in the other room.
All that remained was me, Thunderwing, and her friend, Onyx. Thunder looked at her, then at me, before going to her again.
"What's wrong?"
She pointed a hoof at my bags. "What's up with the glow?"
I looked down to see there was a soft white glow emanating from within. I opened the flap and pulled out the memory orb that was given to me in Virtue, from Para. Presumably the same memory orb I had found in the safe in Saddle.
"Oh!" She quickly trotted up to me. "Can I see that? I found a little trick out about these things. A way for all races to be able to see into these, instead of just unicorns."
I handed it over, and she began to fish around in her saddle bags, until she pulled out a headpiece.
"This is probably a stupid question, but have you already seen inside?" She asked as she tampered with the two devices.
"No."
"Do you want to?" She looked up at me, all while keeping her head down.
"Yes."
"Then today is your lucky day." She beamed at me. "Hold still." With that, she slid the headset on me and pulled out a small tablet from her bags, before clicking on the screen a few times. "You may wanna lay down." She smiled sheepishly. "Entering these things kinda makes you black out."
I got back on the couch and did as I was recommended. She looked back down at her tablet, typing something in.
"Okay... we got a hoofshake. Everything's synced. You ready?"
"Is this safe...?" Thunder asked, stepping up beside her.
She snorted and looked over at her friend. "Did you forget who I am while you've been down here?"
Thunder rubbed her hoof nervously as she sat down beside her. "Right... Sorry."
"You worry too much." Onyx said, booping her muzzle with a hoof before going back to the tablet. "Alright, Charger. You ready? You won't be able to leave the memory orb until the memory is finished playing. You're going to feel everything the pony that owned this memory felt at this time. Usually it's something like an every day activity. Sometimes it's a sex trip. Sometimes, a government conspiracy. The lack of labels makes it a mystery." She bit her lip nervously. "Though... I've heard rumors that some people never wake up when they enter them. Some sort of trap that puts them in a coma or something... I haven't come across it myself, but... I could see something like that existing." She looked at me for a moment in worry. "Are... you sure you wanna do this?"
I nodded, remembering the note that was labeled 'Happy' underneath the orb when I first found it. If this was the same orb, then it wasn't a trap. "Yeah, I'm ready... Let's do this."
Thunder and her looked to each other for a moment, before Onyx took a deep breath and hit a button on her tablet.
"Here we go..." She muttered.
The world went black as my body warped to another place in another time. My body; morphing into a different size and shape.


(((((((◉)))))))


I found myself in the body of a pegasus. A wingless pegasus, actually. I could feel the bandaged stubs. That right there was a dead giveaway on whose body I was occupying in this memory.
He wore a black overcoat that I had only seen in wanted posters, but there wasn't a hat to accompany him.
The landscape was a dark red, and the sky, the color of blood. There was a harmonious choir that bellowed across the decayed landscape.
A strong wind rushed past not just the body, but the soul itself. Had I been in my own body, my skin may as well have crawled just from the feeling.
The trees were dead and withered; nothing more than brittle bones of that which once held a beauty.
Everything was wrong here. More wrong than the wasteland, and that was saying something.
Yet... at the same time, this all seemed familiar.
Had I not encountered a similar sight back in Saddle, after I had my guts torn open from a machine?
My host was focused on a shack not so far away from where he stood. It was in shambles, but the doors and windows had been boarded up. A long time ago, by the looks of it.
He began to trot towards the structure calmly. I could feel a grin creep up on his face. While I could feel what he felt, I couldn't hear what he was thinking. I guess memory orbs didn't work that way.
He began to hum the tune to the little song he sang the first time I saw him kill someone. He came to a stop at the door, before gently tapping on it with a hoof, which I had just noticed was covered in the blood of someone else.
"Come on out!" He said in a cheerful tone. "You're missing the wonderful weather!"
"Piss off!" A mare from within the confines the walls offered shouted.
At once, several gunshots pierced through the wooden door he stood before. A sharp pain grew in my shoulder, but he didn't flinch or show any sign of pain whatsoever. But Goddess damn, did it hurt!
"Don't yell." Happy said, keeping his smile up. "It's rude." He continued to knock on the door, before speaking again. "You have something of mine, and I'd very much like it back."
"Stay the fuck away from me, you psychopath!" The mare inside the small, boarded up shack shouted behind hot tears. "Just leave me alone!"
Happy paused for a moment, before looking up at the blood sky. The vortex I had seen way back in Saddle hovered in the distance, but I didn't see nearly as many of those white orbs of light getting sucked in as I did the first time I had witnessed it. It was gradually crawling closer to Happy's destination, and I began to notice the haunting choir that I initially thought was the wind rushing past was growing louder too.
He looked back at the door as he placed his hoof gently upon its surface. His smile faltered as he spoke. "You're suffering. I can relieve you of your pain. Let me help you feel happy again."
At once, he repeatedly slammed his hooves against the door. With each blow, splinters flew off the barrier that kept him from the terrified pony inside.
She cried out as he began breaking through. I could see her through the cracks; a silver coated mare with a rifle aimed at the entrance. Or exit, in her case.
Blood had stained her coat and light purple mane, and I took notice that she was bleeding from her rear left hoof.
"SWEET CELESTIA, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" She screamed as tears washed down her face.
Once the door was weakened enough, he rammed his body through and stood in the doorway. Wooden chips lied around him that once resembled the planks that helped fortify the door he just obliterated.
Bullets whizzed past, but in her panic, none of them hit her target. Her gun clicked after the fourth pull of the trigger, but despite the lack of ammo, she tried relentlessly to blast Happy with lead.
Meanwhile, he remained in the doorway, smiling at her. "Don't worry." He spoke softly as he approached in a calm manner.
"No..." She threw the rifle at him and backed up against the wall. The rifle slid along the ground before stopping at his hooves. He proceeded to step over it. "Just leave me alone..."
"The worst part is over..." His grin widened as he regarded her. Her pale pink eyes looked into his as tears continued to flow.
"Why are you doing this?"
"It's why I'm here." He responded simply.
She lunged herself off the wall and began to dart past him for the exit, but before I could even register, he grabbed her by the neck with one hoof and slammed her down into the ground. She choked and gasped for air as her windpipe had been crushed, holding her throat with both hooves. Blood spewed from her lips as she lied there, struggling to move or breathe.
She whimpered and cried out as Happy caressed the side of her face, wiping some of the blood from his hoof onto her coat. He inched closer to her muzzle.
"Shhh..." He whispered with a soft smile. "All I really need's a smile, smile, smile." He said in a soft, singing tone. "Fill my heart up with sunshine, sunshine." He grabbed a broken shard of glass off the floor and pressed the edge to the corner of her mouth, moving up her cheek as he sawed through her face. "All I really need's a smile, smile, smile from all these happy friends of miiiine!" He continued to sing as she cried out in pain. Blood leaked from the large gash in her cheek.
He stopped cutting through her cheek - and evidently, some of her tongue - when he reached her temple. By then, he moved on to the other side. Shortly after, did her eyes grow distant, and her body still. Her voice ceased, and she went limp.
He proceeded to hum the tune to the song he was singing earlier, all the while.
When he reached the temple on the other side of her head, he dropped the shard that her blood dripped from and observed his handiwork with a proud smile of his own. He pulled out a yellow smiley face sticker and pressed it to her chest after.
His attention went to a corner of the room, where a severely damaged set of bloodstained leather barding sat.
The choir was rising, and he looked back down at her as a white orb began to slowly rise from her chest and ascend to the ceiling. He patted her lifeless body on the shoulder and stood up on all fours, before making his way to the armor.
Lying beside it, on the aged wood-planked flooring was a bronze compass. He opened the lid, still humming softly to himself. The needle was pointing east, roughly.
He picked it up and held it in one hoof, still observing it. At that moment, the needle went up a bit, pointing him off to the northeast.
He closed the compass, stored it safely in a pocket in his black overcoat, and looked up as the orb began to phase through the ceiling.
"I'm almost there."


(((((((◉)))))))


I awoke on the couch, and opening my eyes, I stared up at the ceiling. Thunderwing was gone, but Onyx stayed, keeping an eye on the instruments to make sure everything was working right.
I noticed my teeth weren't aching anymore.
I took the device off my head and reached it out to her. She took it and began putting her equipment back in her bags.
"Well, that was..." I sat up and rubbed my eyes. "Needlessly graphic..."
"What did you see?" She asked, looking me over.
I rubbed the back of my neck and hung my head down, sighing. "Nothing good... Do you know anything about the Killer Grin? Happy?"
She raised a brow. "Should I?"
"If you're down here with the rest of us, then you may as well." I looked back at her as I leaned my back against the couch. "Happy is-"
"Uh, wait... Hold on..." She moved closer to me, looking down at my mouth. "Can you open?"
"Why?"
"Just really quick... I thought I saw something..."
Hesitantly, I opened my mouth, and she used her hooves to move my lips away from my teeth.
"Hm... That's odd." She backed up, looking back up into my eyes as she took her hooves off me.
"What's odd?" I gave her a weird look.
"You have fangs."
"I do?" I used my tongue to feel around my teeth, and low and behold, there they were. Two fangs on my upper row of teeth. "Where did those come from?"
"Your guess is as good as mine." She shrugged.
Happy trotted down the stairs, glancing at Onyx and I. He nodded to us with a smile, before leaving the house.
I'd have to figure out the fang thing later... The sooner I warned wasteland newbies about the Killer Grin, the better chance they had at surviving.
I shook my head and closed my eyes. "Nevermind that right now. Back on topic. The Killer Grin is a psychopath from before the bombs. But he survived, and he's still out there... Somewhere. Still killing ponies. He's dangerous. And if you see him, then run the other way. Or better yet, fly."
"I don't even know what he looks like."
"There's wanted posters all over the northwest of him. Won't be hard to find one."
"You seem scared of him." She replied, keeping her eyes on mine.
"After what I just saw... I have every right to be. Everything was in disorder and chaos. And I witnessed one of his victims." I shuddered and closed my eyes, holding myself.
"Hey, hey now." She patted me on the back. "You're okay." She paused as she slowly took her arm off me, then resumed. "The Enclave don't really focus too much on anything the surface has to offer, so it's no real surprise I never heard of him. But, I mean... All ponies are dangerous killers now. That's just life..."
Thunderwing trotted in from the infirmary, looking at her friend. "Onyx, do you have a minute? I need help with something."
Onyx looked back and nodded. "Yeah, of course." She got up and looked back at me. "You gonna be okay, Charger?"
I nodded and gave her a forced smile. "Yeah. Don't worry about me. I'm fine."
Hesitantly, she nodded back and trotted over to Thunder. They disappeared back into the infirmary. I still didn't know what that room was originally. I didn't bother looking.
I wasn't going to find out at this exact moment, either. I was gonna give them their privacy.
I stood up and stretched, before heading for the front door. Upon opening it, I began to trot out, but I was stopped dead in my tracks when I discovered Happy waiting on the other side, looking into my eyes. His lips were curled into a mischievous smirk.
"W-what are you doing, Happy?" I kept my volume low.
He nodded his head to his right before walking in the same direction. Warily, I followed close behind.
The sun was starting to tuck itself underneath the vast ocean in the distance. How long was I out?
"I take it you've seen the memory orb?" He asked calmly, glancing back at me.
"I... yeah, why?"
"It means you're ready." We walked across the field towards the cliffside.
"Ready for what?"
There was silence for a moment between us, but as we stopped at the edge of the cliff, looking down at the ocean as it slammed mercilessly against the rocks below, he started again.
"It certainly is a lovely sight." He sat down, watching the sunset.
I sat beside him, looking around. "Happy..."
"Hm?" He tilted his head to me a little, but kept his eyes locked on the view.
"What exactly do you see...?"
He scoffed and shook his head.
"What color is the sk-"
"What do you think you saw in that memory orb?" Happy interrupted.
"I saw needless killing." I said quickly; my brows knitting. "I saw one of your victims, and what you do to them. I saw a decayed landsc-"
"We are saviors." Happy replied back hastily. "How can you not see that we are ridding this world of pain? Do not be like them, Charger." He turned to me finally, gritting his teeth. "It is by our hooves that we make this world better."
"Torturing and killing ponies isn't making the world better, Happy." I snapped. My hoof began to build up a charge. "It's making things worse."
"Open your eyes. The rest of the world is asleep. Don't be like them." He glared at me. "We have a job to do. So wake up, and get to work."
I rolled my eyes and looked away from him, trying to ignore all this bullshit. "Why did you bring me out here? So you can kill me, too?"
He paused, and looking back at him upon no response, his look softened. "Charger... No." He sighed and put a hoof on my shoulder, looking into my eyes and smiling softly. "We need each other." He shook his head. "I don't kill, for the record. I release ponies from their pain. I make them happy. And no. I didn't bring you out here to release you. Not yet. You have a job to do, as do I. No..." He reached into his pocket and pulled the compass out. He held it out to me. "I brought you out here for this. It's of no use to me now."
Reluctantly, I took the compass and opened the lid. The needle pointed off roughly to the east, despite facing west.
"Well, what does it do? It's obvious by now it's not a normal compass. What is it pointing me towards?"
Happy smiled brighter as he regarded me. "What you seek. What you truly seek."
I looked back down at the compass.
East...
There were only three things I knew of that I was looking for. Bristle, the bunker, and Snow Star. But what was I seeking out the most...? I didn't rightly know...
But the compass did.
I looked back up at Happy. "I have a question..."
"Shoot."
"What is that vortex in the sky?"
He looked up over the ocean for a long while, before returning to me. "I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that question. I've never really looked too deep into it. It just follows me around sometimes. I help it. It helps me." He looked over his shoulder soon after. "Heya, Fluky!"
I looked behind me to see Fluky approaching us slowly and quietly. Happy waved at her, and she smiled softly at him.
She sat between Happy and I, looking out at the ocean that reflected the sun's light across its tide.
Happy wrapped an arm around her shoulder and placed a kiss atop her head.
Fluky smiled a little more at the contact, before looking up at him. "Hey, Para... Can I have some time alone with Robutt? I need to talk to him..."
He paused for a moment, looking from me to her, to me again. "Yeah, of course." He stood up and stretched. "Take it easy, Fluky." He patted her on the head and trotted back to the house.
I placed the compass to my left, away from her sight.
Her eyes stayed locked with mine for a long while. Nothing was said between us. We just... stared at each other.
I opened my mouth to say something after what felt like a minute had gone by. "Fluky, I-"
"Shh..." She moved closer and put her hoof to my lips. "Please..." She spoke in whispers, keeping her eyes on mine all the while. I noticed they were starting to well up with pent up tears.
I ran my hooves along her shoulders as I kept my eyes on hers, and her lips began to tremble. I knew what was coming.
I pulled her in, pressing her to my chest, and at that exact moment, she broke down. Her hooves wrapped tightly around my form, clinging to me as if her life depended on it.
I put one hoof on the back of her head, while the other stayed around her back. "Let it out..." I whispered; my muzzle pressed to the top of her head.
Her shoulders bounced with each sob, and I noticed her inhales sounded labored. "Slow breaths, slow breaths..."
I lost track of how long we sat there, holding each other, but by the time Fluky had started to gradually calm down, a little more than half of the sun was underneath the ocean.
"Am..." She sniffled and pulled her snotty muzzle off my chest, looking apologetic for a moment once she noticed she stained my coat. "Am I really infected with whatever that... thing was inside me...? Is it true you really infected me...?"
I sighed and looked down at her. "I'm so sorry, Fluky... I never meant for this to happen. I swear." My answer was starting to make her quiver as she held back another wave of tears. "I don't know for sure if you're actually infected. Have you felt you needed to puke a lot lately?"
She thought for a moment, before shaking her head. "N-no..."
I smiled softly and caressed her cheek with a hoof. "Then let's look at that as a good omen. Alright?"
"M-mhm..." She nodded faintly and looked down at my chest, wiping her hooves along the snot-stained area. She giggled softly and shook her head. "I'm sorry I made a mess. This whole thing was just silly."
I put a hoof underneath her chin and lifted her head up to have her look me in the eyes. "No, Flukes. Your feelings are never silly."
She froze for a moment as she regarded me, blushing a little. "D-don't call me that..." She looked as if she were contemplating something, before sitting up straight, wrapping her forehooves around the back of my neck, and placing her lips against my cheek. She pulled away after a few seconds, smiling softly.
I smiled back at her and patted her on the head as she looked up at me.
She looked down at the ground, and her horn lit up faintly. That same aura of magic grew around her saddle bags, and after about five seconds, the flaps were folded back. Two Everfrees were slowly levitated out. Every so often, her telekinetic grasp would slip, and the bottles would plummet back down, but she managed to catch it before that happened.
She levitated one bottle of the stout to me, before it plopped down on the ground at my hooves, and dropped the other to my right, before taking a seat there. She nuzzled my side as she sat there, staying close to me.
"Your magic is getting better." I stated.
"I've been trying to teach myself for some time. Petiole's been helping me since we arrived here. While he was here, I mean." She pulled the teddy bear from Stable 32 out of her saddle bags and snuggled with it.
"Petiole... the racist." I chuckled and shook my head. "I'm glad he's helping you out with that. Bit of an unusual choice in terms of help, but I won't judge."
She levitated her bottle and closed her eyes, gritting her teeth. "Come on... Open already." She muttered behind clenched teeth. Sweat began to form on her brow, and she slumped over, giving a resigned sigh as the bottle fell from her grasp.
I picked up my bottle and smiled over at her. "You know what this is, right?"
She glanced at the bottle, then looked at me. "Isn't it a soda?"
I chuckled softly and pressed the cap against the edge of my metal hoof, before slamming down on it and popping it open. I held it out to her. "Try a sip."
She took the bottle with both hooves, examined it and its label, then took a sniff at the top. She scrunched her muzzle and backed away from it a bit. "Whoa... It smells funny."
"Just try it. It's safe."
She looked to me, then back at the bottle before taking a small sip from it. Her eyes went wide, and she pulled away, holding the bottle out as she spat and shuddered. "Blegh! What is that nasty stuff!? I didn't know it was possible for soda to go bad!"
I took the bottle from her, laughing softly at her reaction. I took a few gulps from it.
"How are you drinking that disgusting stuff?" She balked.
"It ain't soda." I responded softly, smiling at her. "It's beer. Glorious, delicious beer."
"There's something wrong with your taste buds then. Is that something that happens to adults? You all just become dummies when it comes to flavor?"
I laughed a little. "Yeah, perhaps. I thought you knew what alcohol was, though. Back at the motel in Saddle, you gave me a bottle to either drink or use on my injuries."
"Beer bottles are different..." A look of regret grew on her features, and her ears wilted as she turned to watch the sunset. "I'm... sorry for saying that stuff to you, Robutt."
"Don't call me that." I smirked.
She looked over, but upon seeing my expression, she smirked back and lightly pushed my shoulder with both hooves. "Never." She paused and looked back across the ocean. "I don't mean all the things I said to you back there. All my thoughts. Me wanting you dead... I take it all back. You're a good pony. You're a butt. But you're still good. It'll take me some time to forgive you, but... I don't want to hold a grudge anymore..."
I sighed as regret washed over me. "Fluky, I'm not good... I've done things. I don't deserve forgiveness. From anypony."
She looked up at me. "Petiole told me what you had to do, back at the bunker. I most certainly don't agree with it, but I'm not sure it makes you bad. You were just trying to stay alive. You're a good pony that was put through an unfortunate situation."
"Fluky, please don't... Don't treat me like I'm the victim. Face it... I'm a monster."
"I thought so too, at first. But I'm starting to see you for who you really are now. You're just as much a victim as the ponies you've killed. So long as you don't have any intention of needless killings like at the bunker, then that's what matters."
"Of course I don't..." I looked down at her, to which she nodded.
"Then you're alright." She scooted closer to me and leaned her head against my side. I wrapped my right forehoof around her shoulder.
For the rest of the day, we sat there together on the cliffside; watching the sun descend into the ocean. Admiring the beautiful view that most ponies probably haven't seen in all of two generations. We didn't say much to each other from there. We mostly just seemed comfortable with each other's company.
For the first time in quite some time, both our days ended on a good note.
Together.
> Channel 002.1; Titan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"After all, nopony has ever come to our village and wanted to leave. Why should you be any different?"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Waves crashed in the distance. Seagulls called to each other through the air. Gusts of wind blew past the house, making its bones groan softly. The sun's light beamed through the window, striking my face.
I winced and turned my head away to shelter myself from the intrusion that light had to offer. I wasn't a morning pony, if I could help it. I wanted to sleep in.
Upon turning, I felt a small filly in the same bed as I, snoozing quietly. I cracked my eyes open and smiled softly at her. I ran my hoof through her mane gently, as to not disturb her.
Her green, bedhead of a mane sheltered her violet eyes from the world.
Due to the blinds, the room was cast in a soft, golden glow. When was the last time I awoke in such a relaxing setting? This... this might have actually been my very first time.
She stretched her limbs out and yawned, before brushing her mane out from her view. She looked at me and smiled faintly. "Morning, Robutt."
Woops... I might have woken her up. "Sleep well?" I asked in a whisper, caressing her cheek.
She nodded. "Mhm. You?"
"I did."
Her smile widened a little more as she regarded me for a short while, before moving in and snuggling up. She nuzzled into my chest and closed her eyes again.
"Warm..." She muttered.
I resumed petting her mane as I kept my other hoof around her back.
"Let's go get some breakfast..." I whispered in her ear, to which she clung tighter. I laughed softly under my breath.
"No..." She said in a cute, playful tone. "Can we just, like, get breakfast in bed or something? We need a lazy day."
I placed a kiss atop her head and smiled warmly. "That sounds amazing, Fluky. But we gotta get out of bed at some point."
She looked up into my eyes with her cute smile. "Doesn't mean it has to be now. Breakfast can wait."
I gave a resigned sigh and nodded slightly. "Alright."
"Yee!" She beamed at me and continued to rest her head on my chest, over my heart. "Thanks, Robutt!"
I chuckled. "Don't mention it, Flukes."
"And don't call me that!"
"Don't call me Robutt."
"Never!" She continued in her playful tone. "I hereby dub thee, 'Royal Robutt.'"
"Oh yeah?" I grinned, looking down at her.
"Yeah!"
"Well, how about I go ahead and make a cereal called Frosted Flukes?"
She balked as she looked up at me. "No!"
"Yes!" I pinned her on her back and blew a raspberry on her tummy. She was thrown into a fit of laughter as she thrashed around.
"Ha ha ha, Ro-Robutt, nooooo!" She continued to giggle uncontrollably as she fought to get away. But her efforts were futile. "St-stop it! Ha ha ha, stohahahahap!"
I began running the tips of my hooves around her torso, poking and tickling her as her fits of laughter grew in volume.
"Y-you're so mean!" She managed to get out between her giggle fit. "I h-h-hate you! Stop it! Ha ha ha ha!"
I started to settle down, laughing a bit myself as I looked down at her. She slowly began to regain her composure as she looked up at me, smiling.
"Frosted Flukes." I started. "Part of a balanced and nutritious breakfast. It's heart healthy." I grinned and winked.
"You're a royal butt." She tapped her hoof to my muzzle, to which I scrunched it. "A royal robutt."
I stuck my tongue out playfully, and she did it right back. We both shared a small laugh afterwards.
Her laugh was short lived when she broke into a coughing fit. I got silent and looked down at her.
She shook her head as she tried her best to speak through the coughing. "Don... Don't worry. I'll be... I'll be... I'll..." She suddenly heaved, and black shot out from her mouth in a shotgun blast to my chest.
She quickly pushed herself away from me, and for a moment, I saw her eyes start to roll back, before her back hit the ground, and her body started twitching uncontrollably.
"FLUKY!" I shouted, rushing to her aid. Black was spilling from her mouth, nose, eyes, and ears as she went into a seizure. "Fluky, come on! FUCK!" I looked up to the bedroom door. "WE NEED HEALTH POTIONS OVER HERE!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, hoping Oku came in quickly.
The black substance stained the entire floor around her, as well as some of the bedding, as she puked up more. It didn't seem to want to let up. It just kept coming!
I didn't know what to do! I was so scared, because there was nothing I could do! I couldn't save her! I couldn't protect her! I couldn't hold true to my promise!
I failed...
"WHERE ARE THOSE FUCKING HEALTH POTI-"
Fluky's body tensed up as a lump traveled up her throat. Soon after, a set of four black, smoky tendrils stuck out from her mouth, pressed down on her lips as leverage, and lifted itself up before scurrying off for the door.
Her body twitched as she faced the ceiling; her eyes still rolled back.
"Fluky...?"
Her body went limp...
She was...
No...
I burst into tears as I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close. Damn it, no!
She didn't scream. She didn't cry. She didn't speak.
But she suffered, all the same.
I failed her...
I fucking failed her!
I...
There was chatter just outside the door, but none of the voices were spoken in panic or worry. They were actually... calm.
I shot up from the bed, breathing deeply as I looked around the room frantically. I was in the bedroom upstairs, and there was no black anywhere. It was all... it was all just a bad dream...
I held myself as I shuddered and closed my eyes. It was nothing more than a bad dream...
Wait... where was Fluky?
I looked around some more, but I found that I was alone here.
"Fluky?" I called out, getting out of bed. My hoof started to crackle, and the bedding was starting to burn. I patted it down as it started to catch fire, then looked under the bed. "Fluky, where are you?" I asked in a more worried tone. My heart was already racing from the nightmare, but it was picking up even more now.
I swung the closet door open and threw some clothes around. "Fluky!"
Where was she!?
I ran for the bedroom door, swung it open, and rushed for the stairs. I stopped at the top as I looked down at an empty living room. "FLUK-"
"Stop shouting." Thunderwing called out from one of the rooms on the first floor. "Come join us already!"
I trotted downstairs and went into the room that was being used as the infirmary when we first arrived. Everypony was sitting around a dining table. Thorne and her team had their power armor in each corner of the room.
Everypony was here except for one.
"Where's Fluky?" I asked, looking around frantically.
"I'm right here, Robutt." She replied, stepping in from the kitchen. There were a few plates levitated around her, and she dropped each one in front of a pony. Everyone grimaced as they looked down at their breakfast, which consisted of raw egg. "I hope you like it!" She beamed at the lot of them.
"I-uh..." Astral began. "I already had a big breakfast." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "And dinner." He pushed the plate to Cobalt. "Here. You can have it. Y'know... since you love eating so much."
"H-hey!" She called out, glaring at him. "I ain't no fatas-" She was quickly interrupted with a pebble to the ear. She turned and scowled at Para, who shook his head in disapproval. She rolled her eyes and turned back to Astral. "I ain't fat."
"Didn't say you were." He smirked. "Just said you like eating. And you can't deny that! I saw you go at it with five cans of potato crisps in one sitting. In less than half an hour!"
"I..." Her jaw dropped. "I hadn't eaten in five days before that! I was starvin'!" She spun around to Thorne in desperation. "Am I fat?"
Thorne sighed and shook her head, smiling softly. "No, Cobalt. You're not fat. And I mean that."
Cobalt nodded and looked down at both plates of food. "Well, uh... I should, um... watch my figure. Yeah. That. So..." She pushed the two plates over to Para, who sat across from her. "I think you should have it."
"Okay!" He said with a happy grin. His ears perked up as he looked down at his food.
Fluky stood in the doorway of the kitchen, waiting for everyone to eat. She was starting to get the hint that no one wanted it, but when Para accepted, she smiled again.
He slurped up all three raw eggs individually in a matter of seconds, then leaned back in the chair, smacking his lips and rubbing his belly. He looked to Thunderwing and dragged her plate away, before eating her breakfast.
"Mmm, Salmonella..." Thunderwing muttered, to which the group went from disturbed to sharing a small chuckle.
It quickly died once a flash of red light emerged from the living room. Petiole's excessive, violent coughing came to follow.
Hollow rushed in through the doorway; her armor covered in coagulated blood and guts. "We need to leave Equestria. Now."
"Why?" I asked, peeking into the other room. Petiole was on the floor; his LED flickering between red and blue rapidly. He couldn't stop coughing, but I could tell he was trying to speak. Tezu and the remains of Blaze sat in a heap on the floor. It took me a solid few seconds to actually register him as Tezu, his body was so mutated and deformed... and swollen. Thunderwing got one glimpse of them and immediately turned away. "What happened?"
"Equestria is gone, Charger." Hollow spoke in her unusual calm tone. She turned to everyone else. "Pack up what you can. We're getting as far away from Portlandia as possible." She paused and regarded Thorne for several silent moments, before turning back to me for clarification.
"Long story." I stated, before shaking my head. "Nevermind that. What happened back there?"
She looked back at Petiole, who continued gasping for air. "The infection from Stable 32 has spread to... what were once unimaginable levels."
"The infection from... Wait..." Thorne started. "You mean that weird fungus virus...?"
"The very same." Hollow replied, turning back to her. She regarded me next. "One of the infected had made it to Portlandia."
...
... I saw how ferals and F-virus cases reacted to each other back in the tunnel on the highway, right outside of Saddle... But there were thousands of ferals in that area of Portlandia...
My eyes went wide with realization before I spoke. "How big is the growth...?"
"I couldn't get an exact measurement, but it took over six city blocks, and it's only growing. It's starting to take buildings with it, too."
"Sweet Celestia..." I muttered, putting a hoof over my eyes. "Can we destroy it?"
"Not with what we have. I tried disintegrating it, but it did next to nothing. Our best option would be megaspell nukes."
"It ain't like they grow on trees..." Cobalt muttered under her breath.
"Getting a hold of just one nuke is highly unlikely." I filled in. "My entire time with the Steel Rangers, not once have we come even close to finding one... thankfully." I shook my head and raised my hoof to eye level. "And I think we should dismiss the idea of using nukes altogether. There's gotta be another way to kill it."
A lot of the group nodded in agreement.
Hollow shook her head. "I can't think of any other alternatives. So we got two options. We either get a hold of some nukes and blast it to whatever hell it came from, or we leave Equestria. But note that if it grows big enough, it won't matter where we run. It'll be a lot easier for it to cross oceans. Not to mention infect the water. And then there's the possibility of spores in the air."
"W-what if there's a third option?" Onyx asked, to which the group turned to her. "Bring in help from outside. If I managed to get a hold of the Enclave back home and tell them what's happening-"
"Like they'd fucking care..." Thunderwing deadpanned. A pebble struck her in the cheek, and she scowled at Para. "Stop that."
"I'm staying in Equestria." I spoke, regarding Hollow mainly. "I have something I need to do here. I have about a year left to live to do it, before I turn into one of those things... I'm not spending what little time I have left on the run. You are free to go your own way. I won't stop you. But I need to find Snow Star. I need to kill Bristle and his followers."
Thunderwing stood up from her chair, tapped Destrier on the shoulder, nodded to Riot, then stepped past Fluky into the kitchen. The other two followed, and the trio vanished from my sights.
"I'm with ya." Thorne stated, smiling softly. "It's dangerous out there on the waves, anyways. Hear talk of pirates owning the seas." She turned to her group. "Don't feel obligated to stick around. If you wanna leave, the choice is yours."
"I'm with ya, ma'am." Cobalt nodded to her with a smile. "It's dangerous no matter where ya go. And we can't be lettin' ya get all the glory." Her soft smile turned into a grin as Astral and Onyx nodded in agreement.
Petiole finally started to calm down, but he continued to lie there on the floor, looking up at the ceiling. His LED stayed blue.
Oku stepped forward and nodded to me. "I will stay, for I too, have something I need to do."
I nodded back to him and smiled faintly.
Para and Fluky both smiled at me and nodded. We had this discussion before, so I already knew their answer.
"I will stay." Hollow replied softly. "I will help you. But if we're going to stay in Equestria, I suggest moving somewhere that will buy us some time."
I looked at her and nodded. "We'll discuss that shortly."
"Very well."
"Everyone, start packing up." I said, turning around for the living room. "We'll meet outside."
The group got to work, and I made my way over to my gear on the couch.
I slipped my saddle bags on and checked the magazine on my rifle to find it was stocked full. I slammed it home and kept the rifle to my side. My armor was too shredded for it to make much of a difference in combat, so I was going to leave that behind.
Stable 32 was a shitty memory, anyways.
"Ch..." Petiole rasped, getting up. "Charger..."
I looked back as he weakly approached.
"Don't get rid of the armor... I can... I can patch it up for you. It'll take a bit, but I'll do it..." He grabbed the armor and started for the door. His LEDS were still blue, so there was something bothering him. "Look through the house for anything useful. There might be something that'll come in handy for us on the road." He opened the door and stepped out slowly.
I began removing the couch cushions and checking if there was anything tucked away between or under them. I didn't really bother looking when I turned them over the first time.
There wasn't much in terms of usefulness, anyways. Just dried, black stains.
I checked beneath the couch and found a set of aviators. I lifted the couch a bit and pulled them out to find a thick layer of dust covered the black lens.
I brushed it off with my chest before slipping them on. They were a bit scratched up, but that wasn't too much of a problem for me.
I stuffed them in one of my saddle bags and continued on for the looting.


(((((((◉)))))))


About five minutes had gone by before I went outside. There wasn't a whole lot left to take. A few bottle caps from the trash, some prewar bits, and a couple bottles of water.
I was about to walk around the corner of the house where the tub was, as I had heard Petiole and Hollow's voice in that direction. I stopped at the corner once I heard they were speaking in hushed tones, as if this were all secret.
Things got silent between the two for a bit, before Hollow spoke up.
"Come join us, Charger."
Damn it...
I stepped into view and approached them. "What's going on?"
"We're planning ahead." Petiole said, looking down. There was a sadness in his voice, though...
Hollow started up. "I think our best bet for now is to head over to New Pegasus. I have a place there that we can stay at." She turned to me and continued. "And if you want help taking on Bristle, then you're gonna need all the help you can get. I have a few friends that can help with that. They owe me, anyways."
I raised a brow. "Okay, we just met..." I said skeptically. "So who am I to you? Why are you helping me?"
She paused for a moment, before responding. "I'm helping you, because it's the right thing to do." And with that, she walked past and headed back for the entrance of the house.
Petiole regarded me in silence for a long moment, before looking back down. His ears wilted.
"Petiole." I started.
He looked back up. "Yeah?"
"Did you do anything with that powder I gave you?"
He froze for a short while, before giving a small nod.
"And?" I looked into his visor.
"And..." He cleared his throat. "Charger, what do you know? About... yourself, I mean?"
"You didn't answer my question." I said in an annoyed tone. My hoof flared up a bit. "And I asked first. Just rip the band-aid off."
He backed up a step, before slouching. "Alright... but you're gonna want to sit down for this."
"I'm fine with standing."
"Sit, Charger."
"No." The electricity grew a bit more.
"... Alright..." He took a deep breath, as if to brace himself. "That powder, Charger... It has your DNA strain. But... it's also that of a unicorn... The powder was once a horn..." He shook his head. "Charger, you were a-"
"There. That confirms it once and for all. No more assumptions." I reached out a hoof as I interrupted. "Give me the powder."
He froze again and stared in ominous silence. "You know...?"
"I heavily suspected." I stated abruptly, feeling the anger boil. "Now I know for certain. The container, Petiole. Give it."
Hesitantly, he reached into one of his many saddle bags to retrieve it, then put it in my hoof. I looked down at the small pile of powder at the bottom for a long moment, before storing it safely in my bag.
I turned around and headed back for the entrance of the house, slipping my new aviators on. It was pretty bright out here.
Upon turning the corner, I saw Hollow at the door, standing beside it. She turned to me once she came into my view. I stopped beside her and sat down, trying to lower my temper.
"So this help you spoke of..." I started. "Are they with a faction or something? Cause I'm saying it right now, I won't-"
"They're with me." She said softly. "That's all you need to know at this time."
I rolled my eyes and turned my head away from her.
"I noticed you have fangs now." She continued.
I began running my tongue along the sharp edges gently the moment she brought it up. "Woke up with them."
"Hm..." Was all she let out before a silence grew between us.
Thunder, Riot, and Destrier stepped out of the house, and the pegasus stopped before me. "Charger, we need to talk." She glanced at Hollow. "Can we have a moment?"
Hollow nodded. "The wagon is around back, Thunder. You'll find your half of the payment there." She then quietly walked back around the corner, over to Petiole.
"What's going on?" I asked, looking at the trio.
Thunder took a seat next to me before continuing. "We're not going with you."
"... Oh..." I looked ahead, taking the aviators off. "Why's that?"
"I made a promise to Tezu and Blaze. And I intend to hold true to it. Destrier and Riot are coming with me."
I looked to the three again. "And where are you going?"
Thunderwing paused for a moment, before sliding a scale out of her bags. There was a symbol carved into it that I was unfamiliar with. "We're going to the Dragon Lands. He wanted to be buried there, and Blaze wanted to be buried with him." She looked down at the scale. "Tezu carved our names into his scales. Desty and Riot have one, too." She put hers away. "He said it'd grant us safer passage through the Dragon Lands if we kept it with us. A sort of ticket to have the other dragons not burn us alive or eat us on sight. I don't know what good it'll do if they're tucked away in our saddle bags, but Tezu said they'll know when we're close to them. Guess it's a dragon sense or something. I dunno."
I nodded. "That's very noble of you, Thunder. I hope you have safe travels."
She grit her teeth and took in a deep breath. "There's a big chance we might not ever see each other again. We might not even make it back alive. So..." She moved in and wrapped her wings around me tight, before speaking softly. "Take care, Charger. Kick Bristle's ass for me."
I hugged her back. "Be safe, Thunder..." I looked to Destrier and Riot. "You guys, too. Be careful out there."
Riot smiled softly, and Destrier nodded. "You too, Charger."
Thunderwing let go and looked into my eyes for a few quiet seconds, before backing up and taking another deep breath. "Alright, everypony..." She turned to her group. "Let's get them packed up and hit the road..."


(((((((◉)))))))


The lot of us walked along the cliff that dropped down to the ocean below, heading south. Thunderwing had said her goodbyes to Para, Fluky, Petiole, and Onyx before we parted ways.
Teleporting to New Pegasus didn't seem to be an option, even for Hollow. She had mentioned that she didn't want to get into a situation she wasn't sure she could get out of. After that apartment incident, I could see why. But I suspected that there was something she wasn't saying...
I wondered why we didn't just teleport straight to New Pegasus. If I was correct, and I believe I was, distance didn't have a factor in teleportation magic. The only factors I knew of were that the unicorn had to know the place they were teleporting to. They had to have been there before. The other factor was party size. That was about it as far as I knew.
Which only made me suspect that she was keeping quiet about something even more...
As we ventured south, I took a long look at the series of towers that stood tall from the ocean to my right, in the distance. I was growing more and more curious on just what was going on there.
"Tuner, what is that?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the massive turrets at the top.
"Stable 14." Petiole said softly, catching up to my side. He observed it as he continued. "Or... the defense for Stable 14. The actual stable itself is at the bottom of the ocean."
I raised a brow as I regarded him. "You're familiar with this place." I stated matter of factly.
He looked back and nodded, before turning back to the towers again. "There's a mare I knew that had a spot waiting for her in there, back before the bombs. I still don't know for sure if she made it, but..." He shrugged. "I can only hope." He paused for a moment, taking in the sight. "This is the first time I've laid eyes on the place, personally."
"You didn't see it before you left for Portlandia the other day?" I asked curiously.
"I was more focused on preparing for the mission back in Portlandia."
I nodded silently for a moment, before directing my attention to him. "So what's Stable 14 for?"
He turned back to me. "You mean what experiment were they running?"
"Yeah."
"I heard from the mare I mentioned earlier that it was going to be used for the preservation of pre-war relics." He turned back to the towers once again. "The continued study of cryo stasis..." He paused for a moment, then whispered to himself. I wasn't sure I was meant to hear it, but I did. "She was a great lab assistant... and friend..."
I looked over my shoulder to find Oku was staying behind a few paces. I slowed down to walk alongside him, leaving Petiole to his thoughts.
The zebra stared at me in silence for the longest time, as if he were expecting me to strike.
"How you feeling?" I asked, smiling softly.
"Alert." He said, facing forward again. "It is always wise to be alert in the wastelands. Never let your guard down."
I rolled my eyes. "You sound like my sister."
"Then she is wise."
"She's a bitch." I stated quickly; my ears folding back.
"Then she is a wise bitch." Oku smiled faintly, turning back to me.
I shrugged, then looked at the rest of the group ahead of us. "So... you mentioned that you had something you needed to do here? In Equestria?"
Reluctantly, he nodded.
"May I ask what it is?"
He sighed. "I know what it is you try to do, demon. But this, I must do myself. Your help is not wanted, nor is the help of others."
I turned back to him, frowning. "I'm not a demon. I'm a pony."
He turned back to me once more. "There was a time where you may as well have been one and the same to the zebras. But to me, you are still that of a demon. You, specifically. That which is inside you is not meant to be."
I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Look..." I said, ready to change the topic. "If you scratch my back, I want to return the favor. It's the least I can do."
"There is no need. You owe me no deeds."
I groaned in frustration and shook my head. "Well, my offer stands to you."
Hours from there, our journey was made in silence, with few breaks in between. Empty, grassy plains went on for miles in all directions, so we didn't have to worry about a surprise attack, at least. Well, from raiders anyways. I was still wary for anything that may have been waiting underground.
My midday, we had stumbled upon a town in the distance, about as far inland as the house had been from the cliff. It was decently sized, but... it wasn't made up of scraps. It looked clean. Too clean for the wasteland. It looked peaceful! Like nothing had tried attacking this place even once in its entire existence. It didn't even seem like scavenging was necessary for this place, just by looking at how well everything looked from here.
Para was biting his lip as he stared at the town from afar, while the rest of the group discussed the idea for a pit stop.
I nudged his shoulder, and he looked over.
"Hey, you alright?"
"I think we should keep moving..." He muttered, turning back to the town. "I don't like it here..."
Well, that was a first...
"What's wrong?" I rubbed his back gently, trying to comfort him.
"It's wrong here... I don't like it... We need to go..."
"This might be the last time we come across a settlement for a long time." Petiole stated. "Especially one in such a good condition as this. We should at least try and see if we can make a trade for anything we need on the road between here and New Pegasus."
"I don't know..." Thorne muttered, staying locked on the settlement. "This place doesn't have any defenses. No walls to keep out invaders... That right there seems off..."
I studied the place for a short while, before nodding. "Yeah, that is weird... But I'm with Petiole here. We could use some resources."
"Not to mention I have to patch up Charger's armor." Petiole filled in. "I'd rather do it before we run into trouble. Not after."
"Well, I mean..." I paused and regarded him. "I can't really die from regular gunfire, apparently."
He looked back at me behind his green visor, which just then flashed blue. "But can you tell me for certain that you can control what comes out of those gunshots?"
I hung my head down. "Right..." I looked back at Thorne. "Half an hour, tops. Does that sound fair?"
She stared at me in silence for a short while, before nodding. "Deal."
"And hey... maybe you can finally sell some of that gear you've been trying to get off your hooves." I smirked as we started for the town.
"This is bad..." Para muttered as he walked close behind. "It's all wrong..." He continued to say under his breath.
"I'm not going in." Oku said, standing in place.
I turned back to him, but he continued before I could ask why.
"Ponies do not take kindly to the likes of us. We are put to blame for the world's destruction. I will stay here until you get back."
Slowly, I nodded to him. "We shouldn't be long, Oku."
He nodded back, to which the lot of us resumed our course.
"I'll stay with him." Hollow said as she stood still.
"Stay safe, you two." Fluky said, waving at them a little as she sat on Petiole's back.
"Likewise." Hollow replied.
Petiole kept glancing in my direction as we ventured for the settlement. After his fifth or sixth peek - I lost count - I turned back to him.
"What?"
"You have fangs." He said simply.
I sighed and deadpanned as my ears folded back, slumping as we proceeded the rest of the way.


(((((((◉)))))))


A wave of energy had passed over me as we started to enter the town. Like I had walked through a wall of pure magic... That gave me a hint as to why they didn't have defenses set up. Maybe they had a spell cast to keep all the bad out. But what difference did it make if strangers could walk right through?
As we walked the streets, I noticed that all the ponies here didn't wear any armor. Nor did they have any guns on them! Or weapons, period! How in the hell were they still alive!?
Para was muttering softly to himself as he kept his head down.
The streets here were clean. This place definitely had not seen a fight before. What was happening here? There wasn't a pile of rubble or detritus in sight, and it actually smelled pretty decent here.
"This is gettin' weirder and weirder..." Cobalt muttered under her breath as she walked with us, looking around.
A pale blue coated earth pony walked past, and as he did, looked at me, waved a hoof, and spoke. "Mornin' to ya!" Then he continued on his way.
Hesitantly, I waved back.
Para covered his eyes with the brim of his hat, keeping his head down.
"Alright..." I stopped and looked at the others. "Thorne, you go look to make some trades. Para and I will try and figure out what in the world in happening here."
Thorne nodded, then trotted down the road. Her team followed.
I turned back to Para, and-
Whoa, hello!
I backed up a bit as he was within kissing distance of my muzzle.
"Para, what the hell? Don't freak me out like tha-"
"Shh." He put a hoof to my mouth and shook his head. "Don't say anything... Just follow..."
He turned around and began to walk off, back towards where we came.
Reluctantly, I followed. How did I know this wasn't just another one of Happy's tricks?
We were about eight minutes into the town, when we decided to split up. I just hoped he wasn't trying to leave the rest of the group behind...
It didn't take very long before the wingless pegasus made a left to another road, and proved my suspicions about him leaving to be false.
I noticed he was trying to avoid making any eye contact with the residents of this town. Something about them had him freaked out... which was highly unusual, since Para was oblivious to anything and everything... or so I thought.
He stopped at the third building down on the right side of the street; a one story house with a white, picket fence surrounding the lot of property. The grass in the lawn looked healthy and tended to.
I stopped walking once I saw the mailbox, and whose name was plastered on it.
I turned to Para; my jaw dropped. I looked around shortly after. If he was freaked out about this place, maybe there really was a reason...
I approached him and whispered as I stared intently on the name on the mailbox. "You used to live here...?"
Para looked at me quietly. He wasn't smiling.
He opened the gate to the fence before pointing a hoof to the door. "After you."
I gave him a skeptical look as I backed away. "What's this all ab-"
"We need to talk." He kept his voice low. "And it can't be here, and we're on a time limit. So go."
"Who am I... talking to...?"
He nodded to the mailbox. "Who do you think?"
I looked around for a bit, but everyone was minding their own business.
I sighed and began walking through the gate.
"I can't believe I'm agreeing to enter a house I'm unfamiliar with, with a serial killer..." I muttered as I passed by him.
"I heard that." He replied sharply.
"Wasn't my intention to hide it..." I said back, glancing at him.
When we stopped at the front door, he lifted a decorative rock up and took a key out from under it, then put the decoration back down. As he started to unlock the door, he spoke.
"I'm a savior. I am not a killer."
I rolled my eyes, but said nothing. He was starting to get angry, and I've seen what he could do. Right now I needed him on my side. If not for my own safety, then the safety of the others in my group.
He pushed the door open and trotted inside, and I followed close behind, shutting it behind me. He squeezed past me and locked the door, before turning to me. His muzzle pressed to mine as he looked into my eyes, smiling again.
I felt my cheeks grow into a soft shade of red... and I hated myself for it. I didn't want to do anything with anyone. My Snow Star was out there, somewhere. I was going to find her. I had already developed a hatred for myself for having sex with Whiskey River, back at the depot. And having a crush on Para...
I turned my head and trotted into the living room. "So this is your place?" I looked back, doing my best to keep a close eye on him. His motives were still a question to me.
He nodded with that same smile, walking up from behind. He stopped at my side. "Take a seat. They can't hear us in here."
I looked to the assortment of furniture in his living room. There was an old radio in the corner of the room, on a shelf. But it looked to be in pristine condition. The question popped into my head as to why he was carrying around a broken, beat up radio, when there was a perfect one right there, collecting dust.
Next to that, I found a framed photograph. A relic of the past. His past...
Instead of taking a seat on the couch that rested in the center of the room, facing a small coffee table, I stepped up to the picture and took it off the shelf, examining the details behind the glass. I glanced in his direction soon after to see he was looking down, frowning.
"I miss him..." Happy replied in a somber tone. "He was good to me. He was a lot like you in some areas."
I turned back to the picture.
Happy was grinning in the photograph with an arm around a zebra that was at his side. He too, was grinning. There were some scars along his stripes, but he didn't seem to pay much mind to them. They both seemed happy. Genuinely happy, together.
They were both maybe in their late teens, judging by how they looked. There was a city in the background. Saddle, by the looks of it. I recognized the two towers in the background, both of which stood upright and tall.
They were in a park. A park I recognized in Petiole's memories.
The zebra had his head leaned against Happy as they stared back at me through the photograph.
"W..." I paused, putting the picture back on the shelf. "What was his name...?"
When I didn't get a response, I turned back to him. His eyes were closed as his body tensed. He took a deep breath, before opening them again, looking directly into mine from across the room that was soaked in a soft, warm, welcoming glow from the sun's rays that pierced through the golden, decorative curtains over the windows. Finally, he replied. "It doesn't matter."
I froze, staring back at him. "I just-"
"It doesn't. Matter." He said behind clenched teeth, glaring.
I sighed and reluctantly made my way over to the couch, before taking a seat and looking at him flatly. "There. I'm dropping it. Happy?"
"What?" He snapped.
Oh... right. Derp. "I... meant... are you happy now?"
"Oh..." He shook his head and smiled softly for a brief moment, before taking another deep breath. "We need to get out of this town. As soon as possible, before it's too late. The clock is ticking, and these ponies are not what you think..."
I paused for a moment, taking in the worry in his tone. "What are they?"
"How can you not see it?" He stared for the longest moment. "They're monsters!" He tensed up again, then lowered his voice. "They're monsters, and they're going to act soon... I've seen it before."
I rolled my eyes, just ready to play along. "Okay, so... What do you want to do?"
"I want us to leave." He said quickly. "Now. Get the others, and let's leave before it's too late. I'm gonna pack up what I can and meet you at the outskirts. If I'm not there by the time you get back, then just go without me. I'll catch up..." He paused before taking the radio out. "And take Tuner with you... You're going to need the battery. And... be careful." He spoke softer. "Somepony is coming for you... He'll be arriving shortly, and we better be far away from here when he does..."
"Why are you helping us?" I asked with a raised brow. "Why are you trying to keep the others alive?"
He smiled softly again, before replying. "It's not their time yet. They still have a part to play... but in the meantime, you need them alive as I do. Joy told me."
"Joy? Who's Joy?"
"We don't have time, Charger. Get the others and get them out of here... And don't eat the food here..."
More questions piled up onto more questions, left to be unanswered...


(((((((◉)))))))


I walked through the marketplace of this settlement. The ponies here seemed completely oblivious to the bombs ever falling, and what came after. There were no guns or weapons, period. No defenses. No turrets. No armor. Not even a spent shell or bullet hole anywhere in sight. The streets were free of any litter.
This place looked exactly like what I read about in books, back at the bunker. For a second, I was even starting to forget that there was a world out there, left in ruin.
Another thing caught my attention, however...
I had a gun on me, and I was traveling with a group of armed ponies, some of which were dressed in steel-clad suits of armor. Yet no one batted an eye at us. They only smiled and went about their day...
I wasn't sure how I felt about that. But if Happy was freaking out about it, then I probably should have been worried, too.
I caught one of Thorne's team standing outside of a building, near the door to a store. There was a decorative sign above the entrance that read 'General Goods.'
"Hey." I trotted up to them, to which Astral's voice replied.
"Hey, Charger."
I stopped before him and nodded to the door. "The others inside?"
He nodded, then looked around. "Where's your friend?"
"He's checking the place out." I said calmly, trying my best not to reveal even a hint of the truth. I didn't need anyone else knowing that Happy was with us.
A bell rang upon the door opening, and one by one, the rest of the group stepped out.
"Any luck?" He asked, turning to look at the others.
"Nada." Thorne replied, shaking her head. "These ponies are using prewar bits as currency. Bottle caps make us mentally ill in their eyes."
"Did they say that?" I asked, raising a brow.
"Didn't need to." Petiole stated, stepping up and stopping beside me. Fluky was on his back, clutching her teddy bear. "I can see it in their faces. Still... I'm starting to like it here. A little, anyways. Haven't seen any signs of ghouls. Reminds me of a time I can look back on." He looked over his shoulder and reached a hoof around. "Fluky, dear. Can you give me the armor?"
Fluky nodded happily before picking up the barding in front of her with her hooves.
"No." Petiole said softly. "Remember what we talked about. Inner strength."
She froze and looked down at it. "I-I don't know if I-"
"That's your self doubt talking." Petiole interrupted, but kept calm, all the same. "I know you can do it. You're stronger than you realize. Now go ahead. Give it a try."
She nodded hesitantly before giving it a long look. She closed her eyes shortly after and took a deep breath as her horn started to glow brighter gradually.
That same yellow aura around her horn wrapped around the folded Stable 32 barding, but it remained still. She closed her eyes tighter as she grit her teeth and groaned in frustration.
Still, the armor remained motionless for the longest time. She cried out, before the light that connected her horn to the barding dimmed to nothing almost immediately. She took heavy, deep breaths as she opened her eyes again, looking down at it. Her back moved up and down with each breath, and she put a hoof to her temple, wincing slightly. "I can't do it..."
"In due time, Fluky..." Petiole said in a soft, caring tone. "You'll get there..." He reached around further and grabbed the barding, before pulling it off the space between her and the back of his head. He held his arm out, to which I took it.
"You fixed it? How?" I asked, giving him a questioning look.
"The prewar bits from the apartments." He replied in that same, soft tenderness. "I spent my share here."
"Y-you didn't have to do that for me, Petiole. You can take my half."
He shook his head. "No. Don't worry about it." He patted me on the shoulder, before looking down at my hooves. "You're good."
Honestly, I was really surprised by this. Ever since he came back with Hollow from the apartments, he seemed to have a change of heart. I don't know what it was that drove him from being a cranky pain in my ass to being... generous and caring... but I liked it. Still... I doubt it was that thing from 32 that changed him. There was something else he must have seen in his time away...
It wasn't important right now, though.
I rested the barding on my back and looked to everyone. "We're leaving soon." I said, trying to keep my voice as low as possible so no one outside of the group heard.
"What, why?" Cobalt asked, stepping up a bit. "We still oughta get some food fer our bellies, and some shut eye. My dogs're barkin'! And I reckon the sun'll be gone before we find another place to hunker down in, and I dun wanna sleep in a field, if I can help it."
"I'd say you have about 16 minutes before he gets here, Charger." Tuner said quickly. "You better haul ass..."
Everyone turned to each other for a moment, before looking back at me and the radio tucked in my bag.
"Who?" They all said simultaneously.
Tuner didn't reply, and I knew why. It was all a part of his stupid little game...
I shook my head. "I don't know who it is, but something tells me we're not gonna wanna stick around when they arrive."
"Well, we still need to get food. We don't have enough." Onyx filled in. "And where's Para?"
"I told him to wait at the exit." I lowered my voice even more as a pony walked past, smiling at me as she did so. Everyone gave me a puzzled look, to which I sighed. "Look, there's something going on here... and I really think we should get out of here. I don't know for certain, but I have a really bad feeling about it... Okay? Let's just go quietly, not raise any alarm, and get..." I paused, before coughing a little, as if something got caught in my throat. "Out al... aliv..." I paused and looked down as my vision started to get dizzy. Everything started to become a blur. "W... what's hah... happe..." I struck the ground as sound started to distort for me.
"Charg... Uh..." I couldn't tell who was talking due to the heavy distortion in their voices, but soon after, one of the ranger outcasts fell on their side.
Then Petiole.
Fluky.
Onyx.
And then the rest.
Various hooves stepped up to us; their bodies and faces out of view.
"Another fresh batch..." One of them said.
I felt a set of forehooves lift me on my side and feel around my body, starting at the neck. They worked their way down to my gut, before taking their hooves off me.
I couldn't move, and I couldn't see...
"Mmm..." One of them started. "This one is healthy..."
"Let's get them down there."


(((((((◉)))))))


Things became more of a haze after they lifted us up. I went in and out a few times, but once I started to come back from whatever drug they used on me, I felt my forehooves stretched up to the ceiling, and my rear hooves stretched down to the floor, all four spread out; my body forming an X.
It reeked of decay in here. Yet, the air was thin. And cold.
I cracked my eyes open, only to be greeted with darkness.
I didn't feel my saddle bags on me, or my gun for that matter. Or even my pipbuck. All my belongings had been stripped from me. All except my metal hoof. If it was detachable, I bet they would have taken that, too. I'm sure they tried...
I coughed and heaved.
Oh... no...
N-no!
My body convulsed as a familiar abnormality slid up from my throat and out from between my lips. I heard a wet, squishy thud on what sounded like a concrete flooring as it fell from my mouth.
"G-Goddesses!" I coughed and hacked as the burning in my throat lingered. Fuck, it hurt! Between coughs, my hoof flickered a few spurts of electricity, lighting up the room briefly in a red haze.
"C-Charger...?" Someone called out from the left side of the room.
"Onyx? That you?" I said between a few more coughs, trying to clear my throat of the black substance that came with the weird ball of tentacles I had puked up. Gah, fuck...
The bright side was that my hoof would light up briefly with each cough. I guess my pain and discomfort was triggering the mechanism at this point.
I heard a series of wet tendrils run across the room, but it was hard to pinpoint where exactly it was going. Then again, in my coughing fit, I wasn't paying much attention about what was in this room.
"Y-yeah..." She replied, groaning a bit. "I'm tied up..."
I sighed and shook my head as I started to calm down a little more. My hoof went dark again. "You know..." I chuckled dryly. "In another setting, I may have probably enjoyed this..."
Onyx joined in the laugh at my small tension breaker, before we went silent for a moment.
"Hold on..." I muttered. "I have an idea..."
I closed my eyes, despite not being able to see anyways, and looked back on my life. About all the wrong that was done to me. About all the wrong I did.
And voila. In a red flash through my eyelids, and the unstable crackling of electricity, the room was lit up by my hoof, allowing us to take in our surroundings.
I opened my eyes, still trying to stay focused on my past. An anger was starting to grow within my core, though...
Onyx was also splayed out like an 'X.' As were Fluky, Thorne, Cobalt, and Astral. All of which were stripped of their gear.
And Happy...
Petiole wasn't here, however.
In the center was a metal table with a saw. The surface was stained in blood that had been there long enough for it to go a dark, rusty brown.
Across the room from me was a stairwell that went up. Judging by how this place looked, I'd have guessed we were in a cellar or basement.
To the left of that stairwell, in the corner of the room was a fridge. Much like this town, it too, was in pristine condition.
Onyx's eyes went wide as she took in the details of the table and our friends.
"Hey." I said calmly, to which she turned to me with that same scared expression.
I nodded a few times. "We're gonna be okay. We're gonna get out of here."
Her lips quivered a little as she opened her mouth to say something. Nothing came out, though. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she nodded back.
I looked back at the table. It was clear they were cutting ponies up. That... gave me an idea. I didn't favor it, but it was better than the alternatives.
Fluky woke up next, coughing and shaking her head softly, before lifting her head up to look around. "W-what is...? No... No!" She tried fighting against her restraints, but her escape was to no avail. "No!" She bawled.
"Fluky! Hey!" I called out.
She stopped and stared at me as tears washed down her face.
"Calm down." I spoke calmly. "I have a plan. Okay? We're all going to get out of here."
"I'm sure you thought the same thing about the apartments!" She blurted. "Look at Blaze and Tezu! Goddesses, I don't want to die!"
I was struck by her words... I was even more struck that she was right... It was in my best interest to get everyone out of there alive... and I failed. Who was I to ask for them to trust me when I said we'd all make it out of here alive?
I had already betrayed that trust...
I went silent and looked down at the floor. Her words had made the electricity on my hoof flare up. Enough that it burnt the rope around my leg, letting it hang there vertically, tethered by gravity's pull.
I looked back at Fluky as she continued to weep uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry..." I muttered under my breath, before hanging my head down again.
Thorne abruptly broke into a coughing fit, before spitting on the floor below her.
"Goddesses..." She murmured, before lifting her head up. "W-what... What happened?"
"Got drugged and carried off to wherever we are now." I replied simply. "Presumably about to be chopped up. For what reason, I don't know." I nodded to the table.
"Ah... great..."
Astral and Cobalt both groaned before taking their surroundings into account.
"H-how the..." Cobalt stammered, looking up at the binds that had her forehooves, then down at her rears, to which she started blushing. "I mean, I ain't opposed to it, but at least ask, first!"
"I don't think we're here as bondage toys, Cobalt." Astral said as his eyes stayed fixated on the table.
Cobalt took notice to the table, then sulked. "Oh..." Her ears wilted. "Well, gul dern it! Ain't the way I saw myself goin' out..."
"And how did you see yourself going out?" Onyx asked, raising a brow.
"With a belly fulla beer, and a stallion givin' me a good, hard, dickin'. If I'm lucky, even two." She turned to Astral and winked, to which he groaned and rolled his eyes. She gave me a coy smile as she looked me up and down, giving a hint that I had invitation.
Thorne sighed and shook her head. "Get a room..."
"None of us are 'going out.'" I said as I wiggled my forehooves as best I could through the binds to support my emphasis. "I have a plan. We just gotta wait... And if it works out, we're all getting out of here." I turned to Fluky. "I'm not leaving anypony behind..."
Fluky still sobbed uncontrollably, keeping her head down. Her mane curtained her eyes as it often did many times before, whenever she didn't want me seeing her.
The sun's light cast down the stairs as the sound of creaky hinges of a door were in use. Two sets of hooves started to walk down; the one on the left, a light blue, and the one on the right, a soft pink.
Fluky's wails softened gradually into whimpers as they came down the stairs. She was shaking out of terror for what she thought was going to happen next. But I wasn't going to let that happen to her. Not again.
The two ponies came into full view. The light blue pony was that of a mare, and the pale pink, a stallion who enveloped a lit lantern beside him with his magic.
"Ah, good." The mare smiled softly as she picked up the saw with her magic. "You're all awake." She paused and regarded Happy. "Well, not all of you, it seems. Happy put up a fight. He could never be trusted."
Onyx's brows knit as she stayed focused on the ground for a moment, before looking up at me. "Wait... Happy...?"
"It's a long story..." I murmured.
"So what are you gonna do with us?" Thorne asked, glaring at the mare, to which she turned to her in a calm manner, still smiling. Just before she was about to speak, someone else answered.
"They're going to eat us."
Everyone turned to Happy to see his head was still down, and his mane was covering his face. "They're psychopaths. All of 'em. It's why I left. They don't care about making ponies happy. Nopony but themselves." He lifted his head and glared as he grit his teeth, looking at both the stallion and the mare. Half of his face was covered with his mane. "You do it all wrong. You're all wrong. This place is wrong."
Without turning around, the mare sighed. "Alright... Well..." She started to look at all of us, one at a time. "Any volunteers? Or am I picking?"
"You don't have to do this..." Fluky whispered. "You don't have to... Just... Just let us go. Let us leave..."
The mare hung her head down, before shaking it. "As usual. I'm picking."
"No." I said as my hoof flared a bit.
The room fell silent as everyone turned to me. I nodded softly to my friends, before looking back down at her. "I volunteer."
The mare's smile widened as she regarded me. "That's wonderful to hear. You'll be helping a lot of ponies here."
She turned to her accomplice. "Bring him to the table, please."
He nodded silently, and at once his magic undid the binds around my limbs. Before I could fall to the ground, I was enveloped in the same aura around his horn, and gently carried to the table.
"Charger, no!" Thorne thrashed around in her binds. "Let him go!"
"Thorne..." I looked over at her and shook my head. "It's fine..." She froze as her eyes stayed locked with mine for a moment.
Once my back made contact with the cold surface, the rope that was used to bind me up was then used to keep me bound to the table, in case I were to try and escape.
They made sure to keep my arms out of the binds around my torso, but bound them with a new series of rope, keeping them horizontal with each other.
Most of my group stayed silent as they watched, but Fluky was still crying softly to herself.
The mare pressed the saw to my left arm as she started moving it back and forth. I winced and cried out as I felt the serrated edge cut through, getting ever closer to the bone with each passing second.
But not even quarter way there, she stopped.
"Well that's... highly irregular." She said as she stared down at my injury. My black blood oozed out, and I felt something rushing down from within my arm, towards the breach.
Here we go...
The stallion suddenly started screaming, and looking over at him, we both saw the creature I had puked up latched onto his face. He tried relentlessly to pull it off of his face, but it had a firm grasp on him. In his panic, he dropped the lantern, and it shattered on the concrete floor. Thankfully, the fire wasn't spreading, as it had nothing to spread to but a puddle of oil.
I cried out a bit louder as a blackened, flower-like pod came out of my wound.
Just as the mare turned back to me in bafflement, the pod split apart in four pedals and shrieked, just before lunging at her on the end of a tendril and latching onto her muzzle. She began screaming as she tried pulling away, but the new appendage only pulled her in closer to me. At that moment, I felt something inside me start to enter her. A lot of things...
I gasped and shuddered in response.
I hated to admit it, even to myself, but... it felt good.
She looked at me in horror as her muffled screams turned into gagging. Lumps started to travel down her throat, one at a time. And it felt good every time...
I didn't rightly know what was happening. What I was doing. But I had a general idea, and I was kicking myself for it... I was against this sort of thing...
This wasn't even really me. I wasn't controlling this. I wasn't expecting this to happen in my plan. I was expecting something more like... absorbing.
I looked over at the stallion as he continued to scream to get it off of him, and just as I did, the creature that I had regurgitated forced his mouth to stay open with two tendrils as it climbed in. His screaming became cries of horror, shortly before he began choking. The lump of the creature soon went down his throat, before he fell to the ground and started spasming. His eyes rolled in the back of his head as his body lost control of itself.
I turned back to the mare, wincing as the wound started to burn, and I noticed her belly was starting to expand gradually. Her protests were starting to subside, and her eyes grew distant. Unfocused. Her body began to go limp.
After the tendril released one final... I didn't even know what to call it... the pedals released their grip from her face, exposing a mess of black gunk all around her muzzle and inside her mouth. I didn't know what I even put inside her... Was it the tendril thing I puked up? Or was it something else...?
She collapsed on her side, completely silent. No words, no struggles.
The tendril wrapped its pedals around the binds around the hoof it occupied and ripped through it, releasing that limb before sliding back into the wound.
I reached my hoof around and undid my other limb, before working on my legs.
Fuck, I was hungry...
Once I was free from bondage, I rushed to Onyx, but she jolted back; her eyes wide in fear of me.
"I'm safe..." I said softly. She gave me a skeptical look for a moment, before nodding slowly. She was still wary, but she was willing to give me the benefit of the doubt.
I undid her binds, starting at her legs, then moved on to Fluky as she worked on her team.
In a moment's notice, we were back on our hooves.
Well, I was on three. My left forehoof was too damaged to really walk on. I guess she had gotten closer to the bone than I had thought.
"We need to find Petiole." I said, looking through the contents in the fridge. It all consisted of meat...
I closed the fridge door and turned to the others, who all, except Happy, looked at what I... my body... the virus... had done to the mare, and what had happened to the stallion, who went still after a short while.
Happy stayed by my side, looking directly at me with a soft smile. "So you're on my side, then."
I rolled my eyes and limped over to the others, looking down at the mare. Her belly was inflated, but I noticed something was moving around inside of her... Something snake-like...
"Come on." I said, looking at Thorne. "We don't have much time. We need to find Petiole and get out of here while we still can."
At once, two sets of hooves silently ran down the stairs; one covered in metal armor.
They stopped at the bottom step, looking at the lot of us.
"Hey." Thorne smirked, looking at me. "Found him."
Petiole was draped over Hollow's back. His armor, and all his gear were missing, and he breathed small little torrents of pink cloud from his mouth. Hollow didn't seem too worried about it, oddly enough.
The one to accompany her was Oku. And on his back, I caught sight of some of my supplies. Some, as in nothing more than my pipbuck and saddle bags. The rest was missing.
Hollow looked down at my hoof, before a compartment in her armor opened up. She levitated a health potion out and reached it out to me.
I drank a quarter of it, then tucked the rest away in my bags once they were given to me. I started attaching the pipbuck back on my arm shortly after.
"We need to leave." Oku stated.
Not even a second after his statement, a red light flashed outside, followed with a loud, energized roar.
"Now..." Oku added once the sound ceased.
Heavy thuds sounded throughout the town, causing dust and dirt on the ceiling to rain down on us.
"What's happening?" I asked as I started to make my way for the stairs, walking on all fours again.
"Remember that time you were told somepony was coming?" Tuner asked from the saddle bags. "Well, they're here."
I stepped outside in between two houses. A vertibuck flew around in the distance while fire stretched up to the skies. Explosions rocked the town, laser weapons went off, and ponies screamed.
A speaker from the vertibuck carried the voice of a mare I had to live with most of my life...
"GIVE US YOUR VISITORS, AND WE WILL SPARE YOU. THERE WILL BE NO MORE BLOODSHED. REFUSE TO DO SO, AND YOU WILL BE EXECUTED."
I turned back to Hollow as her and the rest of the team stepped out. There were in no shape to fight. We had no armor, no weapons, and not a whole lot of places to hide... There was nothing but fields all around for miles.
That only left me with one option...
Firebright was here. They were hunting me. I was the one they wanted.
I had to ensure my team's safety. I was the leader...
I stepped closer to Hollow. "I need you to get them out of here... Get them to New Pegasus."
"Where are you going?" She asked calmly.
"I'm going to stall them..." I replied softly as I took out the radio and stepped even closer, speaking quieter. "Make sure Para behaves..." I took the battery out of the radio and handed it over to her. "Keep this safe."
"What you're doing is suicide." She stated.
"It's suicide for all of us if I go with you. I'm the target..."
"Charger..." Thorne stepped up. "We can go with you."
There was another flash of red light as the roar of energy boomed across the sky.
"No." I said as I slipped the radio into my saddle bags. "It's not safe. Maybe I'll catch up with you, maybe I won't." I smiled softly as I backed up. "I've never really been good at goodbyes... It was nice knowing all of you." I turned my back to them and started to run, before whispering under my shaky breath. "Goodbye..."
"Wait, Charger!" Fluky shouted, her voice filled with tears. "Come with us! Please! Don't go!"
I wanted to stay... I really wanted to...
But I dared not look back. I dared not slow down for even a second. For if I did, I knew I wouldn't be able to continue moving ahead.
My eyes burned with hot tears as I pressed on, towards the destruction.
It was time to face the music.


(((((((◉)))))))


A red, soft glowing powder snowed down on me as I ran down the streets of an obliterated part of the town. It was unmistakable what I was seeing.
It was Saddle all over again...
The ash of the fallen covered my coat as I charged towards the desperate cries of the ponies being killed. They were evil. I didn't doubt that for even a second. But they didn't deserve this.
This wasn't the justice that needed to be acted upon.
Buildings both on my left and right were engulfed in flames and pillars of black smoke. The ones that remained standing, that is. Most had been completely vaporized.
The vertibuck flew overhead from my right as the sky lit up in red again. The ground shook violently as a wall of red light rushed through a church, sweeping it hastily off its foundation and breaking it down into what may as well have been sawdust. Celestia's cutiemark was once standing on the top of the building's bell tower, before the metal statue melted into a hot red liquid.
"CHARGER, STOP!" Firebright shouted from the vertibuck.
I didn't stop. I had to keep moving. I had to stall them for as long as I was able. The others were counting on me.
Lead rained down on and around me in a stream as the mounted turret started spinning. My body was being chewed through.
I arched my back, screaming in agony as black sprayed out of me. A variety of tentacles slid out from the wounds in my back, and I began to feel the bullets leave the same way they came in, only through the tendrils.
They shot the spent rounds of the minigun back up at the pony that operated the turret. They screamed in pain for a moment, before the gun stopped firing, and the vertibuck started circling around.
All the rounds that had riddled me were being shot back at the vertibuck itself. I watched as it came into view. The left engine of the vehicle burst into flame, and it spun out of control, quickly descending to the earth. Several rangers fell out in that time as it started to tilt.
They weren't dead. Power armor had a thing for resisting fall damage...
They were still a problem. Just less so.
I got up slowly, shaking as I groaned. The tentacles still remained as I dragged myself into the burnt doorway of what was once a building.
I lied down on the rubble of what was once an office, judging by the desk and filing cabinets that remained, and began to pull out the health potion that Hollow had given me.
I was so weak... I was so hungry...
I heard something clatter on the other side of the desk I leaned against, and soon after, a colt ran out, crying and whimpering out of fear as he bolted for the exit.
My tentacles had a different agenda than what my mind had.
They lashed out at the kid and wrapped around his hindlegs, tripping him. He screamed as his body was being dragged back into the building.
"NO!" I screamed. "Let him go!" I tried waving my hoof around at the tentacles, beating against them, but it didn't do anything, except hurt me.
"PLEASE, NO!" The colt cried out, trying to grab a hold of anything that could be used to keep him from going any further.
I tried getting up to get as far away from the kid as I could, but I was too weak to move... It wouldn't have worked, anyways. I was reminded that these were a part of me...
The kid screamed louder and louder as he got closer to me. His hooves grabbed a hold of one of the chairs on my side of the desk, but it was only dragging along with him.
"I'm so sorry!" I screamed as tears washed down my face. "I'm so sorry! Please, no!" My vision was obscured from the tears as I looked at him. He looked back. Even though the tears, I saw his face... The look he gave me... It broke my heart... "I can't control it, I'M SO SORRY!"
One of the other tendrils moved up and wrapped around the colt's neck, lifting him up over the debris. He flailed around, trying to get free as best he could. In his attempt, he dropped the chair, still screaming.
"FUCK, NOOOOOO!" I screamed louder, my hoof bursting with electricity. "LET HIM GO!"
I felt my back split open up and down the spine as the kid hovered over me. More tendrils launched out of me and wrapped around his form, pulling him in closer.
And all I could do was lie there and let it happen...
I screamed as I had to listen to the colt's fear and desperate cries in his final moments...
There was another flash of red outside, followed by the thunderous boom. It drowned out our voices for a moment, but once it quieted down again, the screaming took over once more.
I felt his body slowly sink into my back as he begged to be let free. His muzzle was pushed down into me, muffling his voice.
I felt the morphing start... I heard him go from fear to agony as I devoured him...
I felt his body break down inside me...
As his body sank completely within me, dissolving ever so slowly all the while... becoming one with my innards... my back started to close up over him again.
I felt stronger, just like I did with the feral, when this first happened. My hunger was being satisfied. I felt powerful. But I also felt sick. Not as physically sick as I did with the feral. Physically, I felt great. But mentally and emotionally, I was SICK. I was disgusted.
I got up on all fours, crying as I still heard the colt inside me crying in his last moments. I could still feel him try and escape...
And then, as the process was near completion... he went silent.
A thought occurred to me...
That could have been Fluky...
Sobbing and shaking uncontrollably, I grabbed the bottle of the health potion and pressed it to my quivering lips, but before I could get even a drop in, I dropped it.
The glass shattered, and the contents splashed and dripped down through the rubble I stood on.
"FUCK!" I screamed, stomping my forehoof down on the mess. Shards of glass got stuck in my hoof, causing me to wince. I slammed both my forehooves against the desk, screaming in pure anger and frustration. My rear hoof was lighting the room up in a bright red glow as electricity soared, practically engulfing me at this point. It had no effect on me, but I wished it did. "FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!"
All the while, my tentacles waited patiently for their next target. Their next victim.
The electricity from my hoof didn't affect them, either. Presumably because they were a part of me.
"GODDESS DAMNED FUCKING TUNGSTIAN PIECE OF SHIT!" I shouted as the electricity swallowed me whole, obliterating anything that was in the room with me, save for myself and the debris. All I could see were the red, aggressive ripples of energy around me. There was nothing else.
"He's in here!" I heard someone shout from outside.
"YEAH!?" I screamed, glaring at the red blips in my E.F.S. that I had just began to notice. "BRING IT ON, MOTHERFUCKERS!" I charged for the blips, as that was my only sense of sight now.
I rammed through a wall, which the electricity helped destroy. My face hurt from the impact, but I didn't fucking care.
"What in Celestia's name!?" I heard one of them shout as I charged forward, screaming in pure rage. I was fueled by it. It was in my blood now. It was my world.
I rammed into a ranger as they opened fire on me; blasting me with laser rifles.
Now that was a threat to me.
Before they could get their third shot in, my contact with them caused them to scream bloody murder as I cooked their insides just with my close proximity. No armor could mask the scent of burning flesh.
I turned to the next blip on my E.F.S., and shortly after, I heard the heavy hooffalls of power armor running away.
"OHHHHHHH NO!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, getting into a ramming stance as I dragged my forehoof against the ground twice. "WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED!" I ran after them, obliterating obstacles I had no idea were in my path. I tripped a few times, but the tentacles brought me hastily back to my hooves. I imagined in their eyes, they were seeing a giant, red, electrical ball of death plowing through the streets.
It was hard to see the blips on the E.F.S., since they too, were red. But it helped a little bit that they were a different shade from each other. Not by much, though.
What helped more was closing my eyes. I could still see the E.F.S., and the light that got through my eyelids was darker than that of the blips.
I heard the hoofsteps getting closer gradually. I was gaining on them.
"Shit, shit, shit, SHIT!" The ranger shouted as she tried to outrun me. She knew she was done for. "CORE IS AT FIVE PERCENT! REQUESTING ASSISTANCE AT-AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" She broke into a blood curdling scream as her blip started to flicker out of existence. I rammed into her backside, obliterating her lower half between the use of my electricity and tentacles. I felt the tendrils breach through the rear of her armor, stab into her backside in bulk, and disperse, splitting her apart from the inside. Flesh ripped and tore apart around them as she continued to scream. All the while, I stood over her until she went quiet.
I looked all around via my E.F.S., but I saw nothing else on the radar. Still, I kept circling around. I couldn't see what was actually around me. I had to rely on blips.
"TWO!?" I screamed at the heavens. "YOU ONLY THREW TWO AT ME!? C'MON, ASSHOLES! LET'S FINISH THIS! I'M RIGHT HERE!"
I heard the heavy stomps get closer, and a moment later, five red blips came into view. One of them moved into the middle, and the heavy stomps ceased.
"YES." A mechanical, deep voice roared through the sky, shaking the ground softly with the vocals alone. "LET US FINISH THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL."
As my confidence began to diminish, the electricity in my hoof started to shrink in on me. The ball of death that surrounded me was dying by the second, and once my head was clear of the energy, I opened my eyes.
Four rangers stood in a line, facing me. Two of them wielded gatling lasers, and the other two wielded laser rifles.
They were not my main concern, though...
I looked up at a steel colossus that stood as tall as a two story building, looking down at me. The armor was vastly customized. For one, there was no visor to the helmet itself. Not one I could see, anyways. Along the front of the steel mohawk at the top of the head were three giant headlamps, each of which were about the size of a full grown pony.
On both sides of said mohawk were two large cannons that emanated a bright, red glow. Both sides of the armored machine had pre war artillery cannons built in, customized to fit the armor, and both sides of the muzzle, as well as the bottom, housed three massive 50 caliber turrets guns.
I gawked up at the massive beast, having to sit down and take it all in.
There was a deep chuckle that shook the town, before it spoke. "I AM GIVING YOU ONE. LAST. FUCKING. CHANCE, CHARGER OUTLET SURGE. HAND OVER THE ANOMALY, OR DIE."
Why my full name, huh...? Kick me while I'm down, asshole...
"What's stopping you?" I called out, smiling sheepishly as my ears folded back.
"I WILL NOT ASK AGAIN. THE RADIO, CHARGER. NOW."
I sighed and shook my head as I looked down. "Alright, fine... You win. Ya happy?" I dug into my pouch and pulled the radio out. "Can I rest assured you'll let me walk out of here in one piece?"
The giant stood still for a moment, watching silently.
"Yes." Firebright called out. It was hard to tell which one she was. "You'll be able to walk away and live whatever life you have out here. For however long that lasts."
"I want a vertibuck!" I shouted, looking back up at the machine.
"DON'T PUSH IT, ASSWIPE." The deep voice roared through the destroyed town.
"You get to live." Firebright called out. "That's all we're giving you. You have no idea how bad this guy right here wants to kill you." She tapped her forehoof against his leg twice with a metal thud. "And not just kill you... Oh, he has a list of things he wants to do to you. But I'm trying to come to an agreement. If you push, I won't be held accountable for what he does to you."
"Who even is that, anyways!?" I shouted. "You have to send giants to kill me, now? Weak!" I put both forehooves to my mouth and shouted louder, smiling. "BOOOOOOOO! WEEEEEEEEAK!"
"I AM TITAN." The beast stepped forward a few steps, which put us at a much shorter distance than earlier. "BUT YOU WOULD REMEMBER ME AS CRIMSONTHUNDER."
My smile diminished at the name as I was flooded with dread. My ears wilted, and my hoof crackled softly.
He chuckled again. "YES. THE VERY SAME. YOU DID THIS TO ME. MADE ME STRONGER. DR. HERTZ MADE A VERY FINE CREATION." I heard several shells load into the artillery cannons as they aimed down at me. "BUT ENOUGH ABOUT ME."
"Charger, for the last fucking time, just give us the radio!" Firebright shouted at the top of her lungs. "Don't be an idiot! TITAN, STAND DOWN! He's still my brother!"
"SILENCE, BITCH." Titan said, keeping his head locked on me. "FAMILY MEANS NOTHING. GET THAT THROUGH YOUR DAMN HEAD."
"I'll give you the radio under one condition!" I shouted, standing up slowly and carefully making my way forward, holding the radio out.
"NAME IT." Titan replied, Goddesses, my ears were ringing with him this much closer.
I looked at him with a soft, sincere expression, despite my hate for him. "I want to know about my mother... About my father..."
Titan chuckled again. "DEAL."
"TITAN, NO!" Firebright shouted. "It's not our place!"
"SUCK MY DICK, CUNT. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT FOR FAR TOO LONG."
"Deal..." I gently put the radio down and backed away from it at a safe distance. My tendrils were still out, but the rangers didn't seem too phased by it.
The four Steel Rangers moved up as one unit and stopped before the radio. One of them took and examined it carefully.
"Alright, you have the radio now." I said, looking up at Titan. "Now give me answers."
"YOUR MOTHER WAS A UNICORN. AND SO WERE YOU."
My hoof crackled a little more. "And my father?"
"EARTH PONY."
"What happened to my horn?"
Titan chuckled again. "WE RIPPED IT FROM YOUR CRYING LITTLE HEAD AND DESTROYED IT. JUST LIKE I DESTROYED YOUR MOTHER'S SKULL, JUST AFTER I RIPPED YOU FROM HER ARMS. SHE CRIED AS SHE BLED OUT. I MADE SURE IT'D BE SLOW FOR HER. THE ENTIRE TIME, SHE CALLED OUT FOR YOU. KEPT HER EYES ON YOU, ONLY. BEGGED TO HOLD YOU AGAIN. I LET HER WISH DIE WITH HER CRIPPLED BODY, AND I ENJOYED STARING INTO HER DYING EYES."
I took a deep breath as I tried to contain my rage. "What were my parent's names? What happened to my dad?"
"OH, NO." He replied. "I GAVE YOU ANSWERS. NOW YOU HAVE THEM. I'M GONNA LET YOU FIND THE REST OUT, YOURSELF."
"Wait..." Firebright muttered. "This isn't the anomaly..." She looked up at me. "Where is it!?"
I grinned as I slipped my aviators out of my saddle bag and over my eyes. "Far from the likes of you... cunt."
"HM..." Titan started. "SUCH A SHAME. I WAS REALLY TEMPTED ON HAVING THE RANGERS TAKE TURNS ON YOU BEFORE I LET YOU GO, JUST ONE LAST TIME. JUST LIKE OLD TIMES. BUT I THINK NOT."
I stood up and started to back up, still grinning as I saluted them in a mocking manner. "See ya later, ya fucks!"
And with that, I turned and bolted.
"STOP HIM!" Firebright shouted just before I took a heavy barrage of laser to the ass from a gatling. Agh, not again!
The 50 caliber guns on Titan went off, sending plumes of powdered asphalt and dirt into the air around me as the rounds dove in. Some of them struck me in the back and neck, and even went as far as coming out the other end. I cried out in agony, but it was short lived once my windpipe was eviscerated from another round.
Some of the lasers struck the tendrils, sending a whole new level of pain to me as they writhed around in from the feeling.
Artillery shells launched down at me, causing even bigger clouds of asphalt and dirt to sting at my hide as I bolted for safety. An explosion blasted next to me, launching me several feet to the left, behind what used to be the church. Only a small piece of wall that remained kept me behind cover.
I couldn't breathe. Fuck, I couldn't breathe!
I attempted gasping for air, but nothing was coming through.
I heard a soft laugh as clear as day, quite suddenly. Everything else went quiet, as if they had randomly just been teleported away.
"Oh, you poor, frail little fly." I looked up to see White Noise standing behind cover, watching me with her grin. "Why so weak? Why so... mortal?"
I reached a hoof out to her, still trying to breathe. "Hel... m..."
"What was that?" She asked, tilting her head as she kept that grin up. "I could not quite understand you, father."
"Plea..."
Quietly, she nodded her head to were the others were, before stepping out into their view. "It is such an interesting thing, how fate plays with your lives. As if it is a game. Is it not?"
I rolled over on my back and let out a final 'choke,' before the world grew dark around me. My head was throbbing from both the pressure building in my skull, and the pain all around my body. My lungs were practically trying to claw their way out for just a small gulp of oxygen.
White Noise stopped above me and smiled softly, before turning to where the rangers were. I felt something wrap around my tendrils, and at that moment, I felt air flow back in me, despite not breathing. I wanted to take one big deep breath of relief, but I was still unable.
I peeked over the little cover I had to see the rangers had all fallen over on their side, and Titan stayed standing, yet hunched over, looking down. All was still and silent among them. I collapsed my head back down on the road, looking back up at White Noise.
"You are safe. For now." She then looked back down at me and inched closer to my muzzle. "Your time is not now." She whispered, before locking lips to mine.
And then that oxygen I had been given went away. I started to lose my grip of the world around me once more.
I felt her lips part from mine shortly after they met.
She was gone.
I didn't know how much time had gone by, but in my last moments, I heard the voice of a mare. A mare I had been searching for...
"Charger..." She whispered in my ear. It was soft. Caring... I could feel her breath...
"S-gkh..."
"Charger, just hang on..." Snow Star whispered again, pressing her lips to my ear. "Just hang on... I'll take care of you... Don't die on me..." I felt my forehooves get lifted up, and my body get dragged along the ground.
"Ghhhk!" I cried out as blood continued to drain from me.
The world was so dark and cold...
My Snow Star was here... I finally found her...
Or she found me...
"I'm so sorry this happened to you..." She spoke in a worried tone. Her muzzle pressed to my ear again. "Just hang on for a little while longer..."
I could feel her hide against mine. I could feel her breath... For the first time in a long time, I was in contact with my love, and I couldn't see her.
She was so warm in this cold, violent world...
"You'll be okay, Charger..."
Those were the last words I had heard; the last feelings I had felt; the last song that reached my ears, before the world fell away from me.
And on the inside, I was smiling...
> Channel 002.2; Happy Birthday Party
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's really more of a cave. But he's fixed the place up so much that it feels like a house.


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


My stomach was pressed against a cold, metal surface under my own weight. The air was cold and still, and I heard the soft hum of electricity echo throughout the room I was in, giving me the idea that this place was big.
I cracked my eyes open to find this place was dimly lit. To my left and right were a variety of shelves and lockers filled with electronic equipment and gear. Turning around, I found a door at the end. Above it was the Steel Rangers logo, painted in white.
Did they... capture me...? Was I back in the bunker? Why was I here!?
I got up and ran for the exit as my heart pounded in my chest and pulled against the door handle, but it was locked tight...
"Hey!" I shouted. "Let me out of here!" I pounded my hooves against the door, before ramming my shoulder against it. "I know you can hear me! Let me out!"
"Well, I don't know if they can hear you." A certain, optimistic serial killer said softly. "But I sure can."
I turned around to see Happy standing there, smiling softly at me as he leaned against a metal shelf.
"I'll have to ask you to stop yelling. It's rude."
"What are you doing here...?"
"Me?" He raised a brow. "Well, this is sort of my second home." He pushed his weight off the shelf and started to come towards me in a calm, dancing motion. "What are you doing here?" He proceeded to point a wing at me, and I noticed a cigarette was tucked between his pinion. He took a long pull off it before continuing. "I never invited you. And I certainly didn't request this scenery. That's you." He pointed the cigarette at me. "It's just so..." He paused and looked around him as he continued making his way closer. "Doom and gloom..."
I froze for a moment as I stared at his wings, then looked back at my rear hoof to find it was organic again. My original.
I traced my forehoof along the top of my head to be greeted with a horn.
I was in the battery again...
I died?
"Where is Tuner?" I asked calmly, regarding him again.
Happy's smile widened a little. "Right this way." With that, he turned around and started walking deeper into the massive storage room, swaying his body a little, as if moving to the beat of a song.
We walked for a while in complete silence, before I started to hear a song play down one of the aisles abruptly. One from Tuner's inter dimensional playlist, probably. That seemed to be what he usually played. I personally didn't recognize the tune.
Happy stopped at the end of an aisle, then turned to me with a smile, before nodding to where the music was coming from.
I stepped in to find Tuner lying on a crate he had pulled from a bottom shelf, looking up at the ceiling as he bobbed his head to the beat; his rear legs crossed with each other.
Just then, did the singer start. He moved his lips with the words as I approached.

Follow me, don't follow me
I've got my spine, I've got my orange crush
Collar me, don't collar me
I've got my spine, I've got my orange crush

Tuner sat up and looked at me as he cracked a smile.
"Tuner, I need to talk to-"

We are agents of the free

"T-Tuner, c-"

I've had my fun, and now it's time to serve your conscience overseas
Comin' in fast, over me

"Tuner, seriou-"

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

"Tuner!"

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

The steady beat of the guitar started to go without any singing, and I took a deep breath, closing my eyes and hanging my head down. I was too tired for this...
"Tuner, can we seriously just stop this and talk? I don't want to yell or anything... But I really need to talk to you. So please, can we just-"

Follow me, don't follow me
I've got my spine, I've got my orange crush
Collar me, don't collar me

I looked back up at him, getting more and more frustrated that he wasn't taking this seriously. I half expected to hear the crackling of electricity.
Then, as he looked down at me, two cylinder containers popped up into thin air from his magic; one was green and yellow, and the other was orange. They both had a specific design to them.
I read the labels of the capsules as he spoke the lyrics, instead of lip singing them, though I felt he made it up a bit as he went along.
"I've got my Sprite, I've got my Orange Crush." He gave me a grin, but I stared at him flatly, before glancing at the two items he conjured up.
"Ah, come now, Charger." He hopped off the crate and blinked once as the can that read 'Sprite' vanished, and the Orange Crush can opened with a hiss of escaped carbonation, to which the music stopped. He wrapped a hoof around the back of my neck, looking deep into my eyes. "Laugh a little." He said before taking a sip of whatever was inside. "Ya want some agent orange?" He jiggled the can a little, keeping his grin up. "I mixed it with a nice, lethal substance called 'Napalm.' Tastes wonderful when you're already dead." He winked afterwards.
I took his hoof off me, keeping my eyes locked on his. "Why are we in a storage room back in the bunker, if I don't remember this place?"
He gave a soft sigh as he regarded me, blinking the drink away. "Chargie, Chargie, Chargie..." He shook his head as he clicked his tongue. "You have lots to learn. Perhaps Petiole can teach you more about it than I, but... just because you can't remember it, doesn't mean it's not buried in your mind somewhere. I assure you, you were here once. You just can't remember it."
"When was I here?" I asked, looking around the scenery. "There's no way I could have been here. Unicorns... and I... we weren't allowed in storage rooms. We had to-"
"Yes, yes, I know." Tuner rolled his eyes. "Sign paperwork to request parts to use for repairing sections of the bunker, cause your earth pony psychopaths were freaked out at the idea that you unicorns would use the parts to slowly build up an arsenal and fight back if you were granted free access to the storage rooms."
"So...?" I gave him a questioning look, to which he shrugged.
"So?"
"So why do I supposedly have a memory of a bunker's storage room, if I have no recollection of being in one?" I asked, glaring.
"Now, that's the million cap question. The missing piece to the entire puzzle. But once it's found, the picture will be complete." Tuner smiled as he patted me on the back. "If you truly want the answer to that question, you're gonna have to go back to the bunker."
I sighed and sat down. "Not yet... I still have things I need to do before I go there..."
He sat down before me and spread his arms out silently. His smile became warm and welcoming...
I scooted closer and wrapped my arms around him tight, closing my eyes as my chin rested on his shoulder.
"Tuner..."
"Yes, Charger?" He whispered.
"Am I a bad pony?"
There was a moment of silence, and I opened my eyes, worried. Just as I did, he responded.
"No..." He paused. "You're not bad. You've just made mistakes..."
"What I did to that colt-"
"Was not your doing." He interrupted harshly. "You had no control over that... And I'm sorry that happened. For both of you."
I felt myself begin to shake as I closed my eyes again, shuddering under my breath. "I need all the evil to just... stop..."
One of his forehooves ran down my spine gently, before going back to the top and starting over. "You live in a world that's been consumed by evil, Charger... It's never going to stop..."
I froze for a long moment, before nodding slowly. "I... I know..." I squeezed him a little tighter, just for a moment, and continued. "I won't let it consume me... not again... I can't..." I paused and shuddered just from the thought I was having. "What happened to that colt... That almost happened to Fluky... If I lost her, I'm afraid I'd lose myself, too..."
I felt his muzzle press to my ear lightly, and his soft breath brushed past my fur, making my ear flick instinctively. "Then make sure you never lose her..." He whispered softly.
"That's easier said than done..." I muttered.
"But you got what it takes to keep her safe." He replied. I turned my head to him to find he was smiling softly. Our eyes met; our muzzle inches from each other. "I believe in you, Charger. It's time for you to believe in yourself."
I sighed, closed my eyes, and nodded.
"Midnight Skies is wondering why you haven't told Fluky about her, yet. She really wants another friend around her age."
I looked back at him. "I'll try and remember this time."
"If you don't, I'll send more hints to Para to do it for you."
I felt my spirit start to be pulled as we looked at each other, holding one another in our arms. Tuner's smile grew a bit as he regarded me.
"Get out of here, Chargie. There's a certain mare waiting for you in the real world."
I nodded and hugged him a bit tighter for a second, before letting go. "Thanks, Tuner..."
And with that, I felt myself get pulled away from the battery.


(((((((◉)))))))


My back was pressed up to a hard surface. The place was dark though my eyelids, suggesting it was either night, or the sun's light was being blocked from something.
My body ached. My neck especially. But I could breathe. The taste of health potions coated my tongue.
My ear flicked to the sound of other ponies in the distance, conversing with one another. I heard waves, and I both tasted and smelled salt in the air.
There were a variety of blue blips on my E.F.S. It was nice to see nothing but friendlies again...
"Fuck..." I groaned, keeping my eyes shut.
I felt the presence of another tower over me, before a hoof caressed my cheek. I smiled softly at the contact and took her hoof in mine.
"Mm... Snow Star..."
"Not quite..."
I froze upon hearing the voice, before opening my eyes.
I had hoped that Snow Star would be the first sight my tired eyes would lay upon, after waking up from the dead. So when I saw a zebra mare with the most unusual stripes towering over me, her dark red eyes staring deep into mine, I jolted back as my hoof flared up. The stripes were the least I was focused on, once I saw she had the horn of a unicorn! How was that even possible!?
"W-who are you!?" I shouted, keeping my eyes locked on hers as she stood there calmly.
"You would know me as Hollow." She replied, regarding me coolly.
The black stripes around her light grey neck swirled around, almost taking the pattern of orbital paths of planets and moons, while the stripes over her face were thin, jagged, and horizontal, as were the ones around her limbs. The stripes that marked her barrel were vertical, starting at the spine, and the exact symbol of an orbital path with a big, black dot in the center marked her flank. Every smaller dot reserved a line that enclosed the center.
Her mane was cut short in a mohawk and had two shades of grey for a striped arrow pattern, pointing down at her face; one shade much lighter, and the other, darker. Her tail was closely cut to the base.
"Y-you're... Hollow...?"
She nodded slowly.
"But you're a unicorn... zebra..." I was getting a headache trying to fathom that... "How is that even possible!?"
Her eyes softened as she kept staring. "It's not so easy to explain." She took a few steps forward. "Don't raise your voice. It is in need of resting." She held out her hoof, and for a while, I stared down at it, completely baffled with what I was witnessing.
Eventually, I shook myself from the shock and took her hoof, to which she helped lift me up.
"Where's Snow Star?" I asked.
She raised a questioning brow, and I continued.
"I heard her just before I... went somewhere else. She's around here, I know it."
Her eyes grew sad as she looked on, and shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry, Charger. Snow Star isn't here. That voice you heard was me."
"... Oh..." was all I could get out as I felt my heart sink into a deep pit of darkness. I sat on my haunches and looked down.
There was a brief silence before she lifted my head back up with the tip of her forehoof to my chin, looking back in my eyes.
"You will find her. I'm going to help you..." She paused to take a deep breath and backed up. "Your friends are around town, selling what they don't need. We'll need the caps for the trip to New Pegasus."
"Town?" I looked around my surroundings and found all my belongings in the corner of the shack we were in, on top of a stained mattress.
She nodded.
Guess that was the only answer I was getting. Clearly I missed something while I was away...
"Why don't we just teleport directly to New Pegasus, instead of having to trek all the way there?"
"Every time I teleport, I risk endangering myself... and those around me. If I can help it, I try to avoid using my magic. You're not the only one being hunted, after all." She regarded me silently for several moments, before speaking again. "I risked my life getting you out of that town, Charger."
"Why?" I asked, tilting my head and raising a brow, to which she answered simply.
"Because it's the right thing to do." She paused for a moment and closed her eyes. "Our ride should be leaving shortly."
"Our ride?"
She opened her eyes again, looking back into mine with a soft smile, before nodding quietly.


(((((((◉)))))))


I stood at the docks of the town, alongside Hollow, who went back into her armor, which I discovered was nothing more than a small metal pad when it wasn't being used. But when she put it on, it expanded much like the chair... thing... I got from the apartments.
My mouth hung open as I stared at the massive, pre war functional battleship that was being loaded up with cargo and passengers that paid their way on board.
The name along the side, towards the front, read 'E.S. CERBERUS.'
There were six main artillery batteries total; three in front of the bridge, and three behind it. Each battery housed six cannons in rows of two.
Along the sides of the ship were AA guns, all of which were left pointing up at the sky.
I also spotted a vertibuck resting on a tarmac at the rear of the ship.
I didn't think CrimsonThunder... er... Titan, I guess was his name now... I didn't think he stood a chance against Cerberus.
"That's our ride...?" I asked quietly, staring up at the beautiful war machine.
Hollow nodded. "Everything's already been paid for."
I raised a brow and looked over at her. "How?"
"I used some of the stuff we got from the apartments. Drugs pay well. Bits are decent, too."
I opened my mouth to speak in protest, but she cut me off. "I paid with my share."
I calmed down and nodded, before looking back up at the ship. "I appreciate that, but you don't have to do stuff like that."
"Yeah, Charger. I kinda do." She looked down and took a deep breath. "Besides... I make easy money. I can get it all back later."
I don't know why she kept taking deep breaths like that at random. Maybe she had a breathing problem, or something... I wasn't gonna ask, though. Maybe later, but not now.
I looked around the docks at all the busy ponies in the vicinity. Cranes were being used to haul the heavier cargo on board the vessel.
I kept eyeing that vertibuck...
"Say, Hollow..." I smiled as I kept my eyes locked on the vehicle. "Any chance the captain would be willing to part with that?" I nodded to the object of interest, and Hollow turned and looked at the vertibuck for a few seconds, before turning back to me.
"Do you know how to fly one?"
"No, but I know somepony who does." My smile widened.
"Good luck trying to steal it. It's locked up tight."
"Steal?" My smile vanished as I regarded her. "No. Never. I was thinking on buying it off the captain."
"I can assure you that you don't have enough caps for that. But feel free to ask him and embarrass yourself."
My ears fell flat as I turned away from her. I caught a familiar group in my peripherals, and turning to my left, I found Petiole with Fluky on his back, Oku following close behind, and the ranger outcasts around the zebra, almost as if they were protecting him from the others in the area, in case they tried something.
The group got quite a few weird looks from the others as they kept their distance. I suppose it was rather odd seeing Steel Rangers, an Enclave pegasus, and an LED-lit, armored pony that carried a filly on his back with a firework launcher, escorting a zebra through the marketplace.
They stopped before Hollow and I, and Fluky levitated a sack from her saddle bags carefully, before slowly bringing it to me.
"It's your share." Petiole said, looking at me behind a green LED that occasionally flashed blue.
"My share?" I asked, raising a brow at the lot of them.
"We made some great sales." Thorne replied. "With your apartment heist, and my team's salvaging, together, we made up to 12k in caps."
"A little over that, actually." Petiole stated.
My lips curled into a small smile, which, over time, grew wider, until it formed a grin. My eyes lit up, and Cobalt chuckled.
"Reckon that made his day." She said quietly.
"That's together." Petiole remarked. "Your cut is a little over 1,300."
I shrugged, keeping up my smile. "I'll take it." And with that, I stuffed the sack of caps in my saddle bags.
Para trotted up behind them with a small bag of candy canes in his mouth, smiling as he beamed at us.
"Oh, here we go with the candy canes again..." I muttered.
"Heyyy!" Para's eyes shot open wide as he saw me, but kept his teeth locked tight around the pouch hanging from his mouth, displaying the various flavors of candy canes. "He's finally awake! You really should sleep before we start our hikes, Burger."
"Burger?" Hollow looked from him to me, then him again.
I sighed as I hung my head down. "He never gets my name right... just roll with it." At least back then, he always chose something that rhymed with my name! Burger had no connection to Charger!
Para stopped before me and patted me on the head a few times, to which I smiled softly at him. "Good to see you too, Para."
He beamed at me in response.
A horn bellowed across the land moments after, and we all turned to look at the ship as the last of the cargo was being brought on board.
"That's our cue." Hollow said, moving towards one of the ramps that led up to the ship. "Let's get going."
Together, we made our way up to the massive ship that would have a Steel Ranger cream themselves. There was an elder stallion with a navy captain's hat and uniform on, at the bottom of the ramp. He looked healthy for his age, which was a surprise. I imagined most ponies were lucky to live past 30 on the surface, unless they were ghoulified. But he seemed to keep himself in good shape.
He had a dark grey, well groomed mane, and a baby blue coat.
A security guard stood at his side, holding a rifle in her magic as the ponies the captain nodded to walked up the ramp.
As we came up, he turned to us and froze, before whispering something to the mare. She looked at my party, then cocked her rifle.
"Something tells me something's about to go down..." I whispered to Hollow.
"Just let me do all the talking." She whispered back, before trotting up to the captain and his guard.
"Are you insane?" The captain said as he looked at the lot of us as we approached. I stopped beside Hollow, to which he pointed a hoof at me. "This one has a huge bounty on his head! Taking him on board risks my entire operation. Not to mention Steel Rangers and the Enclave pegasus that's with you. That's a whole world of trouble I don't need interfering with my business."
"You already took the caps." Hollow stated. "You've accepted the payment."
"You neglected to tell me about the condition of your party!" He snapped. "I'm sorry, but you can't go on board. I'll give you a refund."
I smiled softly as I regarded him. "How about this?" I started, taking a step forward. The mare pressed the barrel of the rifle to my head, to which I calmly turned to her, keeping my smile up. "Love, you're gonna need a lot more than that flimsy rifle to kill me."
She kept her eyes on mine for a moment until the captain nodded to her. At once, she backed off.
I turned back to him. "You keep the caps she gave you, and in return, we get that sexy vertibuck resting on your ship."
"T-the verti-" He burst into laughter and stomped his hoof on the ground a few times. I frowned at his response.
"Told you." Hollow said in a soft tone.
"Look, kid..." He calmed down and looked back at me. "It's one hundred per occupant. Hollow paid a thousand caps for all of you. There's no way I'm giving up my vertibuck for a thousand caps."
"What if I sweetened the pot?" I said with a hopeful smile.
The captain shook his head and smiled. "Kid, I like your style. But unless you piss machine oil, puke up coolant, and shit out artillery shells, there's nothing you can do that can convince me to give it up."
"Nauticus." Hollow stepped up. "I don't think the Steel Rangers are going to make the sacrifice to attack your ship. Look at her. She's a fortress. They'd be giving up more than they can part with, and that's assuming they'd even know Charger was here."
He paused for a moment, looking at her, to which she continued.
"You think if the Steel Rangers could attack your ship, it'd still be here? They don't want to risk the chance of losing the fight."
Nauticus cracked a hint of a smile and looked up at the ship for a moment. He glanced down at the mare with him, then back to us before nodding. "Alright, you're free to go on board. But don't start anything, or your ass is overboard and in the water... and if the radiation don't kill you, the monsters that lurk beneath will."
"Duly noted." I replied, nodding to him.
"You all wanna share a room? Or is this a personal space situation?"
"I'll take my own room." Hollow said, starting up the ramp.
"Take 45-C." He called out after her, then turned to us. "What about the rest of you?"
"I'll share a bunk with Charger." Petiole said, stopping at my side. "If that's alright by you?"
I nodded and smiled. "We gonna get it on? Test out the bed springs?"
"Don't push it..." He said abruptly as his LED flashed red, before going green again. "Fluky and Para can share a bunk."
Fluky hopped off his back and joined Para's side, putting her teddy bear on her back.
Nauticus nodded to us. "43-C."
Petiole nodded back, then began making his way up to the ship. I followed beside him as we embarked.


(((((((◉)))))))


As Petiole opened the door to our room and started to slowly walk in, I rushed in front of him with a broad smile on my face, pushing him against the steel door frame as he grunted and began coughing excessively from the impact.
"I CALL TOP BUNK!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, before climbing up to the second story of the bed and rolling around on the mattress, claiming my territory. I started giggling as I conquered this new place.
"Char-" He broke into another violent wave of coughs as he hunched over, standing in the doorway. "You fucking cunt..." He managed to get out, before the coughing resumed.
"My, it sounds like someone needs to lay off the cigarettes." Para said as he trotted past, with Fluky walking alongside him. "Smoking is bad for your dental health, anyways."
He spun around as he coughed within his armor. "Shut up. Just shut up. Just shut the-" He was interrupted by more coughing as his LED flickered blue and red. "Just... Just shut up, go over there, and shut up." With that, he grabbed the wheel of the door and pulled it in, slamming it shut and spinning the wheel around. The latches clicked, and he took a deep, raspy breath as a few more smaller coughs came out, before turning back to me.
I looked down at him with a sheepish grin as my ears folded back. "Er... sorry, baby." I stuck my tongue out playfully. "If you wanna share the top bunk..." I patted the spot next to me. "There's always room for one more."
"You shut up, too." He said behind another cough. Shortly after, his LED went green, before flickering blue some more. He lied down on the bottom mattress, leaving my sight.
My smile faltered, and I grew more worried as time went on.
I peeked my head down to see his LEDs were still flickering between green and blue. "Hey, Petiole..."
He looked up at me. "Hm?"
"Are you... okay?" I asked sincerely. "Your suit's been acting up with the whole light thing... If there's something on your mind, you know I'll listen... right?"
He nodded slowly as he regarded me. "Thank you, Charger. But this... This is something that's better left unsaid... I can't do that to you..."
I stared at him for a while, before reaching my hoof down and tapping the tip of it against his armored muzzle. His LED flashed blue for a moment as he snapped out of whatever he was thinking, then looked up at me again.
"Boop!" I said in a quiet voice, smiling softly.
He ran his hoof across his muzzle and chuckled a little, but it died shortly after it was born. "Charger... I need to ask you something..."
"Anything." I said, letting my arm dangle beside my head as I hung over the edge of the bunk bed.
"Why is finding the truth out about your parents so important to you?" He asked in a gentle tone. "I mean... has the thought ever occurred to you that some things are best left alone? That what you know can't... hurt you...?"
I stared silently for the longest time. Where was this coming from? Wait... Was this...?
"Is this related to you and Hollow coming back from the apartments? Cause ever since, you haven't been the same. And I highly doubt it was because of the beast from 32. And, well... I'm not complaining. You were an asshole before that. But... something happened with you and Hollow, and it's been eating away at me for some time."
"Charger..." He paused, before standing up and inching closer to my muzzle. "I think it would be best if you avoided the bunker completely. Go find Snow Star... Forget about Bristle... Forget about the chapter. I beg you. It doesn't matter where you came from. It only matters who you are... What matters is that you're here. I'm begging you, Charger... do not go after Bristle."
Electricity flickered around my hoof, but before anything could catch fire, I lifted it away from the flammable cushion.
"What are you hiding from me...?"
"It's really not important..."
"No, I want to know." I grabbed his face with both forehooves and looked deep into his visor... which was a poorly made decision, since it was a glowing light. I looked away for a moment and blinked a few times, before shaking my head and looking back at him from a safer distance. The lights had been stained into my eyes, even when I closed them. "What the hell are you hiding, Petiole? What do you know?"
"Charger..."
"Answer me."
"Please..."
"Fucking answer." My hoof flared a bit more as I spoke.
"I know that if you find the truth out, you'll be begging to have it ripped from your memory, assuming you don't kill yourself first. You will be shaken to your very core. You think it's bad now, but it'll get so much worse. To levels you can't even begin to imagine. Sometimes, the truth is best to be left in darkness."
I let go of him and sighed as he backed away from me, leaning against the wall and taking slow, deep breaths. I pulled myself back up on the mattress and lied on my back, looking up at the ceiling with my arms spread out.
"I'm going after Bristle. I will destroy him... I will find out the truth."
"You're making a mistake..."
"My whole life is full of mistakes..." I replied softly, keeping my eyes on the grey, steel ceiling. "What's one more?"
A voice spoke through the ship's speakers after two high pitched beeps. The first beep was a lower pitch than the last.
"This is captain Nauticus speaking. We're now enroute to southern Equestria, making drop offs at each checkpoint along the way. From there, we will be crossing the ocean and plotting a course for the Zebrica Wasteland, then circling around toward Hoofington."
"Let's just... rest. Okay?" Petiole said softly. "I think we both need it. All of us need it..."
I closed my eyes and rolled over on my side, trying to shut my mind off. Being dead wasn't being asleep, and I was tired, and there was a great deal of pain in my back, throat, and the hoof that got sawed through.
And my poor, poor ass...
I had laser rash again... Goddess fucking damn it...
But out of all that, the one thing that hurt the most was me... My heart... My soul... I needed the truth... And it seemed that everyone knew more about me than I ever did...
And no one was going to tell me...
I lied there for hours in silence, just trying to shut all the feelings off. The pain, both physical and emotional. The thoughts on what Petiole was hiding from me. It was all too much for me...
The only sounds to greet me were the clops of hooves walking down the corridor outside the room, the heavy rhythmic thumping of the engines below, and the oceans waves outside that caused the ship to creak every so often.
This ship would've been great to use against Bristle, if the bunker was anywhere close to the ocean, and unicorns weren't being held hostage...
I sighed and slipped off the bed, grabbing a hold of the edge, before dropping down safely. Petiole was lying there quietly, but his LED was still flashing between green and blue.
"Where are you going?" He asked, refusing to move.
"Can't sleep..." I muttered. "I'm going on a walk..."
"Be safe, Charger..."
I turned the wheel and pushed the door open, before closing it behind me and locking it up again. From there, I made my way up to the deck.


(((((((◉)))))))


The sun must have been close to touching the horizon when I came up, because the sky on my side was growing to a darker shade of blue.
Ponies worked around the deck, either mopping up, or keeping watch out for anything that could strike.
I stopped at the railing across from the stairs and looked out at the land in the distance, on the left side of the ship. Aft, starboard... I wasn't a sailor pony. I had no idea which was which. Never really studied on naval codes, since I never thought I'd actually see the ocean, let alone travel across its waters on a battleship.
"Distance gives a whole new perception on beauty." Hollow said as she came up from behind.
I spun my head around to look at her as she looked out at the land. I joined her at the sightsee.
"You look at something from afar, and it paints a whole new beautiful picture that you couldn't imagine until you saw it personally."
"Agreed..." I said softly, sitting down carefully. I sat on my haunches to avoid putting any pressure on my butt. "Hollow, what is it you and Petiole-"
"I can't answer that." She replied quickly. "I'm sorry, but it's not my place."
I sighed and looked back at the mainland. "Right..."
"My recommendation - and it's just that - is to focus on finding your lover."
I nodded and took a deep breath. "Yeah... maybe you're right. Finding her was the whole reason I planned to leave the bunker. And I have a lead. That's more important than some revenge kick right now..." I paused before turning to her. "But before I die... I want to save the unicorns that are being held prisoner in there... It's the least I can do for them, after everything I did..."
"And when you're ready to act, I will be there with you." She replied softly, looking back at me.
I opened my mouth to ask why, but she resumed before I could speak.
"Because it's the right thing to do."
I stared for a moment, smiling softly at her, before turning back to the mainland. "How long is it gonna take for us to walk to New Pegasus once we hit ground again?"
"It's funny you assume we're going to be walking there." She replied simply. I turned back to her, raising a brow.
"Well, it's not like we can cut through the land with a battleship."
"We're taking the vertibuck."
I gave her a skeptical look. "But... I thought..."
"I had a talk with Nauticus, and he agreed to have us flown to New Pegasus for a small price. The vertibuck isn't ours, though."
"Let me guess..." I deadpanned. "You paid."
She nodded, to which I sighed.
"Why?"
"I'm rich. I have the caps to spend. You don't."
A smile grew on my face as I regarded her. "You wouldn't by any chance be willing to pay for an entire battleship, would you?"
She paused for a moment, before calmly turning to me. "My generosity only goes so far."
That smile quickly devolved into a frown as I slouched. "Yeah, figured."
"Even if I was willing to pay for it, I know Nauticus, and he's not looking to retire. Ever."
Suddenly, a klaxon went off in two single notes; the first being low, stretched out, and deep, and the second being quick and on a higher note, before it shut off completely.
Ponies in Nauticus' navy ran out from below deck and rushed to the AA guns. The batteries all started to rotate at a slow pace; aiming at the mainland simultaneously.
"All hooves on deck!" Nauticus spoke over the speakers of the ship. "Stay alert!"
The mare that had been with Nauticus earlier ran up to me, glancing at Hollow for a moment, before looking back at me. "The captain wants you up at the bridge, stat."
"Go." Hollow said calmly, still looking at the mainland. "I'll go check on your friends and make sure they're all okay."
I nodded, before getting up. The mare spun around and started running back from where she came. I chased after her, though it was a bit more difficult with my ass hurting like it did.
Whatever was happening seemed serious. Serious enough for me to get an invitation to the bridge...
After climbing a series of metal stairs, catwalks, and rushing through doors that granted us access to lower floors of the tower, we finally made our way up to the bridge. Windows wrapped around the room, slanted so we could easily look down at the rest of the ship. The vantage point was much better up here.
Nauticus turned around to face me as the guard and I rushed in.
A young buck looked through a set of binoculars, out at the mainland.
"He's not doing anything..." The pony that looked to be in his early twenties stated. "He's just... standing there."
"We got a problem." Nauticus said as he stopped before me. "You have an unwanted guest." He nodded to the buck. "Let him see who he brought with him."
The buck pulled the binoculars away from his eyes and levitated them toward me. I took them with a forehoof and looked through after stepping up to the window on the left side of the room.
Far off, in the distance, I saw what they were talking about...
Titan stood tall, facing the ship directly. Several Steel Rangers stood around him as he flashed his headlamps on and off, catching attention even without the binoculars.
"Shit..." I took them away from my eyes and gave them back to the spotter.
"In all my life, the Steel Rangers have never tried even showing themselves near Cerberus." Nauticus stated, regarding me coolly. "I let a Steel Ranger fugitive on board just once, and they show up. Not only that, but they brought a walking tank with them with enough heavy ordinance to blow my baby up ten times over." He pointed a hoof at the flashing lights as he glared at me. "That can't be a coincidence. What exactly did you do to piss them off?"
"Listen..." I said quickly, trying to avoid getting into that headache of a story. "I know them. They wouldn't even attempt destroying your ship. Elder Bristle lost his shit when he heard how the HMS Celestia blew up, over in Hoofington. He wants to preserve tech, not destroy it..."
"Doesn't sound like it." Nauticus replied, before nodding to one of the mares at a ham radio. She turned to the controls and started working on them, before tapping a button on the top of the device.
Titan's voice spoke from inside the room, but at a much softer volume that wasn't so ear piercing than my last encounter.
"Captain Nauticus of the E.S. Cerberus. For years, we have watched you squander the talents the tech you possess has to offer. We have continued to let you do so, and under orders of Elder Bristle, we will continue to let you do so, if you return Charger Outlet Surge to us. He doesn't have to be alive, though if you bring him to me alive, I will pay you 500 thousand in caps. I have some raping to do to him, and I'd prefer he felt it. If you refuse our offer, I will rain hellfire down on you and everything you hold dear. There's no escape. You have ten minutes to shut your engines off, or I open fire, and we climb aboard and kill everypony on board."
Always with my full name, huh...?
The room fell silent as we all just stared at one another.
"That was four minutes ago." Nauticus filled in, looking down at a small puddle of blood that trailed off in drips towards the door. "Our lead radio operator had the misfortune to hear the undoctored message with the headphones. He suffered a brain hemorrhage from the volume alone, and died seconds after."
"Sweet fucking Celestia..." I muttered.
Nauticus turned to the radio operator. "Prepare the others for a salvo strike. On my mark."
"Yes, captain." The operator said, before turning back to the intercom once again to relay the message.
Once she finished, I turned to the radio. "Wait..." I paused, then trotted over to the radio operator. "Can you get a channel open? I need to speak to Titan."
She looked to her captain for a moment, to which he nodded once. She got to work, and I grabbed the intercom, putting it to my lips.
"Alright, you're set." She stated, looking up at me.
I pressed the button on the device down and held it there as I spoke. "You've always been the dumb one, haven't you? You destroy the ship, you destroy the battery. You're after it, which means you know of the power it holds. If you destroy it, then the entire planet is gone. You don't win, either way. And even if you did manage to not destroy the battery on some off chance, it'd be at the bottom of the ocean, and I highly doubt anyone will survive long enough to find it. Or even get close to it. So who are you really trying to fool? Us into submission? Or yourself into thinking we'd actually buy that lame ass bluff?"
There was a long moment of silence from the ponies in the room. Only the sound of static was left to us, until suddenly, a bright red beam of death that I witnessed turn a church into dust shot up at the heavens, coursing through the clouds like red lightning. Through the massive roar, came the heavy, metallic screams of rage and frustration.
As the sky turned red from the beam of light that shortly ceased after, I heard him still screaming in the distance.
"YOU CAN'T HIDE FOREVER! WHEN I GET YOU, I'M GOING TO POUND YOU UNTIL YOUR FUCKING MOLECULES CEASE TO EXIST!"
With a smile plastered on my face, I sat up on the edge of the table, crossed my hind legs, pressed the button down again, and spoke in a soft, teasing voice. "Then it's a date. See you then, shithead."
The buck lifted the binoculars back to eye level, looking out at the mainland again. "Looks like he's leaving."
The room broke into a victorious cheer of laughter as some of them jumped up and down, hugging each other with ecstatic smiles. Nauticus looked on at me with a soft smile. One that spoke respect.
I felt a tap on my left arm, and looking over, I was quickly greeted with a gentle kiss on my cheek, next to the corner of my lips, from the mare that operated the radio.
A small smile crept up on my lips before she pulled away, then smiled back. "That was pretty badass." She put a hoof to her forehead and saluted me. "Kudos to ya. You just saved our asses. And yours, it seems."
Nauticus nodded slowly. "I'm afraid to know what you two were talking about, in regards to this... battery..."
"I'm more worried about whether or not we're at war with the Steel Rangers, now..." The driver stated. I wasn't sure what a driver for a ship was called... if it had another term, or something...
Nauticus looked to him, then to me, mentally asking himself the same question. I could see it in his eyes.
"Well..." He started. "It's kinda too late to turn back, now." His lips curled into a smile as he turned to the driver. "Stay on course. Stay steady. Next stop, I'm popping open the finest of champagne in my possession. All drinks, on me."
"Aye, captain!" The driver replied with excitement as he pushed his hoof against a lever on a dial beside him, before quickly pulling it back towards him, only to stop it at a green light in the middle. It made a series of metal clicking sounds in the process.
I hadn't paid too much attention to it before, so I had no idea what it was originally set on... or what it was, for that matter.
I should've studied more...
"Hey, do either of you got a cigarette?" I asked with a small smile.
"You know what...?" Nauticus reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a small tin. "I'll give you one better." He held the red container out to me.
My smile widened as I opened the tin, to find it was packed full of cigars. I looked up at him. "Thank you." I pulled one out and grabbed my zippo lighter from my saddle bag. I lit up and reached the tin back out to him after closing it, but he shook his head with a light smile on his face.
"I need to quit smoking those cancer sticks, anyways. Consider it yours. As a sign of my gratitude."
"Permission to speak, sir?" The radio operator asked, looking at him.
"Permission granted."
"Work on your sales pitch." She smiled, glancing at me. "'Oh, this box of cancer is a sign of my appreciation to you. Have at it.' Doesn't exactly scream 'thank you.'"
He let out a dry chuckle as he regarded her. "Duly noted."


(((((((◉)))))))


These cigars, I wasn't going to eat. These were too special. A rarity in the wasteland. Instead, I was going to enjoy every second of these priceless treasures.
I stood at the rail, down at the deck of the ship, looking out at the dark waters. I could hardly see the land from where we were. All around us was darkness, and the crashing of waves. Spotlights lit up all around the ship. Usually, I would have considered this a dangerous move. But considering what the E.S. Cerberus was capable of, I wasn't too worried about it.
I had the impression that this ship asserted its dominance over the many seas. Not even the monsters that lurked beneath the waves dared to reveal themselves.
I took a pull off the cigar I had lit as I stared out at the vast emptiness, tearing my eyes away from the cigar tin and sliding it within my saddle bags with care.
I heard a set of hooves behind me, and turning around, I was greeted with Nauticus' presence. I nodded to him with a smile; the cigar still between my lips, before turning back to the darkness.
He stepped up, and I saw the blue aura of his magic glow around his horn in the corner of my eye. I peeked over to see him looking back at me.
I looked away a second and released a torrent of smoke, before going back to him.
"Cans got me thinking about what she said." He stated. "About the whole 'thank you' deal. So... I decided to give you another gift before we parted ways."
"Oh?" I raised a brow.
"I can't give away my vertibuck. But... I pulled this from my personal collection." A full, unopened bottle of champagne levitated around from his side and slid into my saddle bags carefully. "It's a 296 year old 'Lunar Eve.' Rumors say it was princess Luna's favorite drink, back then. So the company dedicated it to her. It's extremely rare... I have only come across three within the 68 years I've been here... So choose each gulp wisely."
"T-thank you..." I said quietly. "But the cigars were enough. You don't have to do this."
"I know I don't." He smiled faintly, patting me on the shoulder. "Granted, none of this would have happened if you weren't on my ship, but you fixed the problem. You just saved my whole operation. So... I'm eternally grateful. Besides, I got one more bottle for me and my crew."
"What happened to the other bottle?" I asked, raising a brow. "You said you came across 3?"
He winced and shook his head. "Goddess damned raider was shooting at me way back when... Shattered the fucking bottle... Still hurts to think about..."
I cringed a little myself just at the thought.
"Cans and Servos made that bitch pay when they pumped her full of lead, so there's that..." He went silent for a moment, before clearing his throat. "We should be reaching the next checkpoint come first light. I'll have some pilots fly you off to New Pegasus then."
"Alright..."
"Now if you'll excuse me, that's enough sappiness for one day. I'm gonna take a shower." And with that, he trotted away.
I nodded slightly, before looking back out at the waters. "Thank you, Nauticus..."


(((((((◉)))))))


The flight to New Pegasus was long, but Tuner kept the others entertained with some music.
Usually, in my situation, I would have cared less for the music. But there was something uplifting about the song that played as we flew over the Mojave. It spoke to me. Made me feel just a little more important. Made me feel powerful.
It had a fast paced, upbeat, yet chill vibe to it, and a guitar very similar to the one I heard in the song outside of Saddle while on the run from CrimsonThunder.
I hadn't slept at all last night, and it was starting to take its toll on me. I had stayed up all night at the deck, just listening to the waves. I had tried to get some shut eye, but my mind wouldn't let me.
Nightmares awaited me.
They were waiting... and I didn't want to deal with them right now...
As the lot of us sat in the airborne vertibuck, I sat at the edge; my back pressed up against the door frame, as my right rear hoof dangled off the edge. My left hind leg was stretched out; the tip of my hoof touching the other end of the frame to the exit. A lit cigar hung between my lips, and my aviators sheltered my eyes from the sun's blinding light.
I looked down at the sandy dunes below, with the occasional camp or ruins of a town here and there. I caught sight of a few hellhounds, too...
Ugh...
They were right up there in my list of things to hate in the squalor of the wasteland, now... Right there, alongside Handy units and buzzsaws... and tentacles of the fungal variety.
I almost ate my cigar right then and there, just thinking about it.
The shadow tentacles that I now owned weren't that bad, oddly enough...
In fact, they seemed to want to help me.
Para happily bobbed his head to the music, Fluky snuggled with her teddy bear and went back to sleep, and the rest of us sat in silence. The two pilots that accompanied us didn't have much to say, either.
The vertibuck touched ground outside of New Pegasus, after a six hour flight, and the lot of us disembarked from both exits on the sides.
There were a few guards stationed outside of the metal wall that sheltered the city, but I noticed that once Hollow stepped into their view, they calmed down.
Once everyone was off, Hollow tapped the side of the vertibuck with her rear hoof, facing the city, which took off soon after, making its way back to the ship.
They certainly had a long flight ahead of them...
Tuner quieted down with the music once our hooves met with the ground again, but Para was still bobbing his head to... something.
I noticed a few griffins here and there, near the entrance, dressed in leather armor. Mercenaries... Oh, great... Wasn't I wanted?
The few of them looked at me and tensed up for a moment, but when Hollow stepped closer to my side, they averted their gaze.
"I got notification that the help I requested is already waiting inside." She replied calmly, before stepping up to the guards.
As the lot of us followed, I stuck by Onyx's side, to which she regarded me behind her Enclave armor.
"Hey, you didn't mention anything about Happy with anyone else, did you...?" I whispered.
"No..." She replied. "Should I?"
"No..." I shook my head. "Thank you for keeping it quiet..."
She nodded slowly. "Thorne, Cobalt, and Astral haven't said anything, either. We kinda just figured you had a reason."
I nodded back. "It's complicated... but Para is harmless. Happy is in the battery, but when he comes out, I make sure to keep him on a leash and not attack anyone."
"Okay..." She whispered as she regarded him in front of us.
As Hollow approached the two guards, one nodded to her, and the other tapped on the large gate of steel scrap two times, before sliding a hoof along its surface, and tapping it three more times. At once, the gate parted into two, revealing the slums of New Pegasus. The casinos could be seen in the distance, but the one that stuck out the most was a giant tower, with four points at the top, pointing north, east, south, and west.
Both the guards and the mercs watched us as we ventured past the gate, into the side of New Pegasus I wouldn't be seeing on any postcards anytime soon.
There was a sign that was made of salvaged parts of other neon signs that read 'Freeside.' Each letter was in a different font, which just made my eyes hurt.
Ponies - the majority of them were poor folk - went about their business, refusing to look at Hollow or the party that accompanied her.
The stench of piss and shit wafted over us like a tidal wave, once the gates were opened, causing many of us - myself included - to recoil a bit. I scrunched my muzzle before covering it with a forehoof.
"Blegh!" Fluky let out, covering her muzzle with both hooves. "It smells worse than a can of farts!"
"They can farts?" Para asked curiously, looking at her.
"I wouldn't be surprised if somepony did." She responded nasally.
There were gun shops and general good stores, and even a small prewar Ministry of Peace office building, as we walked further into the city.
There was a tattered poster behind a display case next to the two wooden doors that offered access to the building, with a picture of Fluttershy, looking back at me with sorrow in her eyes. As if she was seeing the world for what it was...
At the top of the poster read, in big, bold letters, 'WE MUST DO BETTER.'
Above the two doors was a medical cross with a pink butterfly in the center.
I trotted up to Hollow as we made a left turn at an intersection, heading towards a dead end. "Hey, what's the Ministry of Peace building used for?"
Hollow turned to me slowly, before answering softly. "It's a hospital now." She turned ahead again. "A discount hospital for the residents of Freeside. Even when the world is dead, we still work together to keep it going. I can respect that." She stopped at an alley way, before looking to the others, and then her surroundings. She nodded to herself, then began walking in the gap between the two buildings; both of which were boarded up and looked as if they hadn't been used in years.
I followed in after her, and the rest of the group followed me.
We stopped at a door built in the left side of the building, at a dead end, which was left unbarricaded. She ran the tip of her hoof around the center of the door in a clockwise motion, then counter-clockwise, before tapping with the utmost precision, as if pressing numbers on a pad.
After a series of taps on the upper half of the door, she went back to the middle and pressed her hoof against it, keeping it there until the door clicked. She pushed it open and stepped aside, waving her hoof to the door.
"You first." She said calmly.
I looked at her with skepticism. "What is this...?"
"It's quite safe. Trust me."
Reluctantly, I stepped inside, bringing my chair out from my saddle bags and keeping my guard up as I did. My team followed close behind, looking a bit alarmed as well.
However, upon entering, I found that this room was left bare. A few crates and barrels in the corners of the dust-ridden room, but that was it. The front door was boarded up on the inside, too, and beside it was a stairwell that went up to the second floor.
Hollow stepped in and closed the door behind her once everyone was inside. The lock latched, and Hollow calmly moved over to the back of the room, facing the wall. She stood up on her rear legs and touched the very top of the wall with the tip of her hoof, before sliding it down a straight line, hitting the ground. She did the same thing a few feet away to the right of that, and as she waved her hoof in front of it, the wall faded to- wait... what the fuck?
As the wall faded from existence to reveal a cave, everyone but her, Para included, stared in bafflement. Fluky rubbed her eyes and opened them again, as if she couldn't believe what she just saw.
I couldn't believe what I just saw!
"Ooo!" Para grinned. "That was awesome! Do you have any other magic tricks?"
Hollow didn't acknowledge him, but instead, walked into the cave.
"Follow." She said as she ventured into darkness.
I activated my pipbuck light, and the outcasts activated their headlamps, lighting the place up. Onyx seemed to be walking very well without one, which made me think that her visor had a night vision capability. It made sense, especially for an Enclave pegasus. I know they worked under the cover of night a lot, using stealth as a strategy to most of their operations.
The wall materialized from nothing behind us, blocking us in, and the rest of the world out.
Despite being cut off, this place still seemed to carry an oxygen-rich atmosphere, so that was a plus. Not only that, but it smelled kinda nice here. It felt good to breathe, for once. There weren't too many places like this left on Equus.
Shortly after we had entered the cave, I caught sight of a faint, flickering light ahead of us. The closer we got to it, the more I suspected it was from fire. I heard two soft voices talking to one another, but my E.F.S. picked up three friendly blips from that direction.
I folded the chair up and shoved it back in my saddle bags.
Just as we came into the light, we turned right, into an opening. There was a fire pit in the center, with two mares roasting marshmallows, putting them on what looked like a chocolate bar, and squeezing them between two graham crackers.
One was a unicorn, and the other, a pegasus, but she wasn't a Dashite. She still had her cutiemark; a blue shield with the letters 'M.o.S.' within its frame. She had a dark, charcoal mane and tail, about as messy as mine, and glasses. Her coat was a dark grey, and the tips of each feather on her wings faded into black. Her eyes were purple.
The unicorn wore a white coat, and had a black mane and tail, with two thick, white stripes. It was straight for the most part.
Behind her left ear was a black and white, long feather that seemed to almost glow, and in her right ear were two black, ringed piercings on the edge; the bottom one bigger than the top.
Her eyes were green, and her cutiemark was that of a sniper's crosshair. Beside her, resting against some saddle bags, was a rifle.
The third entity, however, was none other than Rivet...
He looked at me as I came into view with a sorry look in his eyes.
"What the fuck is he doing here?" I said aloud, glaring at him as my hoof flared with electric red. At that moment, a pebble struck me in the ear. "Para!"
The two mares looked at me, then at him, then at each other, saying nothing, before turning to me again.
Hollow turned to me as Rivet looked down at his talons. "He's with us, now."
"He only saw me as a means of profit. Fuck him." Pebble.
"Charger..." He said softly, keeping his eyes down.
"No, shove it up your as-" Pebble. "Para, I swear..." I grit my teeth at the frustration that built up inside me. I focused back on Rivet. "I don't want you here."
Hollow shook her head slowly. "Don't be difficult. You said you wanted help without politics getting involved? This is what you get."
I sighed and looked at her. "But he's hired by the NCR to 'watch me.' So having him around is a political move in and of itself!"
"Not anymore." The white coated mare said softly as her horn lit up. She smiled as a folded sheet came out of her saddle bags and unraveled before me. "He's yours, now."
What I saw before me was his contract... The ownership of Rivet as a mercenary...
I took the sheet of paper carefully, skimming through it. "How did you get this...?"
"Two ingredients." Hollow started. "Asking politely, and a big bag of caps."
"And let me tell you..." The unicorn filled in. "The price was still steep." She frowned at Hollow, to which she nodded. "I had to put some of my own money down to get his contract. The NCR really likes him, apparently."
"I'll compensate you later. Thank you, Bullet Storm."
Rivet grumbled to himself softly, but I still heard what he said from where I stood.
"He better not make this a sexual thing..."
"Hell..." Pebble. "... no. There's only one I want to fuck." Wet pebble.
Ugh...
I wiped the water droplets from my ear and scowled at Para.
"Firebright and the other rangers back at the bunker? I seem to recall a few stallions having fun with you." Petiole asked, to which my eyes shot open wide as I spun around at him. My tail stayed glued to my ass as my mouth hung open in shock, and my hoof burst with electricity. "T-that doesn't count! I didn't have a say in that!"
Petiole nodded slowly. "Right... sorry. I shouldn't have said that..."
... Well, he seemed sincere enough...
I sighed and turned back to the new guests. "So, you're Bullet Storm. Who's the quiet one?" I asked, stepping closer to the campfire as I pocketed the contract Bullet held in front of me. My group, Hollow included, followed behind. Some of them took a seat around the fire, but Oku sat against a wall.
"My name's Sora." She replied simply, taking a bite from the tasty, gooey treat she had made, shortly after.
Bullet looked my body up and down, before focusing on my groin region as I sat down. "Hm..." She smiled softly, before looking back into my eyes. "Small for an earth pony, but big for a unicorn... Not bad. Not bad, at all." She gave me a wink and a cheeky grin as a shade of red grew on my cheeks.
"Uh... t-thanks...?" I said nervously.
Sora smacked her upside the back of her head, glaring at her while she sheltered her head with her hooves, nearly dropping her snack from her telekinetic grasp. "Bad. Bad Bullet. Dream Catcher would disapprove!"
"Hey, I can still look! Besides, her and I have an agreement about choosing a stallion when one of us are in heat."
So that's what I was sensing off her... Oh boy...
Petiole seemed disturbed by it, and Astral and Oku seemed a bit restless, but Para didn't seem to be phased by it.
"And are you in heat?" Sora asked, scowling at her.
Bullet looked at me and grinned as she winked, then flicked her tail upward.
"Look, don't get me involved in... whatever this is." I waved a hoof at the two of them.
Bullet turned back to Sora, still smiling. "It's not like I haven't caught Dream Catcher staring at your flank."
Sora paused, and a blush started to grow on her features. "W-wait... she has?"
Bullet nodded.
"O... Oh..."
"Hey," I started, catching their attention again. "How did you see my, uh... junk through my armor?"
Bullet laughed a little. "Cybernetics. I can see through obstacles... much like your new friend, here." She pointed at Hollow.
Hollow turned to Thorne. "Charger, Bullet, Sora, and I have some business to tend to." She pointed down another cave to the left of where we all came from. "There's a place to relax down there. Running generator and lights, some reading material. Beds, if it's sleep you're after." She turned to Rivet next. "You can go with them, if you desire. We're gonna take a bit of a walk."
Bullet chuckled softly as she regarded me, then turned to Sora, before whispering in her ear. Sora recoiled a bit and shoved her.
"Hey, what did I say about personal space? I don't like being touched!"
"Right, right..." Bullet said, backing up a bit. "Sorry..."
Sora sighed and smiled softly, looking to her friend. "Sorry I snapped."
"It's okay. No worries." Bullet nodded gently, before standing up.
The rest of my group, Rivet included, took Hollow's advice and followed Thorne to the resting area she had described.
Astral was the last to leave with the group, and as he passed me, I heard him mutter. "Lucky fucker..."
"And if you hear moaning or screaming, don't worry!" Bullet called out with a shameless smile.
I covered my face with a forehoof and shook my head, smiling a little.
Sora stretched her wings as she stood up and groaned softly, and Hollow started to walk down to a separate tunnel. I kept my pipbuck light on so that I could see where I was going. Bullet walked alongside me, Hollow walked ahead, and Sora took my six.
"So, where are we going?" I asked as I tried to distract myself from Bullet's tease. I could feel my armor getting tighter...
"Think of it as a planning center." Hollow said with slight amusement in her voice.
Bullet laughed a little and nudged my flank with her own. I blushed a little, but said nothing. Sora remained quiet the whole time.
A couple minutes in, I started to hear droplets of water echo across the caverns, along with a bubbling sound. Droplets burrowed into my mane, sending a cold shiver across my body as we trekked through the tunnel. My pipbuck didn't click even once when I was exposed to water, which had me think that this was pure. Radiation hadn't seeped into this place.
Every moment that passed, the splashing and ripples of water grew louder.
We came to an opening, but all around me was darkness, as the pipbuck light didn't do much for seeing farther out. The highway tunnels outside of Saddle was enough evidence of that.
I caught sight of a few plants here and there; red and blue mystic beauties that had never been mentioned in any of the books I had read, back at the bunker.
A comfortable warmth started to envelop around me.
"You're up, Bullet." Hollow said as she walked further into the darkness.
Bullet's horn lit up in a bright, white aura, before an orb of light launched from her horn and hovered over a body of bubbling water. Steam rose to the ceiling, building up a moisture on the rocks and allowing droplets to form and come back down, only to repeat the process.
"Welcome to nature's jacuzzi and sweat lodge." Bullet said as she nudged my shoulder with a proud grin. She stretched her legs out and groaned as I heard bones pop.
"I thought we were gonna figure out where to look for Snow Star." I stated, looking around. "I mean, the place is beautiful and all, but..."
"Hey..." Bullet said as she wrapped a hoof around my shoulder. I felt her magic start to mess with the zipper that kept me confined to my barding. As it slid from my groin, up to my neck, she continued. "Relax, Charger."
"You'll find it to be much easier when your mind is put at ease." Hollow filled in. Her armor started to disassemble itself as she stood there, looking out at the water, revealing her body to me. With how short her tail was, I saw quite a bit...
She looked over her shoulder and smiled softly at me as Sora trotted up to a boulder that arched over the pool. She spread her wings and flew up to the top, before laying down on its surface and crossing her forehooves with each other, looking down at the water, smiling softly.
Hollow's armor folded in on itself at her chest, before becoming a small metal box, similar to the one that turned into my chair.
She put it down beside a plant and walked over to me as Bullet just finished unzipping my suit. She took my saddle bags in her mouth and lifted them off my body, carefully setting them down next to her stuff, while Bullet stripped me down.
"You're comfortable with me being here with you three?" I asked, looking from Hollow to Bullet. "Y'know... seeing as I'm a male with an active sex drive...?" And with three gorgeous mares - one of which was in heat - that are all naked, along with me, about to be in a glorified jacuzzi together...?
This was starting to sound like a porno...
Hollow laughed softly under her breath, looking back at me with a flattered smile, and Bullet giggled as she slid my forehooves out from the barding and worked her way down my body. "You're not so bad, yourself." She whispered in my ear.
Wait... how did she know I was thinking that...?
"But you could've fooled me on being a male, at first glance." She continued. "You have a very feminine look to you."
I deadpanned as I looked ahead. "Yeah, thanks for reminding me..."
"Hey, it's cute!" She said reassuringly, sliding my barding away from my flank and down my legs. Soon after, she whispered. "Nice ass, by the way... Very cute..." I felt her magic start to caress something a little more sensitive than my ass...
I bit my lip and closed my eyes for a moment at the touch, before shaking my head and scowling. "Okay, you know what...?" I looked over my shoulder to see her eyeing a more private part of me. My tail quickly sheltered that from her view.
"That's enough, Bullet." Hollow said, looking at the two of us with a gentle smile. "If he doesn't want to do anything, then let's respect his wishes."
"Alright, alriiiiiight." Bullet rolled her eyes, smiling softly.
Hollow's smile widened a little, before she stepped into the water and sank down to her neck. She swam to the other end and leaned her back against the wall, stretching her arms out and keeping them on the rim of the ledge behind her, looking at the two of us with a satisfied look.
After Bullet got the rest of my barding off, she ran for the spring and jumped in, curling up into a ball.
"GERONIMO!" She shouted as she plummeted down into the water, disappearing beneath the surface. When she came back up, poking her head out from the surface, the feather in her mane started to glow brighter. She laughed as she swirled around. "Come on in, the water's great!"
I was gonna need to take a cold shower or something after this... That, or take care of something a bit more personal, by myself...
The teasing didn't help.
I smiled softly as I calmly stepped into the water, sinking down to my neck. It was starting to get deep enough though, that I couldn't touch the ground with my rear hooves, and that gave me pause. I looked at the others as they stared back. Bullet's smile faded, and Hollow cocked a brow.
"What's wrong...?" Bullet asked, swimming closer to me.
"I, uh... I don't know how to swim..." I looked down at the water, unable to see under portions of it through all the bubbles.
"Oh..." Bullet paused for a moment, and Sora looked down at me with a raised brow.
"The bunker I was from didn't really have swimming pools or anything. Just showers."
"It's nothing to be embarrassed of." Bullet's smile came back, and she moved in close, taking my hoof in hers and putting it around her shoulder. "Here, I'll help..."
Together, we made our way across the body of water, over to Hollow. She carefully let me go at Hollow's left, and Bullet took a spot at mine. I felt both their hooves wrap around my shoulders, and Bullet scooted a bit closer; her hip pressed to mine.
Sora smiled softly, before resting her chin atop her forehooves. She took her glasses off with the pinions of her wings and closed her eyes.
"So, where exactly are we?" I asked, looking around. "There's no way this is under New Pegasus."
Hollow nodded. "Spot on." She turned to me; her muzzle almost pressing to my cheek. Her breath was hot against my fur. "We're miles under Zebrica, currently. This place is unknown to many on Equus."
"Wait... How did we go from New Pegasus to Zebri-" I raised a brow and looked at her, but in doing so, my muzzle pressed up against hers, and our lips almost met. We stared silently at each other as a deep shade of red formed on my cheeks.
"You were saying?" She whispered; her breath on my lips.
I pulled away, and found she was smiling at me. "S-sorry..."
"Nothing to be sorry for." She glanced at Bullet, then back at me. "Just say the word, and it'll happen. We both know you're thinking it. Seeing as we're 'three gorgeous, naked mares.'"
"And one of which is in heat." Bullet whispered in my ear.
"Oh, for the love of the stars, get a room!" Sora shouted from atop her boulder, frowning down at us.
Bullet chuckled. "Well, maybe not from her. But Hollow and I are a different story."
I was tempted, admittedly...
"I'm flattered." I said with a soft smile, regarding the two of them individually, before focusing on Hollow again. "But I have to keep myself in check. I'm loyal to Snow Star... and she's out there somewhere. She has to be. So I'm gonna have to decline the offer."
Hollow kept her smile up as she nodded. "And I respect your decision. Though..." She paused, and as her forehooves dipped into the water, I felt their tips rub along my excitement gradually; all the while, her eyes stayed locked with mine, before whispering. "You may wanna take care of that later..."
I gasped softly at the contact and bit my lip again.
"We're not gonna stop teasing, though." Bullet said with amusement.
Shortly after, Hollow chuckled and brought her forehooves back up on the rim of the ledge.
I sighed and looked down at the water again. "I already messed up, honestly... At the bunker, I didn't really have a choice. It was either sell my body as the price of survival, or die in that bunker... but when I got out of there, I ended up fucking another mare. I was blacked out drunk, but that's no excuse..." I looked up at the two mares at both sides of me. "I regret it."
This time, Hollow scooted closer and kissed me on the cheek. "Believe it or not, you're better than a lot. I've been around, and I've seen various ponies cheat without a second thought, and even after they commit the act, they don't care. You seem to, though."
"And even then, it's not really considered cheating, because... well..." Bullet paused. "... Who knows where Snow Star is? And it's not like you two are together anymore."
I looked at Bullet Storm as my jaw dropped, to which she grit her teeth nervously. "Er... I didn't mean it like that. Sorry... I didn't... fuck..." She covered her eyes with a hoof and sighed. "I mean... surely you've thought about that, right...?"
Reluctantly, I nodded. "I also thought about if she fell in love with someone else. The thought hurts, but in the end, I just want her to be happy. So I have to know. She doesn't have to take me back... Just as long as I know she's happy..."
"And ponies say love is dead." Sora replied softly, keeping her eyes closed as she held her smile up.
"How did you know about all that?" I asked as I gave Bullet a questioning look.
"Hollow filled me in."
"Oh. Right..."
Well, that was a relief. I was tired of having to tell the same story over and over again.
I wrapped both my arms around their shoulders and leaned my head back, closing my eyes and taking in the feeling of the hot spring water soaking in my coat.
"Goddesses... I needed this..."
"I dig the fangs, by the way." Bullet stated. "It's a good look on you."
I cracked an eye open, looking at her as I grinned. "Thank you. Still unsure why I have them, though."
"Just be careful." Bullet continued. "A certain singer from somewhere might mistake you for a bat and eat you."
My eyes opened wide as I looked up at the cave ceiling for a moment. "What...?"
Bullet and Sora both let out a laugh, and Hollow chuckled softly.
"ALL ABOOOOOOOARD, HAHAHAHA!" Bullet shouted, before swooping in and pinning my back to the ledge with her body. But in doing so, I felt a certain, pleasant something slide between her legs, causing me to yelp and shoot up from the surprise. She gasped for a moment as her muzzle pressed to my neck, but she didn't let up, and started nipping.
"H-hey!" I blurted. "Hey..." My eyelids flickered closed as I breathed softly.
"M-mmm! Bat mea... meat..." She started to speak softer, before backing up and quietly looking into my eyes, panting softly as she gently slid along what was between her legs. I looked back, panting a little bit myself, wondering what the hell just happened.
I wish this damn boner would just go away...
"H-Happy Corona!" She said with a soft grin and a light blush.
Hollow chuckled softly as she shook her head. "Careful, Bullet. You know the rules about the natives. That doesn't exist here."
"Yeah, yeah..." Bullet rolled her eyes, staying in front of me, intentionally moving back and forth a little bit as a tease. "But you of all people know that rules are meant to be br... broken... Otherwise, how are we supposed to have any fun?"
"Uh... w-what... what are you two talking about...?" I asked, raising a brow as I stayed pinned against the ledge, looking at the two. Bullet kept her hooves around my back, still smiling at her little adventure.
Damn it, this felt too good...
We weren't actually having sex. It was more rubbing than anything else. A part of me was wanting it more and more as time went on, though...
Bullet looked at Hollow for a while in silence as she contemplated something. "Well, I suppose Charger would be an exception... Tuner had already spoken to him, so he knows things..."
They knew Tuner...?
Bullet's eyes lit up as she turned back to me, stopping her motion. "Sora, Hollow, and I aren't from around here."
"What...?" I looked at the three of them. Sora was now watching with a gentle smile.
"Technically speaking..." Hollow started, snuggling a bit closer to my body, before pressing her muzzle to my ear. "We're aliens."
"Extra terrestrials from the stars." Bullet filled in. "Each one of us is from a different universe." She raised her forehooves out from the water and waved them around a little bit on both sides of her head as I felt her rear legs work on keeping her afloat. "OOOOooooOOOOooooOOOO!"
I observed the three of them for a moment, before a small smile crept up on my lips, and I replied simply.
"Oh."
Bullet and Hollow paused as they regarded each other. Sora spoke up.
"Guess he knows more than you think."
"I wasn't... expecting that." Bullet frowned. "Damn. I'm kinda bummed out about that, now."
My smile widened a bit. "I kinda always figured there was something more out there. More life. It only made sense. Why would this be the only planet with life, in a sandbox so vast and infinite? Tuner kinda proved it was true, when he talked about his music, and even then, I didn't have much of a reaction to it. So it was never really a surprise to me."
"Most ponies would have been shitting themselves at this point." Bullet stated simply.
"Let's be glad he isn't." Hollow filled in with a disgusted look. "I'd rather not be swimming in someone's fecal matter."
Bullet chuckled and nodded. "Agreed."
"Well..." Hollow said in a soft tone, looking at me with a gentle smile. "Now that that's out of the way..."
Her muzzle inched closer to mine as she looked down at my lips; her eyes half-lidded. Bullet kept me pinned against the edge, nibbling at my ear as she continued her motion.
I heard Sora express her disgust in the whole thing vocally.
Just before Hollow's lips met mine, her forehooves pressed down on my head, dunking me in the water for a second.
She let go soon after, and I sprang back up, coughing and hacking as water washed down my throat. I felt my insides writhe from the warmth of it.
Bullet laughed as she backed up a bit, and Hollow just stared on like a smug bastard.
I turned to Bullet after calming my lungs down, and grinned, revealing my fangs. "Oh, if you think it's so funny..." I lunged forward and grabbed a hold of her, to which she screamed in the middle of her laughter.
"Agh, help!" She shouted as I lightly nipped at her chest. "Hollow, don't just sit there, HELP! Hahaha!" Her hooves wrapped around my upper back as I started to descend under the water more, sliding down her body as time went on. My muzzle pressed to her stomach, and I slowly went towards her navel. She kicked her legs rhythmically to keep herself above water. All the while, I could still hear her calling for help amidst her laughter.
I heard water splash behind me, and soon after, I felt hooves wrap around my barrel from behind. A body was pressed up to my back as my muzzle was buried further into her navel. Bullet went quiet for a moment, before I was lifted back up to the surface.
Once my head was back up, I took a deep breath, smiling at the entertained mare before me. Looking down, I found Hollow's hooves meeting at my stomach. Bullet kept close to my front.
I had to admit... I was having fun.
I wasn't too sure about how I felt with the flirting and teasing. It was all just playful, but if it got too far, I could always just say no.
"Y-you got pretty close to my tits, Charger." Bullet said with a blush, to which I felt myself do the same.
"I did...?"
She nodded, and I chuckled. "Bet you would've loved that."
"M-maybe..." She averted her gaze, still smiling as her cheeks grew more red.
"Alright, let's relax, before things escalate any farther." Hollow said, letting go of me and swimming back to her little spot.
Bullet and I both nodded to each other, before we made our way back to Hollow, taking our initial spots.
"Apologies for all that." Hollow said. "It's been a while since either of us did anything with a stallion. Sora too, actually."
"And I intend to keep it that way." Sora called out. "No mares, no stallions, and no aliens!"
Bullet and Hollow chuckled, to which the unicorn muttered. "Someday..."
"It's been a while since I did anything with a mare willingly and sober, so... It's all good."
Hollow nodded and took a deep breath as she closed her eyes. She exhaled through her mouth slowly.
"How's that going for you?" Bullet asked, looking over.
Hollow turned to us and smiled softly. "It does the trick."
"May I ask why you keep doing that?" I asked, regarding her. "Is it like a breathing problem, or...?"
"My lungs aren't organic. I prefer having cybernetics, but every once in a while, I want to feel organic again. So manually breathing helps remind me I'm still alive."
"Why are they cybernetic?"
Hollow smiled faintly, but looked away. "It's not important." She paused for a moment. "So... Do you have any clue where Snow Star might have gone?"
"I was told she was last seen headed east from Virtue."
"Virtue." She nodded. "I know where that is. Okay. You, me, and whoever you want to come with you can start from there. Bullet Storm can search along the northern and southern hemisphere. Sora can travel along southern Equestria."
"It was years ago that she was last seen." I pointed out.
Hollow smiled. "So we keep walking until we reach the eastern shores. I'm always up for a little adventure."
"Hear, hear!" Bullet cheered. "I consider this a vacation for me, so a little wasteland stroll sounds pleasant."
"If any of us find anything, we'll signal you, of course." Sora filled in with an assertive nod.
"As much as I hate to wait," I started. "I suggest we let everypony rest up before the long hike. Give them maybe a week? I still got some life left in me." Assuming the shadow virus inside me didn't kill me, first. That's something I had to take into account.
The three mares all nodded in agreement.
About forty or so minutes passed, before we stepped out of the hot springs. Hollow, Bullet, and I lied down on a ledge that dropped down into the water, across from Sora's boulder. I lied on my stomach with my forehooves crossed, looking down at the spring with satisfaction. I guess I really was stressed out. Too stressed. I definitely needed this little get-away.
Thankfully, my body decided to finally calm down, and the excitement died.
Hollow lied on her back with her rear legs crossed with each other, looking up at the flora and vines that hung from the cavern's ceiling. Bullet rested her back against my side as she knelt her head down.
Sora stood up from her boulder, stretched, spread her wings, and flew over to us, making a soft landing beside Hollow and sitting at the edge.
"Nice for you to finally join us." I said, regarding her.
She gave me a faint nod and smiled tenderly. "I wanted to join in on the fun you're all having here. Better than being alone."
"True. That." Bullet said emphatically as she raised her forehoof to her eye level.
"Hey, Bullet?" Hollow asked, sitting up a little and looking over my body.
"Yes, mommy?"
Hollow paused as she deadpanned. "Don't... call me that. I'm not your... mom..." She shook her head gently and smiled.
"Awww, I thought that was your thing, though!" Bullet said in a teasing voice.
"No, that's your thing."
"Alright, alright, fair enough, fair enough..." Bullet tilted her head back, leaning against my spine. "What's up?"
"How is he?" Hollow asked quietly.
Bullet went quiet for a moment. "He's pissed. As always. Trying to find you."
"He has every right to be." She responded, lying back down and staring up at the ceiling. "I wish I could make it up to him..."
"With how he's been talking, something tells me he's never going to give up until either one of you drop dead."
"Who exactly are we talking about?" I asked, raising a brow.
"The one that's hunting me down. I... did something to him..." Hollow started to speak quietly. "I've been running ever since."
"What did you do?"
"Metaphorically speaking, the same thing the bunker did to you."
My hoof crackled softly as I turned, glaring at her.
"I mean... I took away everything he fought for. Everything he cared for. His entire future, gone..." Hollow took a deep, slow breath and closed her eyes. "I was being stupid. But there's nothing I can do to make things right. He's hunting me, and the people he looked up to are hunting him."
"It sounds like you care about him a lot." I stated as my electricity started to diminish, and my expression began to soften.
She opened her eyes again and looked at me with her calm, gentle smile. "I do. He's one of the good ones. Even now, he has a good heart."
"What are you gonna do if he finds you?" I asked, to which Hollow sighed, hanging her head down.
"I'm not going to kill him, if that's what you're implying. But I'm not going to let him kill me, either. I stared death in the face once before, and I've been terrified of it ever since."
The group fell into an awkward silence for a long while, before Bullet broke it with her enthusiastic charm.
"Hey, wanna hear about space?"
"Oh, here we go with this, again..." Sora sighed with a soft smile. "Whatcha got for us this time, boss?"
Bullet rolled over on her stomach, laying across my back. Looking over, I saw she was grinning ecstatically.


(((((((◉)))))))


"-and then, Charger, there's these things called black holes. They're big, they're mean, and they're strong. They are the masters of sucking! Not even I can suck as good as them, and let me tell ya, I am great at sucking! I'm fuckin' Kirby up in this bitch!"
Who the hell is Kirby...?
Sora rolled her eyes and shook her head as we walked back through the tunnel we came from. Our coats were damp from the bathing and the moisture in the air from the hot spring, and our minds were relaxed and put at ease. Well, Hollow, Sora, and I. Bullet was rambling on about how space worked, and what was in it.
"And what happens when you get sucked by a black hole? Do you know?" I asked.
Bullet burst into a rambunctious laughter as she stomped her forehoof down a few times. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA no. Never get sucked by black holes." She lifted her hoof to eye level as we walked. "Death by suckage might sound nice to some, but not with these bad boys. They'll tear you apart." She paused, looking up at the ceiling in thought. "Or maybe that is your thing. I dunno. I've known a lot of weird fetishes, but I'm no kinkshamer."
Sora sighed and hung her head down. "How is it you manage to compare space with sex? Like, all the time!"
"Hey." Bullet grinned, looking her over. "If there's one thing I love, it's space and sex. And bacon. Glorious, wonderful, mouth-watering bacon..." Drool started to drip from her mouth as she got lost in her fantasies.
Hollow chuckled softly. "Only Bullet..."
"Stay with us, boss." Sora said, waving a wing in front of her eyes.
Bullet blinked a few times, then looked around, before wiping her lips dry of saliva. "Heh, woops..."
We stepped back into the opening where the campfire was, and Bullet levitated her things, along with Sora's as we made our way down the cavern where the rest of the team took off to. Hollow's belongings, as well as mine, rested comfortably on our backs, folded neatly, with the help of Bullet's magic. Hollow dared not use hers for even basic spells, like telekinesis. After what she told me, I could see why.
A couple minutes through the cave I had yet to explore, there was a fork in the path. Three options. Left, straight ahead, or right.
We proceeded straight ahead, towards a series of floodlights run by generators that were almost dead silent. There was a soft hum to them.
It curved off to the right, before coming to another opening. In here, was a series of beds, weapon lockers, chests, and even a bookshelf filled with literature that seemed to be in pristine condition.
Onyx was reading a sci-fi fiction book, judging by the cover. She was using her wings to hold the book and flip the pages as she sat in a bean bag.
Astral was laying on a mattress with his forehooves behind his head, crossing his rears with each other. Both their power armor sat in the corner of the room.
Thorne and Cobalt must have been elsewhere, as well as Para, Petiole, and Fluky, because they weren't here. Oku however, was sitting on a bed quietly, until Hollow stepped in.
At the sight of her, his eyes shot open wide, and his jaw dropped, before he quickly shot up from the mattress and pointed a hoof at her, shouting in his zebra tongue. I knew nothing of their language, but it was safe to assume he was fuming.
Onyx shot up from her book, gasping as he started screaming at Hollow in his native language. She replied back in a soft tone, in that same language, trying to be the reasonable one.
He spun around to me, glaring. "Why are you traveling with this demon!? This... This devil!"
"Uh..." I looked to her, then back at him as everyone else stared quietly. "I'm not sure what's happening here."
He sighed before muttering something under his breath. I couldn't make out what it was he said, though. "Long ago, when the planet was fresh and rich, the Starkatteri tribe had an OBSESSION with stars! They talked to them, bargained with them, and not long after, a mare came down from the stars that represented not only six different zebra tribes, but one of you unicorns, as well!"
"Achu, Carnilia, Mendi, Orah, Roamani, and of course, Starkatteri." Hollow filled in with a soft smile as she regarded me.
"Silence, she-beast! Hold your snake tongue!"
"Okay, but why is this a problem?" I asked, raising a brow at the two.
"She was worshipped by the Starkatteri as a Goddess, and a messenger. And she convinced them to try and take over everything! Rule everyone! Helped make them see themselves as the better tribe! Because of that, hundreds of thousands, if not millions died from a meteor strike on the land that THEY summoned, all for their Goddess! She tried enslaving us, and when we fought back, she tried killing us! We almost lost!"
"Uh..." I looked at Hollow. "I mean, her design is a bit peculiar, but she'd be nothing more than dust at this point. Don't you think?"
"Actually," Hollow started. "It was me that led the Starkatteri against the Twelve." She smiled softly and sat down. "I don't deny that."
Oku turned his glare to her. If looks could kill, she'd have been a pile of battered meat by now.
"You are evil incarnate! I was a fool to be swayed by your infectious words, Aurora!"
"Aurora?" I looked over at her, to which she nodded.
"It was my name, back when I was their Goddess. But I went my own way, after they failed their task. Abandoned them." She paused and looked back at Oku with soft eyes. "Yes. It's true. I led the Starkatteri against the Twelve, and they became the One for it. It's true that I tried enslaving and taking control over every other tribe by using the Starkatteri, by becoming their Goddess. But what I did not do was summon the meteor strike to rain down on everyone and everything. That was their decision. They made that choice on their own, and for that, I left them as their punishment. To show them that their Goddess was disappointed in their actions. Up until a generation ago, I left my slumber and arose from beneath the soil to join the world again."
"How are you still alive?" Astral asked, regarding her.
"I suppose that, in some sense, I am a Goddess." She replied with a soft smirk. "Not in a literal sense, but... I don't age."
"Neither do we." Bullet stated. Sora nodded in agreement. "I'm 108 years old. Sora is 89. And Hollow?"
"My age is in the millions, in this dimension alone. I spent a bit of it watching the planet from afar, until I found my opportunity to become a part of it and shape it to my liking."
Oku huffed and looked away from her, sitting back up on the bed as he muttered to himself in the language I didn't understand.
I looked back at Hollow with worry. "Did you choose Aurora yourself?"
She shook her head. "It was the name I was born with. I later switched it to Hollow, after what I did. Using my original name here was the only exception."
I sighed as I made my way to a pile of pillows and 'pomfed' down on them. "You do know I don't condone slavery, right?"
She nodded. "Neither does Sora. But what I did was a very long time ago. I've changed. You of all ponies know that anyone can change."
I nodded slowly in response. "True..."
She turned to Oku with a soft smile, before walking up to him. He recoiled a bit as he glared at her, but she reached out a hoof. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused."
"I really am cursed, aren't I...?" He whispered, looking down. "I can't believe I'm traveling with a star demon and a Goddess..."
"Hey, it's not every day you get an apology from a God." Bullet said with a grin plastered on her face. "Consider that a deep honor."
Hollow smiled faintly as she looked over her shoulder. "Can we stop calling me a Goddess? I stopped being that when the Starkatteri went against my better judgement."
"What is it you want from me...?" Oku asked, looking up at her with worry in his eyes. "What is your end game?"
Hollow kept her smile as she regarded him. "I've done a lot of bad." She stated calmly. "I have a lot to make up for. Because it's the right thing to do."


(((((((◉)))))))


After things had settled back down, Hollow started digging through one of the weapon lockers and pulled out a small metal box, very much like the one I had that turned into a... sigh... a chair...
Bullet and Sora had stepped out of the cave once everyone calmed down again, but I had no clue where they went off to.
Hollow pulled out three depleted power cores, before turning to Astral and Onyx. "Do any of you have dead cores?"
"My core is running on fumes at this point." Astral pointed out. "Does it have to be dead?"
"No." She shook her head. "Can I take it?"
He waved a hoof to his power armor. "Be my guest. I have a few cores left."
"Sorry." Onyx said softly as she looked up from her book. "I always just tossed my empties off into the wasteland, and my last one is at 50 percent."
"Hey..." I said as I shuffled around a bit in my bed of pillows. "Para was collecting my depleted cores, back when I had power armor. Maybe he still has them."
Hollow nodded. "Good. I'll ask for them when he comes back from the pantry."
My ears perked up at the word. "Pantry?"
A hint of a smile cracked on her lips as she nodded. "That's right."
"Just how big is this cave, exactly?"
"Big."
"Very descriptive of you, Hollow." I said with a dry chuckle as I started to go through my pipbuck. "I'm gonna go look for Petiole." I said as I clicked on his tag.
"Don't get lost." She replied as she took out the core from Astral's armor and set it next to the others that she had made a collection of.
I stood up and started following the blip on the map that was on my screen, back towards the forked path, on my right side.


(((((((◉)))))))


As I entered another cave opening, I started to hear a shower head running... which was odd, considering we were in a cave. But I wasn't gonna look too deep into it, seeing as Hollow had set up quite a bit of tech here. There's no way she could have done all this on her own, though. Bullet and Sora must've helped out.
Petiole's pipbuck tag was just ahead, to the left a bit.
With a small smile creeping up on my lips, I slipped all my inventory off my back and quietly walked in.
I was surprised to see him out of his armor as well, standing under a downpour of steaming water with his head hung down. His mouth hung open as he breathed softly, and his eyes stayed closed. The branch sticking out of his head looked bent out of shape from being trapped under that helmet for so long.
I carefully made my way forward, and I soon discovered small torrents of pink coming from his mouth, only to be washed down on the ground, turning the puddles into a lighter shade of the color.
He cracked open his eyes and turned to me as I approached, then gave me a hint of a smile before closing his eyes again and hanging his head back down.
I stopped at his side, took a deep breath, and closed my eyes.
My tongue slowly slid along the wrinkled, rotten hide of his neck, to which I heard him gasp.
The taste wasn't the best, but... it was definitely better than fungal tentacles. I could have gone for another lick.
In fact...
My tongue dragged along from the bottom of his cheek, to his temple, before he pulled away.
"Do you mind?" He rasped, pulling away.
I opened my eyes and smacked my lips, before smiling. "Mmm, ghoul. Not as bad as I thought."
He rolled his eyes and shook his head, before stepping closer again.
"Oh, you want more?" I grinned.
"No. I want the shower. Stop hogging all the water."
I pressed my flank against his as I let the water wash down both our coats. I started running a hoof through my mane and coat, rinsing myself.
"Do. You. Mind?" He reiterated, looking at me.
"What?" I said with a cheeky smile as my muzzle pressed to his. Thankfully, he wasn't releasing that pink smoke anymore... He seemed to have some control over it. Regardless, he pulled away a bit, frowning. I continued. "Back at the bunker, I'd shower with the rangers all the time. Mares and stallions." I moved in close and whispered in his ear. "It's natural. Just let it happen..."
Quite suddenly, he burst into a fit of coughing and shook his head. "You just have a way of ruining the little things I enjoy!" He blurted, before his coughing got worse, and puffs of pink cloud shot out of his mouth.
I backed up at a safer distance as he wheezed. He spat some blood on the floor and cried out as his eyes shut tight.
Okay... I was actually starting to feel bad, now...
My ears wilted as I watched him struggle just to get control of his throat. "H-hey... Are you okay...?"
"N-no!" He was starting to sound like a pony that had smoked 10 packs of cigarettes every day for the past year.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean for that to happen." I said in a tender voice.
He shook his head and glared at me for a moment, before closing his eyes and taking a slow, deep, raspy breath. He opened his eyes again and looked at me calmly. "It's fine... I'm actually kind of glad that you're here. I'll need your help with something once I'm done with the shower."
"Oh?" I raised a brow. "What's that?"


(((((((◉)))))))


"Ow, careful!" He hissed.
"Well, if you stopped moving around so much, this wouldn't be a problem." I said as I looked down at him. His muzzle was buried in the fur of my chest at this point. "Don't go spitting any pink crap at me. I may be suicidal, but I have preferences on how I go out, and that's not it."
"Ow! Charger!"
"Oh shush!" I said as I lightly bapped his head. "I didn't even do anything that time!"
"It's sensitive!"
"You're sensitive. Let me focus." I slowly brought the trimmers to the tip of the branch in his head. "Hold on..." In one quick motion, I snipped a small chunk off. He yelped, before coughing. Before he did, I made sure to turn his head away so that none of the pink would get on me.
I wasn't even really sure if I could die from the pink toxin, now. As far as I knew, it didn't have anything to do with a heat source. Every method that I knew could kill me had something to do with heat. Lasers, plasma, megaspell, fire... I imagined explosions would do the trick, too. But it got me wondering if I was okay to be exposed to the pink material that Petiole exhaled.
I wasn't gonna willingly find out, though. If I was wrong, I didn't wanna have to pay the consequences...
Once his coughing ceased, I brought his muzzle back to my chest.
"Why don't you just do this from behind?" He asked softly.
"I like to live on the edge." I replied with a gentle smile, carefully running my hoof along his head. "Besides, I get a better angle this way."
He nodded a bit, and I put the trimmer blades to the top of his branch. Before I could cut, he spoke softly.
"You smell nice, Charger..."
My smile widened to a cheeky grin as I felt a soft blush grow. I spent a moment basking in his words, before taking a deep breath. "Y'know... it'd be easier and faster if I just cut the whole thing off in one go. And you wouldn't have to go through so much pain."
"In many cases, I'd agree with you. But I don't want to pass out after this. I want to stay awake. I have things to do, and the more you cut off in one sitting, the more it hurts..."
"Fair enough..." I whispered, before cutting another section of branch off. He quickly spun his head around and cried out as he winced his eyes shut. More torrents of pink smoke spat out from his muzzle as blood oozed out of the stump from the branch.
I sat there quietly as he struggled with himself... I felt bad every time I cut a part of him off, but he wanted me to do this. He trusted me to do it for him...
"Are you okay...?" I asked in a near whisper as he started to calm down.
He looked at me and nodded faintly. "Y-yeah... It's just a pain in my ass, dealing with this branch..." He poked at the branch a bit, then winced. The blood stopped flowing from it, and he sighed, closing his eyes and pressing his muzzle to my chest again.
"We can stop if it's too much for you." I looked down at him, but he shook his head.
"I need this to go away. Please, Charger..."
I took a deep breath and looked back at the branch sticking out of his head. "Alright..." And with that, I snapped another section of branch off, only to hear him cry out again, before he turned his head and coughed violently from the strain of his vocals.
Guilt washed over me, every time.
Eventually, I had gotten down to the very base, but there was a bloody patch on his head now. He shuddered as he washed the blood off his wrinkly coat. The wound in his head, he slowly sealed up with a can of food I had once had on me from the apartment heist. His pipbuck clicked from the exposure, and when it was healed up, he stored it back in his saddle bags.
From there, he looked at me with a soft smile. "Thank you, Charger..."
I nodded for a second. "Next time... can I knock you out or something? I felt horrible doing that to you..."
He chuckled dryly. "We'll see..." With that, he started to walk down the cave, leaving all of his belongings behind. He stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Are you coming?"
"Where are we going?"
He simply smiled and nodded his head down the dark cave, before resuming his walk. I followed close behind, curious on what this was all about.
Upon reaching the forked path again, we took the tunnel on the right; or straight ahead, in our perception.
As we ventured in silence, I saw a light in the distance. Silhouettes of ponies moved along the left rock wall that the light shined on, making it known to me there must have been another opening on the right side.
Just as we were about to turn the corner, I heard Fluky talking to another filly.
Upon entering, I found my group, along with Bullet, Sora, and Rivet all around a table. There were boxes wrapped in colorful paper, and for some reason, somehow, balloons pushing against the ceiling. Where did they find balloons...?
In the center of the table was a cake made entirely out of a series of fancy buck cakes, all glued together with icing and filling. Para's candy canes were sticking up all around the cake's top, and in the center was a lit candle.
Bullet took off an apron stained in cake ingredients and sighed happily as she studied it, then looked at me. Her eyes lit up as she grinned.
"It's the birthday boy!"
At once, everyone looked at me and smiled.
"Happy birthday, Charger!" Midnight Skies said over what looked like a new radio, which Fluky held to her chest as she beamed at me.
Para lunged from his seat, spreading his arms wide as he shouted. "SURPRISE!"
Rivet frowned at him. "I thought we agreed it wasn't going to be a surprise birthday party."
"Actually..." I started, looking around. "I am surprised. I didn't really know it was my birthday."
Everyone looked at one another quietly, before Cobalt turned back to me, raising a brow. "Ya... didn't...?"
I shook my head. "Never really bothered celebrating it, no. Never really had a reason to."
"Well..." Her smile came back. "Now ya do. Yer surrounded by friends."
Bullet's horn lit up, and a white aura undid some rope on the ceiling, above the cake. It rolled out a long strip of fabric that read 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAR.'
Sora chuckled nervously. "Sorry we couldn't fit your name on it. I told Bullet there wasn't enough room, but she didn't want to shorten it down to 'B-day.'"
"How did any of you even know it was my birthday?" I asked, regarding the lot of them.
Para stuck a party horn in his mouth and blew into it.
Petiole nudged my shoulder, and I looked over to see he was smiling softly. He moved in a little closer and whispered. "I've been in your mind, Charger. I know you never celebrated your birthdays. You deserve at least one good day, before..." He paused and bit his lip nervously. "Enjoy the party."
Wait... he planned this...?
And he didn't want to pass out, all for this...?
Oh... Petiole...
My forehoof was lifted with another, and looking back at the others, I was greeted with Bullet smiling at me as she held my hoof in hers.
"I-" was all I could get out before she pulled me in the cave opening, spun around, and pointed at the radio.
"Hit it, Tuner! We're celebrating!"
At once, an upbeat song started to play. Bullet started bobbing her head to the music as she kept her eyes on mine, smiling happily. I wish I had her energy...
I looked back at Petiole to see he was still standing there, watching quietly, but with a soft smile on his lips as he regarded me.
Hollow stepped in with a few presents of her own, and behind her was Oku, Astral, and Onyx.
I kinda wished Thunderwing was here...
Destrier, Riot... Blaze... Tezu...
A snow white hoof reached around, pressed against my cheek, and had me look back at Bullet just as she started singing along with the song, dancing with the beat.

All year
All day
For a fact in my age
We can see it
Counting down on the days
Might be halfway
But I don't wanna wait

Sora sighed softly and rolled her eyes, shaking her head with a soft smile. "This song again... I hear this every year..."
Hollow stopped by my side, smiling softly as she nuzzled my cheek. Then, she started singing with the song as Bullet levitated the gifts off her back and set them beside the table. One of them was a large, wrapped box.
Bullet seemed to give her the next verse.

No more delay
Lay the party God slay
Later my b-day
And y'all are my slaves
My day, my way
Gotta do what I say

"That's not funny!" Oku barked.
Hollow shrugged and rolled her eyes, smiling.
"Come on, Charger!" Bullet shouted happily as she started moving much like Hollow did. "Dance with us!"
"I-I don't dance."
"Nope, you're dancing." Hollow stated as she got up on her hind legs and lifted me up on mine.
"Wha-hey!" I nearly fell at that moment, but Bullet seemed to do well with balancing on her rear legs as well, and had caught me before I collapsed. At once, they both started singing as they had me dance with them... if I could call my flails 'dancing.'

Time to get gnarlayyyy!
Happy Birthday Party, Partayyyy!
Come on, everybodayyyy!
Happy Happy Birthday Party, Partayyyy!

I waved my forehooves around frantically as I grit my teeth, trying my best not to fall. It soon became evident to me that I was sandwiched between Bullet and Hollow; the zebra in front of me, and the white coated unicorn being at my rear as the two of them had me dance with them.
Once I started to feel safer, I started moving with the beat a little, finding myself smile with sincerity. This actually wasn't that bad!
Still, I had no idea how they both managed to stand like that on their own.
Bullet took the next verse.

Get dumb
Have fun
Rip it up to the grave
Let's thrash, b-day bash
Everybody be gay
Don't wait
Too late
Ain't got no time to waste

I started moving more fluently with them as I started to laugh softly, and I soon found the rest of the group were kinda bobbing their heads to the beat. Even Petiole, kinda!
Hollow put the tip of her hoof under my chin and directed my sight back to her as her muzzle inched closer, and her eyes stayed glued to mine. She started singing the next part of the song.

Ain't none more fun
Than a birthday partayy
Forget the date
Birthday rage at my place
Replay
Holiday
Everyone celebrate

Hollow and Bullet quickly danced around my form simultaneously, ending with Bullet in front of me, and Hollow holding me from behind. Again, they shared the next line of the song, and I started to join them. Together, the three of us sang. I was still unsure of the lyrics, but I knew the majority of it.

Time to get gnarlayyyy!
Happy Birthday Party, Partayyyy!
Come on, everybodayyyy!
Happy Happy Birthday Party, Partayyyy!
Happy Happy Birthday Party, Partayyyy!
Happy Birthday Party, Partayyyy!
Happy Happy Birthday Party, Partayyyy!

My tongue slipped a few times, as I was unfamiliar with the song, but I quickly recovered.
My forehooves held on to Bullet's shoulders as we danced with the pleasant beat that seemed to lift my spirits right up. It went to show me that not everything was so horrible. There was still a life worth living.
I just needed to learn to appreciate the small things that came with it...
> Channel 002.3; The Demon's...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sometimes a lie is easier to take.


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I awoke with my back pressed up against a soft, cushiony surface. Something warm and gentle rested on my stomach, and I felt a warm breath brush against the fur on my chest.
I opened my eyes and looked down to see Fluky rising and falling on my form as I breathed. She was huddled up to me, snoring lightly with a soft smile on her lips.
"Please don't let this be a dream, again..." I whispered, smiling down at her as I carefully ran my hoof through her mane.
Goddesses, she was so adorable...
"I love you so much..." I whispered again, keeping my smile up as I admired her.
She murred softly as she buried her muzzle into my chest, keeping her eyes closed.
I sighed happily and looked around the cave, trying my best to not disturb her slumber.
No one else was around here. It was just me, her, and the presents that had been given to me.
A black, electric guitar sat in the corner closest to me. There was a crude, red A with a circle around it on the lower half of the instrument. That was given to me by Hollow.
Around it was a series of bottles of alcohol, a carton of cigarettes, and my old Stable 32 security barding, now fully restored to its former glory and then some, thanks to Petiole, Hollow, and Bullet. They had customized it so that while the yellow '32' remained on the left shoulder, the hammer and wrench that resembled my cutiemark was stitched into the right.
On top of that, my old power armor that I left in Saddle was brought back to me. Bullet and Sora had decided to make a recovery mission to retrieve it. I imagined they both had to down a lot of Rad-Away after that, but they both seemed fine. The armor itself had been put under a decontamination as well, considering it had been sitting in a nuclear blast zone for the better part of a month.
I wasn't expecting to see it again so soon. Or at all really, considering how long I had left to live.
No one knew how long I had left. Not me, not even Petiole.
That was a scary thought to have...
I could be gone tomorrow...
I... wanted to die. But I didn't want to leave my friends. I didn't want to leave without making sure Tezu and Blaze didn't die for nothing.
My friends showed me one of the best days I could only dream of. I got a taste of something really good, and I wanted so much more of it. I wanted every day for the rest of my days to be like my 26th birthday.
"Hey..." Tuner whispered from the radio right of me. I turned to it, raising a brow. "I added something to your pipbuck. Happy belated birthday, Charger."
Slowly, I brought the pipbuck to my face and looked at the screen as a series of files scrolled through. Lists of songs I had never heard of before, from bands I only imagined had no existence in this universe. There was lots of content there. Enough to keep me busy for a while.
"Thanks, Tuner." I said softly, looking back up at the ceiling.
For a while, I stared up at the rocks above me. The place was still and silent.
I didn't want to think about those deep, dangerous thoughts that lingered in my head. I didn't want to think about what was going to happen to me.
I couldn't get up and leave without disturbing Fluky, even if I wanted to. I didn't want to leave her alone. I greatly appreciated her company.
I gently wrapped my hooves around her and took a slow, deep breath, keeping my eyes on the ceiling.
"Tuner?" I spoke under my voice, doing my best to keep the silence.
"Yes, Charger?"
"Can you play something soft? Something from Octavia, preferably."
"Of course."
At once, a soft cello began to play over the radio. Tuner did well to keep it quiet, letting both Fluky and I relax to the soothing song that soared through the sound waves and reach our ears.
As the song continued, I closed my eyes. A soft smile curled on my lips, and before I knew it, I had dozed off in the realm of sleep.


(((((((◉)))))))


For a long while, I was in a dreamless slumber. No thoughts. No sound. No movement. No touch. Just a dark void, where nothing was wrong, and nothing was right. Nothing was everything, and everything was nothing.
It lasted for a good moment.
But that blissful ignorance was interrupted.
I found myself lying on my back, staring up at a blood red sky, with patches of black. Above me was the vortex, and with it, the screams of the damned rose as a choir to my ear drums.
Suffering. Crying. Screaming. Pleading for an end.
I blinked.
When my eyes opened again, a black, flower-like suction like the one that came out of my hoof screeched and latched onto my face, covering my muzzle.
I wanted to scream. But my voice was drowned out from the damned.
I wanted to run. But I found myself bound to the earth.
I wanted to fight. But I found I was too weak.
Something started sliding down my throat, venturing deep within me, reaching my stomach.
As it did, I felt myself start to fuse with the tendril that had latched onto me. Start to become one with it.
Start to get absorbed...
My face started to melt into it... My skull started to deform, and my eyes felt as if they were to burst from their sockets, only for my brain to squeeze out through the two holes. I felt something start to envelop my lower body, making its way up to my neck. Something cold. Not just in temperature, but in spirit as well.
Then, not even a second of a world of pain, I shot up screaming, squirming, and panting.
I looked around the room frantically to see all my friends were there, looking at me in worry. They seemed to have been discussing something, before I interrupted.
"You okay, Robutt...?" Fluky asked, stepping up to me and rubbing my back as I sat there. My hoof was flickering uncontrollably, so I let it hang off the bed of pillows.
Fluky must have woken up before I did. At least I didn't throw her off my body in a panic.
"Nightmares..." I muttered, looking at her. "I'll be okay..." I took a deep breath.
She looked at me in worry, but nodded in response. She sat on her haunches beside me and leaned her head against me.
I looked down at her in surprise, before a hint of a smile crept on my lips.
"I guess this is where Charger comes in." Hollow said, turning from the others to me. "Who do you want accompanying you?"
Everyone turned to me silently, awaiting my response.
"Accompanying me?" I raised a brow.
"To find Snow Star." Hollow continued. "Teams of three, remember? Who do you want in yours?"
No pressure, guys...
I looked at the lot of them for a moment, before shaking my head and hanging it down. "I'm gonna need time to think on that."
Seriously, I just had a nightmare... Did they expect me to be right in the head after what I just experienced?
Hollow nodded, before turning to the others again. "I contacted a little more help for us in this endeavor, so me, Charger, and those he chooses to accompany him will be meeting up with him not too far from Virtue." She turned to me once more. "I think you two will have quite a bit to talk about."
Um... Okay...?
She looked down for a moment, before continuing.
"There's another matter in need of discussion..."
"Judging by the way you said that, something tells me I'm not gonna enjoy this." I stated as I regarded her coolly.
She shook her head as she looked back at me. "Your name came up in the Enclave Battlenet. They know you're wanted by the Steel Rangers, but they don't know why. They just know you're important."
"Great..." I sighed. "So what now?"
"They're hunting you down, too. They want to capture you and sell you off to the Steel Rangers, in return for an agreement with your chapter."
"You mean a truce."
She nodded. "That's another word for it."
I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Lovely."
"On the bright side," Onyx started. "They don't actually know about your battery."
"If they did, I imagine this would be a completely different matter." Thorne filled in.
I had mercenaries on me. Steel Rangers, Fester's raiders, and now the Grand Pegasus Enclave? It made me wonder if there were others I didn't know about.
They certainly weren't making this easy for me.
"I'll be giving each group a transmitter." Hollow stated, looking over the lot of us. "We're to only use it if we find a lead to Snow Star, or Snow Star herself. Got it?"
Bullet nodded. "Affirmative."
"Alright. Everyone pack up any essentials. We're heading out within the next couple of hours."
The group disbanded from there. Most of them left back through the cave tunnels, while the rest remained in the opening that was used as a lounge.
Onyx set down a small wooden box from her back on one of the beds, before sitting down beside it. She eye'd me for a moment with a soft smile on her face, before nodding to the box.
I looked down at Fluky for a moment as I ran my hoof through her mane. She looked up at me with a soft smile, to which I found myself smiling back.
"Track Hollow down and see if she doesn't have any of those fierce fireworks for your launcher."
She lit up in an ecstatic grin, before standing up and rushing off towards the tunnel, where Hollow and many of the others walked off to.
I chuckled softly to myself as I stood up and made my way to Onyx, taking a seat beside her.
"Lookie what I found just lying around." She said as she removed the lid to the top of the small box.
Inside were three memory orbs, cushioned by hay. Two of them were white, but the one on the right was black...
"You wanna try them out?" She asked with a small smile on her features.
I looked down at the three for a moment, before looking back at my gear that was huddled up in a pile, next to all my other presents. I didn't have much to do in terms of prepping for travel. I wasn't bringing the guitar or anything like that with me. Just me, my armor, my rifle, saddle bags, and my CHAIR.
At least this way, it would be a good way to kill the time until we started moving.
I looked back at her for a brief second, before nodding to the black orb. "Yeah, let's do it."


(((((((◉)))))))


I found myself in the body of a pegasu- whoa, WHOA, WAIT! WHERE WERE MY BALLS!? I felt new muscles down there! So this was what it was like to have mare bits!?
She walked down a hallway with her wings pressed tight to her sides. I felt something wrapped around the pinions of her right wing as she made her way to a door at the end.
I heard vertibucks flying in the distance. Not one, but several. I heard a few raptors, as well.
She tapped her hoof on the door a few times, before a voice called out to her from the other side.
"In!"
She opened the door and stepped inside, standing straight the whole time. After closing it behind her, she saluted a dark orange stallion that looked to be in his late thirties, sitting behind a desk.
She put her hoof to her forehead in a salute.
"At ease."
At once, she relaxed, but I could feel her heart pounding in her chest, as if she were worried or scared.
She extended her right wing out to reveal it was holding onto a clipboard with some statistics on it. It was pulled away from my view before I could get any chance to read through it.
He took the clipboard and started skimming through it, occasionally flipping to another page with a wing, before scoffing and shaking his head. He set the clipboard back down.
"Okay." He said with a bitter tone.
"Permission to speak, sir." She said quickly, yet quietly.
"Granted."
She took a deep breath, locking her eyes on his. "This is anything but okay, sir. We lost one of our best pilots in a flight warm up to a heart attack. We lost several other trainees, half of a hangar, and several dozen aerial units and artillery. This is-"
"It's not confirmed that Ace had a heart attack." The stallion said abruptly, cutting her off.
The mare paused. "But... the vertibuck's systems were checked out just before he operated it. Everything was green lit. And he didn't have a history of epilepsy, to my knowledge. He was getting old. So I can't think of anything else that could have caused this."
The stallion sat up in his seat, leaning over his desk as he pointed a hoof at her, glaring. "You're not paid to think, missy. Your place isn't in detective work. It's out there, on the battlefield." He pointed at the window to his left for a moment, before folding it on his desk. "So stop wasting your time, and mine, trying to make some mystery piece, when there's nothing there. It was an accident, pure and simple. Something was wrong with the system that one of the mechanics didn't catch."
"Sir..." She paused as her mouth hung open. "I had a talk with the inspector, and he said-"
"The inspector is just trying to hide his guilt!" The stallion blurted as he tapped his forehoof on his desk repeatedly. "He failed to catch a mistake, and so Ace's death, as well as the death of many of our rookies, is on him! He can't hide from that!"
The mare stood there silently, looking down at her hooves for a moment.
There was a beep on the intercom on his desk, to which he took a deep breath and leaned back in his seat.
"You're dismissed. This is the last I want to hear of this. You want an adventure? Stick your nose back in your books, and shut up."
She nodded. "Yes... sir..." With that, she gave him one final salute, spun around, and walked out of the office, making sure to close the door behind her. As she proceeded back down the hall, another pegasus in Enclave armor walked towards the door she came from.
There was no acknowledgement from them to my host, but the mare I occupied stopped and stared at them as they tapped on the door with their hoof.
"Enter!" The stallion called out.
My host had taken notice of a stainless steel suitcase resting on their back, which looked locked tight with a variety of key slots all around the container. Many locks meant many secrets...
As the door opened, she quickly turned around and proceeded to walk away from the scene, as to not look curious.
When she heard the door close, she spun back to the office and quietly stepped back up to the door. She pressed her ear to it and listened closely.
"-worked." The Enclave soldier finished. "Or so we believe. There was an anomaly detected within the device mere seconds after the vertibuck crashed."
I heard a series of clicks, and there was a brief moment of silence to follow.
"Do you have the statistic reports of the anomaly?" The tempered stallion asked.
"Under the UPC, sir."
There was another pause, and I heard the faint rustling and turning of pages.
"Fascinating..." The desk pony said softly. "The results are exactly the same as the filly, and the DJ from Saddle..."
"He wants advice on how we should proceed with this." The Enclave pony stated.
Another brief pause, and then the stallion spoke up again. "I want to study this for a bit. If our theory is correct, then there is, in fact, a way we can use this in our favor for the war effort. And even a means of infinite energy. Has the durability been tested?"
"Yes, sir. Even without the reinforced plating, its integrity is highly advanced. It seems to have gotten stronger after this test. But our mutual friend strongly advises that we don't try to damage it, as this model seems to have built up a strong energy reading... More than we bargained."
"How strong?"
"There wasn't an exact number, sir..." The soldier spoke softer, as if the idea of this device scared him. "But it's enough to power an entire planet. He believes that if the core is damaged, the results would be... catastrophic."
"... A portable megaspell super reactor..." The desk pony muttered. "Impressive."
"You should have moved on with your day." A stallion said from behind.
Before she could turn around, something heavy struck the back of her head, and everything went black for a moment, before I was warped back into my own body, in the present.


(((((((◉)))))))


Upon being pulled back into the real world, I was first greeted with an argument between Oku and Para, but... they were both shouting at each other in the zebra tongue!
Para knew how to speak Zebrican!?
He didn't appear to be struggling with the words, either! He was speaking it fluently!
What... the... FUCK!?
HOW... WHAT... WHY... WHAT!?
Oku pointed a hoof at Fluky - who had the weird pistol Para had been carrying with him by her side - while glaring at the wingless pegasus, shouting in that mysterious language. Para shook his head as he bit his lip in frustration, then interrupted him, countering the zebra's argument.
What was happening...?
Onyx, Fluky, Cobalt, and I all stared at the two going at it, awe-struck with what we were witnessing.
Para reached into one of his many pockets, before flinging that same hoof out of it, towards Oku. Sand flew at the zebra, who quickly sheltered his eyes before it could strike.
The room fell in silence as the sand struck Oku. He slowly lowered his hoof after the assault, looking back at Para in disbelief.
"Sand...?" He asked in confusion.
"Not just any sand. Pocket sand." Para replied with a hint of a smile growing on his muzzle.
Oku stared for a moment, unaware of what to make of the situation he found himself in. He sat on his haunches and sighed. "I really am cursed..."
"What are you two arguing about?" I asked, sitting up from the bed that I had lied down on, before I slipped into the memory orb.
Everyone turned to me, realizing I was awake, judging by their reactions.
They all turned back to Oku and Para shortly after, to which the zebra responded.
"Because of that." He pointed a hoof down at the gun. I just then noticed her comic books were next to it, as well as a piece of paper that had been drawn on. I couldn't make it out from here, though. "That came from the stars, and he's been carrying it with him all this time, just to give it to a kid!" He snapped a look back at Para, who frowned back at him. "Where did you find it?"
"It was lying on the ground." Para replied. "I was trying to find the kid it belonged to and return it to them, but it's been years, so I decided to give it to Poopy here."
"Poopy...?" The filly asked, raising a brow as she looked up at him.
"It's Fluky, Para." I said softly.
"That's what I said. Floopy."
"F-Floopy...?" She looked from him to me in desperation.
"Fluky." I emphasized, keeping my eyes on him. "F-L-U-K-Y."
"Floofy."
"Is he serious right now...?" Cobalt muttered to herself.
I looked back at the filly to see her press her hoof into her mane a bit. "Ya know... close enough. My mane does have a bit of floof to it..."
"And it's very adorable." Onyx filled in with a gentle smile as she regarded the now blushing filly.
Cobalt nodded in agreement with a smile of her own.
"Very much so." I added.
Fluky blushed even more as she looked down, smiling; her smile curtained under her mane, as it often did.
Oku sighed and shook his head, muttering under his breath in his native tongue.
Para sat down next to Fluky and placed his stetson atop her head, smiling down at her. She looked up at him and smiled thoughtfully, adjusting the hat before returning to the piece of paper that rested on a series of her comic books. She put the gun that was given to her away.
"So?" Onyx asked, looking back at me. "What did you see?"
I turned to her for a moment, before focusing on the radio that held the battery.
"I... found something." I muttered. "Government secrets... They were messing with something..."
"Your battery?" She asked, raising a brow at me.
I nodded, to which she sighed and glanced at the radio.
"Gotta love the government secrets that helped destroy this world. Not surprised that it was some government secret. Colored ones tend to be the really deep stuff."
"How long was I out?"
"Twenty minutes, give or take. Some are still packing up what they can."
I nodded, before lying back down. "I want to see another."
"You sure...?" She looked down at me as she sat at my side.
With another nod, I confirmed my choice.
"Very well." She put the black memory orb away, before picking up the one in the middle. "Won't be but a moment."


(((((((◉)))))))


The world around me was black. I couldn't feel anything in whatever body I occupied. If I even was occupying anything, that was. I may as well have been trapped in a void here.
For a moment, there was nothing. No sound, no movement, no sight, no scent.
A lot like what I wished my sleep was like.
A dreamless slumber.
Then, quite suddenly, I heard the flick of a light switch, and the start of an electric hum. But still, there was only darkness.
Another moment later, I heard a door open on the far end of the room, though everything sounded muffled.
"And you're sure he can hear us?" A stallion asked.
"He's been responsive with us so far, so some part of him does, yes." A mare replied.
I heard the keys of a terminal start clicking, with momentary pauses here and there. The mare resumed. "Are you present with us?"
There was a brief moment of silence in the room, before I heard a small, high pitched beep.
"How is that possible...?" The stallion asked. "He's encased in ice. There shouldn't be anything functioning in there."
"You'll have to take that up with Floe Glaze." She paused for a moment, before taking a deep breath. "I'm going to be asking you some questions. If you cooperate with us, some very good things can come your way."
"As good as things can get in Hightower prison..." The stallion muttered.
There was another beep, and the room fell silent for a moment.
"What do you mean when you say 'your job isn't complete?'" The mare continued. "What is this job, specifically?"
Beep!
"... He's misinterpreting that entirely." The stallion said aloud.
She sighed, before taking a moment to herself. After a moment of silence, she resumed. "We're going to be recording a series of memories from your mind, before you get sent off to Hightower. We need to know everything you did. In order to do this, I'm going to need your full cooperation, and think of every victim you took.
Beep!
For the longest time, there was dead silence in the room again.
"Goddess damned psychopath..." The stallion said in a spiteful tone. "I wish I could watch him rot away in his cell..."
"Let's just get this over with and get out of here. Give me two M-Os. Omegas wants all conversations with Happy on record. No exceptions."


(((((((◉)))))))


I was pulled back into the real world, hearing Hollow's voice.
"Is everyone ready?"
"Uh, Charger is kinda out of it right now..." Onyx stated, to which I opened my eyes and sat up slowly.
"Nah, I'm here. Perfect timing." I pulled the head piece off and set it down next to my pegasus friend.
Onyx smiled softly at me, then turned back to Hollow. Bullet and Sora stood at either side of her. "Guess we're all ready, then."
She put the memory orb back in the box, closed it, and put her instrument that allowed me to go through them back in her saddle bags.
I rolled off the bed, trotted to my armor, and quickly started to get equipped.
"You waited last minute to do that?" Sora deadpanned.
"It doesn't take too long for me to get into this." I stated. "Besides... I have to plan out the three groups, remember?" I cracked a smile, to which Hollow nodded to me. Onyx trotted to her armor and slipped inside, after removing her cap and putting it away with the rest of her stuff.
"We're listening."
"There should be one flier for each group." I started as I fit my metal hoof through the custom sleeve of the barding. "To help scope out the vicinity of said group." I turned to Rivet and Onyx. "Rivet will travel with Bullet Storm, and Onyx is with me."
The two of them nodded silently.
"Understood." Rivet replied.
"Next up are the snipers."
"The pony we're meeting up with is already really good with sniping." Hollow said quickly.
Bullet levitated her rifle, and I watched as it transformed from a fully automatic weapon to a long ranged lead slinger.
What the fuck...? That was... Goddess damned alien technology!
"I'm pretty good with long ranged, too." She stated with a smug expression. "I mean... have you seen my ass tattoo?"
A pebble struck her in the back of the head, but she kept her smile up, all the same.
"Alright, then that leaves Sora's team." I fit my last leg into the appropriate sleeve and started to zip up, trying to ignore what I just saw. I was starting to get jealous...
"Petiole."
"Yes?" He asked; his LED still freaking out a little.
"You okay with traveling with Sora?"
"Of course."
I chuckled a little as a smile grew.
"What?" Petiole regarded me.
"You and Sora would make the perfect couple. You both hate being touched."
Bullet joined me in the small laugh, to which Petiole sighed. Sora deadpanned at me and her friend.
I finished zipping up to my neck and stretched my limbs out, one at a time, in order to get comfortable in the armor. I tested the arm that held the rifle to my shoulder and looked through the scope, aiming at a wall on the far side of the 'room.'
"Thorne?"
"Yes, Charger?"
I turned to her once I found my rifle had ease of access.
They were all fully dressed in their power armor, and their armor plating was repaired to full working order.
"Your team, excluding Onyx, is under your command. I'll let you decide who they go with."
She nodded once, then spoke up. "I'll go with you." She turned to her team shortly after. "Cobalt, you're with Bullet. Astral, you're with Sora. And both of you stop trying to get your fuck on."
A pebble smacked the back of her armored head, but she didn't seem to notice it. That, or she didn't care enough to acknowledge it.
"Hey, I'm a stallion. When a mare's in heat, I get excited." Astral blurted, glancing at Bullet Storm. "Cobalt's the one always trying to fuck somepony."
A pebble smacked his visor.
"Stop that..." He muttered.
"Well, can ya really blame me?" Cobalt said in a raised tone. "It's been an awful long time since I had a good dickin'!"
A third pebble flew across the room and struck her ear.
Para was glaring at her now.
"Both of you need to sort through your shi..." She froze as Para glared at her, gritting his teeth. In his hoof was another pebble, but a bit bigger than all the others. She turned back to her team. "Both of you need to sort through your stuff."
"Para will travel with Sora." I said, ready to get back on topic. I turned to the radio. "Remember what we talked about?"
"Of course." Happy said calmly.
"Don't mess around with any of them. I mean it."
Oku stepped into the cave opening and moved around the three team leaders, looking at me. "Where do you want me to go?" He asked softly.
I raised a brow to him. "You want to help?"
He nodded. "We're all looking for someone. I'd like to do something good again, rather than just survive."
"T-thanks... Oku..." I smiled softly at him. "You can go with Bullet."
He nodded to me, then waited at a wall next to the three.
"Fluky?" I looked down at her to see she had her new pistol in a holster, and her firework launcher on her back.
"Yeah?"
"Can you travel with Bullet?"
She froze as she stared up at me, looking as if she just got struck. Her ears folded back. "But... I want to be with you."
I smiled softly at her. "I know. But if Titan is gonna find me again, I don't want him using you against me. He will hurt you to get to me. I can't live with that..." I gently ran a hoof along her cheek as she looked down and closed her eyes.
"I feel safe with you..." She muttered, taking my hoof in hers.
"After everything I did, you shouldn't... You'll be in good company."
She paused for a moment, before looking back up at me. "No."
"No?"
"No! I'm staying with you!" She proceeded to quickly hug my hoof tight, as if I were about to fade away. "You don't get to disappear again! Not again!"
"Looks like you didn't have to travel very far to already have a daughter figure." Hollow said softly. I turned to her with a deadpan, but said nothing.
I turned to Bullet next and mouthed some words. She nodded to me with a blank expression, looking down at Fluky shortly after.
I sat on my haunches and lifted her up. Her arms wrapped around my shoulders, and she stayed glued to me.
"I love you, Flukes." I said, before kissing her on the cheek and smiling.
"Don't call me that..." She sniffled into the fur of my neck. "Promise me you won't disappear..."
I sighed softly and closed my eyes. "I... promise, Fluky... I'm not going to disappear..." I cracked open my eyes and looked back at Bullet, and she nodded once more.
Finally, Fluky let go of me and pulled away a bit. That's when I saw tears had welled up in her eyes.
"Hey..." I whispered, gently tapping the tip of my hoof to her muzzle. She scrunched her face up, and I chuckled. "Adorable, as always."
"Am not..." She muttered, shuffling her mane and sheltering her face with it.
I set her down carefully before me, and I noticed a piece of paper fall out from one of her saddle bags.
"What's this?" I asked, picking it up and flipping it over. It was a drawing, and even though it wasn't the best, I had a general idea of who was in this.
She peeked through her mane, before quickly fixing it up. "Oh... It's us." She pointed to a pony with a stetson and a jacket poorly drawn around his body, and a rabbit on his back. They were grinning. "That's Para." Next up was a robot looking pony. "That's Petiole." Then a filly, who was smiling. "That's me." And then a frowning pony that had a lot of red crayon scribbles around a rear hoof. "And that's you."
"Why am I frowning?" I asked with a raised brow.
"Cause you're always frowning."
"Not true." I smirked, nuzzling her ear. "I can smile."
"Barely." She added quietly, smiling at me as she pulled away.
"Sorry to interrupt father-daughter time," Tuner said abruptly. "But I believe I can be of some assistance."
I looked at the radio. "Go on?"
"The battery is conveniently big enough to fit in your power armor. Slide me in, and you'll have another body with you."
"Are you sure that's safe?" I asked warily. "Some of the others in there are a bit unstable..."
"Remember, Chargie. I have the most control than any others in here. Worst case scenario, I'll have somepony pull me out before anything bad happens."
"Well..." I stood up and picked the radio up off the ground. "The more, the merrier, I suppose." I pulled the battery out, gave Para the radio, and carefully slid the power source into the slot of the armor that I had started my journey with.
The head turned to me, and Tuner's voice spoke through the respirator.
"Oh, sweet Celestia's royal sack of nuts, it feels good to have a body again. I always wanted to be an empty husk!"
I folded the piece of paper and stuffed it in my saddle bags. "We ready to head out, then?"
Everyone nodded or verbally confirmed that they were.
"Shed out?" Para's eyes grew wide. "I don't wanna be bald!"
I sighed and rolled my eyes. "I'm just... gonna ignore that..."
"I won't be able to use my magic to teleport everyone." Hollow said. "Even if I could, I wouldn't. But Bullet can. She's more talented in that department, anyways."
Bullet blushed and looked away. "Hush..."
"I'll see you on the other side." I said as I regarded Bullet Storm. I looked at everyone else around and smiled softly. "Thank all of you for doing this with me. You have no obligation to, but you are anyways. That means a great deal to me."
"Glad to help." Cobalt said.
"Hell yeah." Petiole filled in. A pebble struck his armor, and he sighed as he hung his head down. "Para..."
Bullet Storm saluted to me, and as her horn lit up, I quickly turned to Fluky and placed a kiss atop her head. I wrapped a hoof around the back of her neck in a warm embrace.
"I'm sorry, Flukes... but this is for your own good..."
"For my own... wait, Robutt, NOOO-"


(((((((◉)))))))


I stood in an empty highway, holding the air where Fluky had been not even a second ago. I looked down at where she once was, but only saw black, cracked asphalt.
The sun was bright. Too bright...
I slipped my aviators on and looked around my surroundings.
There was a small town not far from where I stood, but all around me were empty fields of vegetation trying to reclaim the world after it was set on fire.
I sighed just before Hollow, Onyx, and Thorne teleported around me.
"She's gonna hate me..." I said quietly.
Hollow stepped up to my side and placed a hoof on my shoulder. Her armor was on again, so her identity was hidden. I suppose, considering her history with this place, that was for the best.
"You made the right choice." She said softly.
"She was putting up one hell of a fight before we were teleported away." Thorne stated. "Started throwing punches at Bullet and screaming at her."
I released another sigh and shook my head. "Let's just... go..."
Suddenly, before I could even get a step in, something small landed on my muzzle. I looked at it as it stayed on my nose, to find it was a moth, looking back at me. But... there was a black smoke emanating off it. It was hard to notice at first, but it was there...
I also noticed a set of tiny, black fangs.
"What the hell...?" I muttered under my breath.
My surrounding party turned to me, to which Thorne spoke up.
"It's a moth, Charger."
"I know what it is, but... it's infected."
"Infected?" She questioned.
"He's right." Hollow jumped in. "It's showing the same strains as Charger's shadow virus."
"Is it safe to be out here, in the open...?" Onyx looked around. "I feel like we're pushing our luck standing out here like this."
"Trust me. We're safe." Hollow replied simply. "Scope is good at keeping his campsites uninhabitable for others. And it's just ahead of us."
The moth crawled up to my shoulder and chose to reside there. It didn't seem like it wanted to hurt anyone, so I was just gonna leave it be.
Hollow started walking for the small, dead town ahead, and the rest of us followed silently.
Small, meaning there were only nine buildings around a smaller series of roads that branched off from the right side of the highway.
As we approached the first building, a blue E.F.S. blip appeared at the bottom of my sight, on the compass. It was stationary, but soon after, I caught a glint of light coming from a window on the top floor of the three story structure.
As we got to the entrance, Hollow opened what was now just a metal frame that once housed a pane of glass. One by one, we stepped inside, discovering that this used to be a clothing store. Judging by their location, I imagine they didn't get a whole lot of business. That was just poor planning.
Directly ahead, in the dark room, I could barely make out a stairwell that went up.
I took off my aviators and stuffed them back in my saddle bags. The only light that was coming in here was from the sun's rays that shined through the broken windows, and it wasn't enough to see everything around me, even with them off.
Hollow took the lead for the stairs, and the rest of us followed.
The silence among the group was a bit unsettling, to say the least. I felt like Onyx and Thorne had their guard up. Maybe they saw the glint of light through the window, too.
The thought of being in someone's sniper crosshairs made me a little nervous, too. So I couldn't blame them, really.
Who was this 'Scope?'
Hollow trotted up to the second floor, but the rest of us chose to walk.
The unicorn-zebra hybrid stopped at the top of the stairs as she looked to her right.
"Hello again." The voice of a stallion spoke, and the armor around her form started to fold in on itself; all the parts meeting at her chest, before going back into a small, metal cube. She smiled softly at whoever was around the corner, then looked down at the lot of us, before backing up.
A rather peculiar character stepped into view, regarding us coolly as a massive rifle levitated beside him in a dark blue aura of magic.
The barrel was fluted with an abnormally large muzzle break on the end. At the bottom end of the barrel was a bi-pod.
An equally large scope sat atop the frame of the gun.
The rest of the gun was pretty basic. Simple composite stock, grip, and frame.
I caught sight of a variety of scratches along the weapon, implying it went through more than enough fights.
It was grey in color, but I noticed a bit of worn silver here and there.
This didn't look like a gun a normal pony could carry without magic. And even then, the size alone must have been heavy, even for telekinesis.
As for the pony himself...
There was a story on him. A big one. His body bore the scars of a story.
"See what I mean?" Hollow asked as she focused on me for a moment, before glancing at the stallion's... 'horn.' "You two may have a lot to talk about."
The base of it was still there, but the rest seemed to have been made up of sapphires, and tied to what remained.
There was a scar above his left eye that moved off towards his temple, before coming to an end. There were three more scars along his cutiemark, which was hard to make out at first, but after a moment, I noticed it was identical to Bullet's. A sniper's crosshair.
His greenish blue eyes looked deep into my emeralds for a while, before studying the rest of my body.
His mane was a dark purple, but I caught two light blue stripes around the back of his head. His tail had the same colors, respectively, but the pattern was in strands.
His coat was grey, but his muzzle faded into black.
He kept his rifle pointed up diagonally at the ceiling.
"Um... hi." I waved a hoof at him, but that felt more awkward... "My name's..."
"Charger." He interrupted. "Hollow told me."
"Charger, Scope." Hollow started, pointing a hoof at us as she said our names. "Scope, Charger. Looks like you're gonna be the founders of the 'Where's My Horn' club."
Simultaneously, Scope and I turned to her in a deadpan.
"That's not funny." We both said in unison.
"Tension breaker. Had to be done." She shrugged and trotted further into the second floor, disappearing from my sight. "We should start moving out shortly. Make use of the daylight we have."
"Agreed." Scope and I again, both said in unison.
We turned to each other, to which I cracked a smile. "Jinx, you owe me a Sparkle Cola. I prefer Sparkle Cola, RAD. Like me."
"I owe you nothing." He replied, before turning around and heading off after Hollow. "We're leaving in five."
My smile suddenly turned into a frown, but only for a moment. I grinned as I shouted. "I could also take some Orange Crush!"
I bet Tuner was in hysterics right now.
"Orange Crush?" Thorne asked. "Never heard of that one."
... Right. Wouldn't make sense if they got the joke. I still didn't completely get the meaning behind it, but the song was good.
I turned to Thorne and Onyx with that same grin plastered on my features.
"Follow me, don't follow me! I've got my spine, I've got my orange crush!"
The two mares before me looked at each other for a second, before turning back to me. I resumed my way up the stairs.
"What?"
I spun around at the top step and pointed a hoof down at the two of them. "Collar me, don't collar me! I've got my sprite, I've got my orange crush!"
"Uh, Charger?" Onyx started. "You okay?"
I glanced to my left to see Scope and Hollow walking up the third floor.
Hold on... Tuner must have put the song somewhere in my pipbuck...
I sat on my haunches quietly and started searching through the portable computer on my forehoof.
"Ooooookay then." Thorne said softly as she and Onyx walked past me. I looked up from my pipbuck at the two of them as I stayed on my haunches. "Charger's lost it."
"No, no." I smiled. "I'm just starting to know things."


(((((((◉)))))))


For a long while, the trip east was made with the company of the inter-dimensional music Tuner had installed into my pipbuck. Most of it was a soft or alternative rock. Some songs I recognized from before. Like that Radio Nowhere song, for instance.
The music was quiet enough that it wasn't attracting too much attention, but every so often, a radhog or bloatsprite would rush out at us for the kill.
Didn't work out how they planned it.
Scope wore a cloak that seemed to ripple through colors much like Hollow's armor, every so often, and under it were two saddle bags.
He wore leather padding in a variety of places, but it wasn't a full suit, like mine. There were a lot of vulnerable gaps that bullets could get through.
But hey... he survived out here this long, right? Who was I to judge?
The moth that met me right after teleporting on the highway decided to stick with me and stay on my shoulder. I wasn't sure why it had an interest in me, but I didn't mind it. It was actually kinda cute!
The infected part, not so much. I had sympathy for it in that regard. But it seemed to trust me. Whether that was because we both shared the same virus, or if there was something else, was beyond me.
By the setting sun, we were left in the middle of nowhere, with our only landmark being a stretch of road. There were dry, dead fields all around us, and very little trees.
We had decided to set up a campfire in the field to our right, using whatever was at our disposal. Very few branches. Dead grass.
The fire probably wasn't gonna last too long, but we were gonna try and keep it burning for as long as possible.
The lot of us sat around the small fire, trying to stay warm.
Thorne had a hoof around Onyx, keeping her close while the pegasus snuggled up. They were both out of their armor.
I slipped out of mine, too. It felt nicer letting the cold breeze brush through my coat.
My new, apparent moth friend crawled up my neck and stayed behind my ear.
After one last song, I turned the music off and lied on my stomach, relatively close to the fire.
Hollow lied on her back, looking up at the stars with her rear hooves crossed. Her forehooves rested behind her head.
There were very little clouds on this night.
Scope sat across from me, on the other side of the flames, watching me silently.
Well... if that wasn't ominous, I didn't know what was.
"Can I... help you?" I asked, looking back at him. That caught Thorne and Onyx's attention, but Hollow stayed focused on her darkened sky.
"You don't have a horn." He stated. "I don't see even a hint that you're a unicorn. I see a weak earth pony."
I gave him a wan smile, before reaching for my armor and slipping a hoof into one of the saddle bags. I pulled it back out, and with it, the plastic jar that held the remains of one of my many birthrights came with it.
I set it down before me, resting a gentle hoof on it as I looked back at him. He stared at it for the longest time, before I responded. "Fuckers ground it down to the base. So what's your story?"
He scoffed, then looked over at Hollow for a moment. He stood up and stretched his limbs as he levitated his over sized rifle, slamming in a magazine. "I'll take first watch. Rest of you, sleep." His eyes settled on mine once again after looking over all the others. "You'll take second shift."
And with that, he stepped away from the fire and into the night.
"Who made him the leader?" Onyx asked softly as she regarded me, to which I replied.
"He did." I looked down at the jar of powdered unicorn horn. "Lately, I've come to understand other ponies the likes of him. I became him." I paused and looked up at the starry night. "Each of us in our own way was left broken. The wasteland crippled us, and that shaped who we became. How we act." I looked back down at the jar as I rolled it back and forth across the dirt, watching the powder continuously slide along the inside of the capsule. "How much trust we lose..."
"Someone once said that the best way to survive is on your own." Hollow stated, refusing to move.
"And do you believe them?" Thorne asked.
Hollow stayed silent for a short while, fixated on her stars.
Eventually, she took a deep breath, before speaking. "We have a long day ahead of us."


(((((((◉)))))))


I awoke in the middle of the night to the haunting choir of souls.
I shot up and reached for my rifle in a panic, only to discover it was missing. All my stuff was.
And so were my friends...
The land was different. Dead earth in every direction; the sky, black and red.
The ground rumbled softly as something hummed overhead. Something big...
I looked up to see the vortex was passing over me.
The taste I had experienced in 32 filled my mouth once again, as if I had just gotten re-infected by the same abomination.
I coughed and wheezed as I slouched over, hanging my head down. My throat began to burn, and I felt something writhe around inside me.
"F-fuck..." I gasped, closing my eyes as tears broke free.
Something large wiggled up my throat as I retched, trying to purge whatever toxic entity was inside me. My air flow was cut off, and the pain that came with my windpipe being stretched from the mass of the creature felt just like another bullet through my neck.
I felt the slimy, bumpy parasite writhe around as it slid down my tongue. I could feel its body stretch out and slink back in like a worm moving across ground. The taste of rot grew stronger as I felt it exploring my mouth further.
I spat it out, wheezing and coughing as I closed my eyes. The substance lingered in my mouth, and so I continued spitting what I could out, until I found myself gagging and dry heaving.
Opening my eyes, it was revealed to me what was inside my body. I expected shadows...
Instead, I was greeted with the maggot-looking parasite from Stable 32, writhing about in a puddle of the white liquid that came out of me.
With a yelp, I jumped away, but found that nothing was there to support me.
The world fell into darkness, and the sky shrank away from me as I plummeted into the void.
I expected to hear my screams, but they were drowned out from the damned souls. I could only feel my lips move, and my vocals burn as my heart pounded in fear.
"I'M MORE OF A VOYEUR." A deep, metallic voice spoke all around me as I felt something wet and tight wrap around my groinal region. Fire's taste invaded my tongue right there with the fungus, but I found I couldn't spit. Only swallow...
Something else started to slide in from behind.
My vocals were shut out completely. I couldn't even feel myself scream now...
Somewhere, in the choir of screams around me, as I fell, I heard Snow Star's pleas for Bristle to stop.
Tears fought their way through as an anger started to pool up from within. Red electrical currents wrapped around my form as I fell down this endless pit.
I felt the black tendrils inside me start to break out, and I felt them latch onto another, only to pull them in as they fought to get away.
A kid...
My body began to absorb them, and I felt them struggle against my undying flesh, until they couldn't anymore...
As time went on, the ripples of electricity grew thicker; stronger. More violent...
Until all I saw was a red that grew darker as each second passed.
I felt my body get enveloped in a material. Something heavy. Big.
When the red vanished, I was staring back up at the massive vortex in the darkened skies, and between me and it was a vertibuck. Firebright stared down at me from the side.
Finally, my back struck ground. Hot lead and lasers darted across a settlement that fed flames.
I rolled onto my steel-clad hooves - as I was back in my power armor - and looked around. Ponies ran, seeking shelter from the raid of the Steel Rangers.
A colt ran past me, bawling his eyes out, just before a laser struck the back of his head. His skull, and everything within, exploded right in front of me. Whatever was left of his brain was now open for the world to see.
Tuner flickered into existence on the other side of the corpse, smiling softly at me as his horn lit up. A holographic image appeared over the colt with flashing arrows all around him. Between me and Tuner was a message.
'Game over.
Continue?'
At the bottom was a countdown that started from 10.
Ten.
While I still heard the screaming and the gunfire, I suddenly found myself running through an office building, towards a broken window frame. The place shook violently, but before I could look behind, I stood before the corpse once again.
Nine.
Naked. Alone. Pressed up against a chain link fence as my scarred, blackened back was sprayed down with what I imagined was a fire hose, due to the level of pressure and agony I was experiencing.
The world around me was shifting to another place as each second passed, making it hard for me to keep up with everything I was seeing before me.
I was in a world of pain and confusion. My screams were still drowned out, but I could feel the tears.
For a brief moment, I appeared back in front of Tuner and the dead colt, only to see the number count down.
Eight.
Blindfolded. My mouth forced open by griffin claws. Three legs spread out and bound, while the fourth was missing. Everything hurt physically and emotionally as I was penetrated from both ends.
Seven.
Standing atop a moving train in broad daylight as two vertibucks hauled a metal container overhead. The massive dual-gatling atop one of the cars spun around to face the intruders. Just before the bottom of the container opened up...
Six.
Standing in a field, looking up at the moon. A symbol burned into the surface; red and glowing.
Five.
Canceled out screams as waves of pain rushed through my body. Hide melting into another. Absorbing...
Four.
Charging down a steel corridor with shadows in the corners of my vision. Green lighting following wherever I looked. My body hurt, but I accepted it.
My forehooves had claws made up of the black, smokey tendrils.
In front of me were several Steel Rangers, many of which tried to escape. Just before I was about to grab a hold of one from the back of the neck...
Three.
The ground shook violently as I ran through what used to be a street. The sky was low and made of metal, and several hundred, if not thousands of massive steel spikes continuously struck the ground and tore up the asphalt, trying to get me.
Ahead of me, I saw Hollow in the distance, running for me.
Two.
Gusts of wind rushed past me as I stood on a catwalk, high above the ground. Vertibucks and raptors flew around as cannons fired.
The sky was grey, and a heavy rain drenched my coat.
One.
I stood before an empty tube that was able to fit an average sized pony such as myself, inside some high tech lab.
I felt a presence at my side.
Turning, I found Petiole was there with me, in his armor. At that exact moment, the ground I stood on began to crumble like old concrete that had immediately lost its integrity, despite standing on a metal flooring. Before I could move, the floor collapsed, and with it, Petiole and I followed its descent.
It soon became evident that it wasn't just us. Titan was falling too, crushing floors of what appeared to be a tower.
The lot of us struck rebar, debris, and each other as we plummeted, but through all the disorientation, I was still able to make out a large hole next to us that looked down at the very bottom, which was engulfed in flame.
My body struck Titan's chest, and Petiole was soon to follow, before we resumed breaking through more floors with the giant.
I reached out for Petiole as he reached out for me, but just as our hooves touched, we were ripped away from each other in our fall.
The flames at the bottom started to grow taller, and just before they devoured me...
... I shot up, gasping for air as I spun around frantically.
Scope was sitting on the other end of the fire, looking at me with a raised brow.
"Just nightmares..." I muttered, trying to catch my breath as I took in my surroundings.
"Common." He replied simply.
What I experienced didn't feel just like any ordinary dream, though. There was something more to that one...
"Perfect timing, though." He continued. "It's almost time for your shift."
I turned my pipbuck screen on and looked at the time to find it was almost 4 in the morning.
I quickly looked back at him in wonder. "Why did you take the majority of the night? I expected us to even it out."
He cracked a wan smile, before looking off into the darkness. "I don't sleep much."
"Lucky you." I said with a deadpan.
Scope lied down with his rifle at his side, holding it almost as if it were a lover. "Keep watch."
"Yep..." I murmured in that same deadpan, looking into the flames.
Minutes passed as the only sound that accompanied me was the crackling and popping of a campfire.
The air was cool, which helped keep me awake and alert. It was really quiet out here, which helped keep my ears open for anything that would try and sneak in, if there was anything out there that saw the fire.
The moth that decided to stick with me was still nestled behind my ear. I wasn't gonna disturb him... or her. Couldn't really tell what it was.
But they were awful cute... even though they were infected.
After a while, I gently reached into my saddle bags and slipped out the piece of paper I had pocketed back in the cave. I carefully unfolded it and stared at the picture of some of my friends. Petiole, Para, Fluky. Myself.
Something told me she'd have a lot to say to me next time we saw each other.
That wasn't an 'if.' That was a 'when.' I was going to see her again. I wasn't abandoning her...
I didn't realize she cared about me that much to throw a fit... And to think there was a time when she wanted nothing more than to see me dead.


(((((((◉)))))))


The following morning, after a breakfast that consisted of canned beans that Scope offered, we hit the road. It wasn't the most ideal, but it was that, or wait until something better was offered. And I didn't want to wait. I was starving.
From all that packing, one would think they packed food. An apple or something... Seriously...
The road was as barren as the fields to our left and right, which was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing, because we didn't have to fight anything. A curse, because the sun was out, and it was only getting hotter as the day went on. To top that off, there was no source of shade.
Thorne chuckled softly as she nudged Onyx's shoulder.
The pegasus looked over at her leader, to which the earth pony started.
"Almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter..."
The two of them starting laughing, but no one else shared the sentiment. Guess it was an inside joke.
We had left at the crack of dawn. I was still very tired through my night watch, but I had helped keep myself awake by walking around the perimeter every so often.
Sleep probably wouldn't have helped me anyways. Nightmares awaited. Nightmares always waited.
I hated my mind...
Around 11, our first sight of shelter was a barn off in the distance, to our right. We had been going down the same length of road ever since, but there was nothing else really out here with the exception of dead vegetation.
Next to the barn was a two story house that had the side facing us blown out by what looked to be an explosion from long ago.
Just as we started to lay our eyes on it, gunfire started from that direction, causing us all to stop. Scope and I hit the ground, but the more armored ones stayed standing upright, getting their weapons ready.
I didn't hear any bullets whizzing past after a moment, so I slowly began to get back up.
Scope stayed on the ground as he levitated his rifle to his eye, looking through the scope.
"Raiders..." He said softly. "The decor says it all..."
Hollow pulled out the small metal box that I had seen back in the cave, and as she held onto it, the instrument unfolded before us, forming a rifle a bit bigger than Scope's. She held it in her hooves and pointed up at the sky in a diagonal position, towards the barn, looking through her scope.
Wait... guns didn't work like that...
She paused, before turning to Scope. "You may want to take a look at this." She said calmly.
Scope enveloped her rifle in the aura of his magic and stood up as he looked through the scope, pointing up at the sky.
What the hell were they looking at exactly? Cloud shapes? SCOPES DIDN'T WORK LIKE THAT!
After aiming the rifle around in that direction a bit, he froze for a brief moment, slowly lowered the rifle, then turned to me with a raised brow. "Well..." He started, studying my body. "That's problematic."
"What? What is it?" Thorne asked, looking up at the sky. "Enclave? Rangers?"
"Nope..." He levitated the rifle over to her, and she took it and aimed in the same direction, before backing her head away from it and shaking it. "Whoa, wait... that's disorientating... How the fuck...?"
"Just look." Hollow said as she regarded me.
She looked through the scope again.
"On the other side of the barn." Scope stated.
Wait... the other side of the barn...? Why were they pointing up at the sky then!?
For a moment, as she positioned the rifle, there was silence among our group. I stood there, listening to the firefight from the barn. Then she gave Onyx the weapon to look at whatever it was they were focused on, then turned to me.
"Charger... What do you know about yourself?"
"What do you mean?" I raised a brow. "I'm a former Steel Ranger, had a horn, now I don't. Had a virginity too. Took that from me as well. Have an unsolved mystery about my parents. That's about it. What else is there to know?"
Scope turned to Hollow. "Is he...?
Hollow shook her head. "No. I would have known by now."
Onyx gave the rifle back to Hollow, shuddering to herself. "It's bad enough that the wasteland is terrifying, cold, and deadly, but now you gotta show me that?" She turned to Thorne. "That's not okay! I've heard horror stories of this type of situation, and I don't want any part of it!"
"Charger isn't one of them." Hollow said quickly. "But it's highly irregular that he's still here with us, while that is out there." She pointed at the barn. "That's a problem. And if it knows he's still alive, then it's gonna get even worse."
"What is out there?" I asked impatiently. "I'm tired of the secrets. What's going on?"
Hollow shook her head. "No. I think it's best if we leave. You wanna find Snow Star? Let's stay on task."
"You can't do that!" I shouted as my hoof burst to life with electricity. "What is on the other side of that barn!?"
"Charger..." Thorne stepped closer to me and put a steel hoof to my shoulder. I looked up at her as she regarded me behind that visor. "Believe me when I say some things are best left alone. This is for your own good."
"I..." I paused and looked down. The temper in me was starting to die, and the electricity was going with it. Maybe she was right. I really wanted to know what they saw, but if they all thought it was best I didn't know... maybe I needed to listen.
I looked back up at her and nodded. "Alright."
"Alright?"
"Alright." I sighed. "I don't like not knowing. But if you think that it's for the best, then I'm taking the advice." I turned to Hollow and Scope. "Shall we?"
Hollow's rifle folded back up in the box as she nodded. She slid the device in a slot that opened up in her armor. "Let's."


(((((((◉)))))))


As time went on, I found myself wondering more and more, just what it was my group saw. It was obviously something about me. But I already told them about White Noise... so what had them so spooked?
No... this was something else. And it was eating away at me that it was being kept from me.
But... I needed to accept that and keep looking ahead. I had a goal, and I needed to stay focused on it...
It was getting harder, though...
Scope stayed far ahead of us, keeping the road clear and directing us toward safer routes, if something was too iffy.
Along the way, I spotted a few more barns that stayed standing, even after two generations. But I had also seen more rubble than shelter, during our trek.
Far off in the distance, as the lot of us walked, I noticed a smoke stack. My rifle scope wasn't the best for long range, but it gave me a better sight of a metal fenced in area. Scope was crouched behind a tilted over wagon, peeking around the corner with his eye pressed against the optics of his gun.
I saw two ponies hanging at the entrance by their hooves; their limbs stretched out, forming an X. I didn't see any movement from either of them.
"Fucking raiders..." I muttered under my breath.
"We should circle around and keep going." Hollow advised as she turned to me. "Make use of whatever daylight we have left."
"Fuck that." I said softly as my hoof started to crackle. I turned to her, glaring. Not at her, specifically. Just the situation. "I used to hurt ponies. I have a lot of making up to do. If I have a say in an innocent ponies' fate, I'm going to do what I can to keep them alive. We're taking the camp out."
"Are you sure that's wise?"
"Yes." I replied, nearly cutting her off. I started to trot for the wagon that Scope took shelter behind. I took my aviators off and pocketed them.
"Gotta admit..." Thorne started to say. "You gotta admire him. Let's kill us some raiders." I heard her trot behind me. "Might have some good loot for the taking, while we're at it."
As I got to the wagon, I peeked around the other side and looked through my scope again. I got a better sight of the two ponies that were left hanging up at the metal shanty fence...
One was an earth pony mare... Blood had been dripping between her legs...
The other, a stallion pegasus... His crotch was nothing more than a bloody patch.
Both corpses had meat hooks through their limbs that kept them up. Attached to the tools that held them were chains that had been tied up to the top of the fence.
My hoof started to grow more wild the longer I stared. The hate in my heart took me over. I wanted to charge in there and slaughter them all... I wanted to make it slow...
"Charger?"
I blinked for a moment and turned around to see Scope looking at me in what almost felt like concern.
"You okay?" He glanced down at my hoof, and I joined him quickly to see it was starting to get too big.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "We're taking the camp out. I won't let anymore ponies suffer like that, if I have anything to say about it."
And then, to my surprise...
... Scope smiled.
It wasn't anything big. It lasted for only a small moment, and it was hidden. But it was there.
He nodded to me. "I'm right there with you." He turned back to the camp. "We just need to find out how to get in there."
"Easy." I said with a smug look as I started to undo my armor.
He turned back to me and raised a brow. "What are you doing?"
"Improvising." I winked as I slid my hooves out from the sleeves, one by one.
He deadpanned suddenly, before speaking. "Thunderwing told me you were horny. She never said anything about you trying to seduce your enemies."
I paused for a moment, processing what it was he just said. "What... no. Wait, you know Thunderwing...?"
He nodded.
I resumed slipping out of the barding and reaching into my saddle bags on the fabric. "Well, you'll have to tell me that story sometime..." I pulled out the metal box and watched as it unfolded into my... GODDESS DAMNED CHAIR!
Why couldn't I have a fucking spider bot!? Or a badass rifle like Scope's, or Hollow's!? No, not me! I HAD TO HAVE A FUCKING. CHAIR!
I sighed as I looked down at the weaponized furniture; wrapping my hoof around the back of it.
Scope stared at it for a while...
Go on... just fucking say it... Get it over with...
"That's a chai-"
"Yes, I know it's a chair!" I hissed as I grit my teeth. I reached into the saddle bags once again, until I fished out the MCF cells that Thunderwing had spared me. I jammed one into the side of the... CHAIR... then looked back at Scope. "Wait here. I'll get that gate open."
"How?"
A hint of a smile came back to my lips as I backed away from the wagon. "Improvise."
"Oh boy..." Thorne said as she stopped in my initial spot. Onyx stayed at her side. "This is gonna be good."
I trotted to the front gate and stopped before it, looking up at the top. "Hey! Shitheads! Let me in!"
A head popped up over the fence, looking down at me. A mare with a spiked metal helmet. Her eyes spelled out how high she was off chems at the moment.
"Who tha fuck're you?"
"Ghost of Hearthswarming Present or some shit! I come bearing the gift of death! Let me in!"
"Nah! Piss off, mate!"
I pointed the chair up at her as my hoof began to flare up excessively again. "I said let me in! Or I'll force my way in!"
She regarded me for a moment in silence, before bursting into laughter. She turned around, and I heard shouting.
"Hey man, c'mere and check this dumbass out! He must be more high than me!"
There was a moment of just her laughing, before both her and another mare poked their heads up over the gate, looking down at me. Then they were both laughing.
The new one disappeared for a moment, before coming back with a wooden chair, waving it around. "Ooooo! Lookie me! I got gun! Is not chair! Me am smart, you dum dum!" She proceeded to toss the chair down at me, glaring. I jumped back before it could strike me in the head. "Get lost, kid! Or we'll do to you what we did to him." She pointed a hoof at the castrated stallion that they hung up for decoration.
"One. Last. Chance." I said aloud. "Open up. Or I'm coming in, and it won't be pretty."
"Pfft." The new mare rolled her eyes. "Alright, I think it's about time we got new meat anyways." Just as she started to levitate a rifle up from behind the gate, I aimed the chair at her and pulled my mental trigger as the legs stayed locked on her form.
Four red beams launched out, striking her directly in the chest. The magic around her weapon instantly faded and dropped it. Second by second, she faded into flakes of red ash, only to be blown away by the wind. She was dead the moment she was hit.
The other raider jumped back, all wide-eye'd as she screamed from the surprise.
Holy shit... This thing was badass! Fuck it, I GOT A CHAIR, AND I LOVED IT!
Just as the beams vanished, the side opened up, and the spent MCF cell popped out in a 'ping' that was more than satisfying to the ears.
Hot air rushed out from the weapon for a moment, before the vents closed up again.
I slammed another one home and aimed it at the gate. "I warned you!"
With another pull of the trigger in my mind, the lasers launched out, and the gate began to melt away where the beams struck.
I saw my moth friend take to the skies as I tore a hole through their defenses, and it soon disappeared on the other side.
I heard several other ponies shouting in a panic as more and more red blips appeared around my E.F.S., running around like ants.
When the cells became depleted and popped out in that orgasmic ping, I slapped another one in and charged for the large, gaping hole in their gate.
"HEEEEEEEEERE'S CHARGIE!" I shouted as my hoof burst. Not just with anger, or a revenge kick. But with excitement! Adrenaline rushed through me, and I was loving it!
I jumped through the hole I had made, still wielding my chair. In an instant, my body was pumped full of lead and buckshot. Agony filled me from head to hoof, and the virus inside me awoke.
Tentacles whipped out from each individual wound, lashing out at one of the raiders that had the misfortune to be too close. It quickly dragged them in by a forehoof as I sustained more injuries from the others.
With each wound that was inflicted on me however, gave me a new appendage to work with.
GODDESSES, I WAS STARVING!
My right eye burst from the shot of a rifle as the raider I dragged in fought with the tendrils that latched onto them.
My left eye was taken out shortly after, so my sense of sight was gone.
I felt three tendrils shoot out from where my eyes had once been and quickly wrap around what felt like the head of another pony. I felt their vocals work as they attempted to scream, once I felt my tendrils grow tighter around the neck, choking them out. I felt their struggle as I forcefully pulled them in.
There was no escaping me.
The first one I had grabbed a hold of started to absorb into my side as I stood there, taking the neverending storm of hot lead.
I felt bullets repeatedly drill into my head from left to right, but I wasn't blacking out. The pain made me stagger a lot, for sure. But I was still alive and coherent.
The raider ahead of me was hastily pulled forth by the neck, and as their struggles gradually lightened, I felt their mass melt into me as they were pushed against me.
I was feeling stronger again. Less hungry. I was powerful.
The tendrils in my eye sockets started to recede back into my skull, and my eyes began to grow back. I was starting to see again.
None of my foes seemed to care too much about what they just saw. Many of them just took cover, while firing at me.
I aimed my chair to the left, pulled the trigger, and swung it to the right as that beautiful, dangerous red glow shot out from the legs of the furniture.
In one fell swoop, ponies were cut in half along the middle. Their leather armor was no match for this.
The metal armor, however, was a little different. Some of them cried out and fell back behind cover. They were severely hurt, but they weren't dead.
Not yet.
Unfortunately, that was the last of my MCF cells.
As they popped out in a ping, and the chair vented hot smoke with a loud hiss, I limped forward. Some of my tendrils still remained outside of me, as I was still shot up. It hurt to move, but I knew now that I could take it.
I saw the moth that accompanied me dart down from the sky, behind one of the buildings, where a red blip resided on my E.F.S. I wouldn't have noticed it, if it weren't for the blue marker that danced around said E.F.S.
Suddenly, a raider ran out, dropping his weapon and rolling around. His body began to swell as his veins started to show through his hide, wherever it was visible behind that metal armor of his.
Black, bulging lines grew underneath his skin as he cried out, trying to rip his armor off his body. His face grew red as he started gagging.
He was a raider. I wasn't going to help him. He deserved to die...
So I stood there at a distance and watched as he struggled to breathe.
He looked up at me as his eyes turned red. He reached a hoof out for me, as if he expected me to show mercy.
I simply tilted my head and smiled down at him.
"This is the life you chose to live." I said in a near whisper. "These consequences are long overdue."
His hoof dropped as his body went limp, and the light in his eyes died. Grew distant as they looked on at the space between molecules.
"Die now, motherfu-" A raider began to shout as they charged at me with a bladed tire iron.
Before they could finish their supposed 'intimidating' sentence, one of my tendrils launched out as it opened up like a flower, bit into his chest through his leather barding, and pinned him against one of the shanty houses. He cried out as he hung there, looking down at me. In doing so, he lost the grip of his weapon, and it fell to the concrete with a metal thud.
With that same smile, I walked up to him, now realizing my limbs were already starting to feel better again. Just a little bit, anyways. I was still hurting. Just less!
As he screamed in pain, I felt something sliding down from inside the tendril that bit into him, the way food would travel down a throat. Bulges formed in the tentacle, and made their way to my body. Second after second, I felt better.
I looked up at him as he winced his eyes shut, and with a small whisper, I responded with a little remark.
"You first..."
I watched as his body began to shrink in from where the tendril held him. I listened as his bones cracked, and his hide ripped.
It didn't last long until his pain was cut short, and he succumbed.
Second after second, his body was pulled in through the mouth of the black, shadow, flower-like tentacle; contorting to shapes no body was ever meant to take.
And then he was gone...
Just like that.
After the consumption, my wounds started to close up, and the tendrils slid back into my body for refuge, until they were woken up again.
I didn't see anymore reds as I looked around. Nope.
Just a patch of blue as my friends walked in through the giant hole I left in the gate. Scope looked horrified from what he just saw. I couldn't tell what everyone else's expression was, as they were all wearing armor that protected their face, but Hollow didn't seem all that interested in what I had done.
She stopped at my side and looked around. "I suppose this'll be a good place to rest for the night." She turned to me and nodded. "Good work, Charger."
I nodded back with a smile.
"What in the fuck did I just witness?" Scope asked aloud, keeping close to the exit of the camp. "How are all of you okay with this? What the fuck was that? What are you?"
"It's all relative." I replied. "So far, you're okay though."
Still, he kept his distance.
"Well... I suppose we should see what we can salvage here." Thorne said quietly as she walked to a shanty house at the end of the camp.
"U-um... Yeah, I think I'll come with you..." Onyx said as she flapped her wings and took the air, circling around me, before following the earth pony.
My moth friend landed back on my nose, and only then, did I notice there was a stinger attached to the end of its abdomen.
Hollow started searching through the bodies that remained, and I was left to my thoughts.
I was starting to feel alone...


(((((((◉)))))))


That following night, I lied on my back, using my gear as a pillow for my head as I looked up at the stars. The buildings smelled awful, and it was too humid in there. Granted, it smelled like shit out here, too. But at least I could breathe.
Scope was at the top of the gate, keeping watch while the rest of the group slept around a fire.
I couldn't sleep, though. Even if I could, I didn't want to. I had nightmares waiting for me.
But I also knew that I needed sleep... I was starting to feel it take its toll on me...
Eventually, I pulled up the music on my pipbuck and selected a random song, before lowering my hoof again and staring up at the night sky.
I couldn't find solace in my mind. There were too many demons, making me replay what I had done to the raiders over and over again. And at the time, I had enjoyed it. I accepted it. I didn't think about it...
But now I was thinking about it, and I wasn't accepting it. I was a monster. The raiders were monsters too. There was no doubt there. But taking joy in what I did...?
Was that wrong...?
Was I wrong?
The way I killed them... I didn't blink at the actions. Not once...
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as the music washed over me. It was soft. Classical. There was peace in it... somewhere. I just had to close my mind and find it.
Just for a little while... please...
But no... thoughts began to fill my head. Intrusive thoughts...
'You're going back to your old self. Your real self. But what are you afraid of?' My own mental voice told me. 'You're a natural when it comes to senseless murder.'
'Why should any other pony start a family, if yours was taken away? If you can't have one, no one else should either!'
Shut up, get out of my head...
My hoof began to crackle softly.
'Unicorns don't deserve families, remember? They're inferior. Earth ponies are the master race.'
Goddess damn you... go away...
'Do what you do best... Kill. Take what's yours. No one can stop you.'
I opened my eyes as I slammed my hoof on the pavement. Unfortunately, the ground rumbled softly as thunder rolled across the sky. Electricity danced over my body, but I felt nothing from it.
"Fuck, get up!" Thorne shouted in the distance. "We're under attack!"
"False alarm!" I called out. "Just me. Go back to sleep..."
Oops...
I sat up, and as I turned off the music on my pipbuck, I noticed that four hours had gone past. It didn't feel like it!
I must have dozed off...
As I sighed, I stood up and stretched, before reaching into my saddle bags and pulling out my cigar case and zippo.
Scope was still at the gate, but now he was looking at me.
I calmly walked up the stairs to his level, to which he turned his back to me and looked out at the black emptiness.
"You talk in your sleep." Scope said quietly. "I could hear you from here."
I stopped at his side and looked out at the nothing. "Wasn't aware I was even sleeping until a moment ago. I wasn't trying to."
He nodded slowly, keeping his eyes on the darkness, as if he expected something to jump out from it. "I don't like sleeping either."
"Nightmares?" I looked over at him, raising a brow, to which he nodded and looked back. "Yep. Same. A wise mare once said, 'that's life. And life is a sadistic. Fickle. Bitch.'"
He chuckled softly and looked back out at the black. "Ain't that the truth..."
"You smoke?"
He shook his head. "I'd prefer to not run out of breath so easily when or if I have to run from a fight."
"Smart." I opened the cigar case I carried with me to reveal the fat treats within. "It'd be smart for me to do the same, but cancer won't be what kills me. Mind if I smoke?"
"Go ahead."
I pulled one of the cigars out, stuck it between my lips, and lit the end, before closing my eyes and taking a deep pull. I closed the case shortly after.
"Earlier you mentioned Thunderwing." I stated, glancing at him. "What all did she say about me, exactly?"
He gave me a wan smile. "Said to be careful around you. I get what she was saying now, after I saw what you did to those raiders..." He paused for a moment, and I took another pull off my cig, before exhaling a torrent of smoke. "She also said that you had a lot of room to grow, but that you were becoming a good leader, and a good pony."
A gentle smile crept up on my lips as I looked back at him. "So you saw her recently, then?"
He nodded. "Her, Destrier, and Riot. They made a pit stop to Virtue, before heading for the Dragon Lands."
I hung my head down and took another pull. "Right..."
"I'm sorry for what happened to Blaze and Tezu. They were good people..."
"Yeah... I'm sorry, too..." I lifted my head back up, staring at more nothing. "The best I can do at this point on is to make sure their death wasn't in vain."
Again, he nodded in silence.
"Hey..." I turned to him once more after exhaling smoke. "If you know Thunderwing and Hollow, does that mean they know each other too?"
"If they do, I don't know about it." Scope stated. He stood up and levitated his rifle close to his side, keeping the barrel pointed up at the sky. "I'm gonna try and rest. Hold the fort."
I nodded to him faintly, before turning back to the empty dark. "Take it easy, Scope."
He trotted down the stairs to the camp below, leaving me to my deep, dark thoughts. To my memories.
After a while, I brought my gear up there with me.
I sat in my chair, facing the darkened stretch of road we had come from. There wasn't really anything out there to hear or see, and the E.F.S. came up blank.
All that accompanied me was the gentle whistle of the wind that brushed past.
I really enjoyed the quiet, though. It was relaxing, for a change. The party that was thrown for me recently was great, but parties weren't meant to be relaxing.
Sometimes, I just needed some silence.
I reached into my saddle bags and pulled out the compass Happy had given me. Upon flicking the lid open, I saw the needle was pointing...
Wait...
That couldn't be right...
I spun around toward the east, positioning my ears around, in case there was even a hint of a noise. The needle was moving gradually from the east to the south.
This compass was pointing to what I sought...
And that meant what I sought was close...
Really close...
Snow Star...?
I looked back down at the compass, but the needle stopped about three quarters to hitting south directly.
I quickly spun back to my gear and started packing up, but as I did, I caught a brief flash of light in my peripherals, towards the west.
I froze as I stared ahead, and I felt my heart start to beat in my chest rapidly. Something told me to run...
Keeping my eyes on the road to the west, where the light had been, I hastily got into my barding and carefully zipped up.  Just as I was about to reach my neck, a blue blip appeared in my E.F.S., in the same direction I was looking. I couldn't see anything out there, but I felt exposed. Something was out there, watching me.
Whatever it was, my compass wasn't pointing to it.
The marker stopped moving about a second after it showed up in my E.F.S., and in the distance, I saw a horn light up in a light tan aura. That same light wrapped around something on the pony that was out there, before pulling the object up to its side.
Only then, did the blip flash red, before the figure started walking forward again.
I quickly grabbed my chair, pocketed my equipment, and charged down the stairs. Along the way, I checked the magazine in my rifle to find it was fully loaded with normal rounds. Better safe than sorry.
I ran to the building where my company resided and darted around the corner to the side.
"We got company." I said aloud, to which Hollow quickly sat up and looked around.
"Where?"
"Coming at the gate. Not friendly."
"Go." She nodded. "I'll be right behind you."
Scope got up shortly after. Thorne and Onyx were in the process of waking up, before I darted back for the gate.
I ran back up the stairs and looked back out at the road, only to find it was empty once again. Void of any life or movement. Nothing but a gentle, cold wind out there...
The E.F.S. was gone, and the aura was, too...
But... I could have sworn...
Hollow ran up, fully dressed in her armor. Onyx landed beside me, and Scope and Thorne trotted up to us.
"Charger, there's nothing out here..." Thorne said softly.
"No, no, I saw somepony!" I pointed off in the direction I last saw them. "Right over there. They were walking up to the gate, and they had a red E.F.S. marker. They were holding something through magic. A rifle of some kind."
The group looked at one another in silence for a moment.
"I know what I saw." I stated as I looked at the lot of them.
Hollow nodded. "Alright... We should all do a perimeter sweep. If any of us see anything, don't provoke them. Find a way to regroup, and we'll plan from there. We don't know what's out there."
"Sounds like a plan." Onyx said as she spread her wings. "I'll circle the camp and work my way out." With that, she took to the skies.
"We shouldn't be alone." I said, looking at the remaining group. "Four ponies left. We can make teams of two."
"Sounds good." Thorne nodded.
"I'll go with Scope." Hollow stated.
"Guess that means you're with me." I looked at Thorne. "We'll take the south and west." I turned to Hollow and Scope. "I suggest you two take north and east."


(((((((◉)))))))


Thorne and I walked blindly through the darkness of night without any lights to accompany us. If there was still someone out here, any sources of light would have just given away our location immediately. We kept our voices low, and our ears open.
Our E.F.S. was our primary focus out here.
I checked my surroundings frequently.
"Wish I could see anything..." Thorne whispered. "It's too Goddess damned dark out here..."
"Just be careful..." I whispered back. "Snow Star is around here somewhere, too..."
"Wait... How do you know?"
"I have a compass that's pointing to what I want. And just before I saw that figure making their way to the gate, I saw the needle moving this way. It wasn't pointing at them, though." I paused for a moment, gritting my teeth a little. "I just now realized how ridiculous that sounded."
"Well..." She paused. "At least we won't have to travel far, now."
"Right?" I smiled. "Looks like things are turning around for the be-"
Before I could finish my sentence, I smacked face first into a metal wall.
"... Ow..."
I backed up and held my hoof out for a moment, tapping against what sounded like a hollow, steel structure.
"What is it...?" Thorne said softly, before I heard her tapping against it herself.
"I'm not sure..." I moved in and pressed my ear to the structure, to which I heard movement inside. Machinery. The clanky spinning of gears and cogs, to the hissing of steam, to the thumping of pistons, to the humming of engines. Something was in there, running like clockwork.
I backed away from it. "Whatever it is, it's powered... We should-"
Quite suddenly, I was interrupted with a bright flash of light that shined down over me, as if I were on a stage in front of an audience. I caught Thorne next to a giant metal pillar, looking at me, just outside of the circle of light.
Looking up, I saw three giant headlamps in a vertical line, and I finally figured out what it was I had bumped into...
"WE MEET AGAIN."
Thorne instantly dropped to the floor, screaming within her helmet as she spasmed uncontrollably.
"No!" I shouted. "Stop! Please, don't..." I looked down at Thorne, before rushing to her. By the time I lifted her head, she had gone quiet... "Fuck, no... No, no, no! What did you do!?"
"I CAME HERE TO TALK TO YOU, AND THAT IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN. THERE WILL BE NO FIGHTING. I'M ONLY HERE TO STRIKE A DEAL."
"Why the hell would I make a fucking deal with the son of a bitch that killed my mother and took my horn!?" I glared up at him as my hoof built up an electrifying rage.
"Titan, no more talking!" Firebright shouted as she walked around from behind his rear hoof. She shined her spotlight as she walked towards me, and I noticed a flame thrower on one side of her, and a minigun on the other. "Hey, lil' bro."
"You..." I glared at her for a moment, before looking back up at Titan, and then her again. Why didn't they have an E.F.S. blip...? "What the hell are you two doing here?"
"As Titan said." She spoke softly, stepping over Thorne's body. "We're here to strike a deal with you. We know where Snow Star is."
I paused, and for a moment... a very small moment... the electricity in my hoof died as my emotions were struck. "How...?"
She sighed and slid her helmet off, which, if I remembered correctly, was going against one of her rules about the wasteland. Her dark purple eyes stared into mine as she continued. "How do you think we kept finding you? You're a unicorn, and all unicorns in the bunker are to be tagged with a tracking chip. Just so we can keep an eye on everypony. You can thank your mother for that one. She is the one that gave us the idea, after all."
"You... You... You pieces of shit..." My hoof flared up again. "What else are you hiding from me? What else did you do to me!?"
Fire smiled faintly as she shrugged. "You'll have to ask Bristle that one."
"No." I said as I grit my teeth. She glanced down at my mouth, and her smile grew a bit.
"Hey, nice fangs. Wasteland changed you a lot, huh? Is that tongue as good as I remember it being?"
"Shut the fuck up, or I'll crush your ovaries."
"Oooo. Got a hell of a lot more dominant. I like that." She grinned as she looked me up and down. "I like it rough."
"You know what? I don't need either of you. I'll take my chances finding her on my own." I aimed my rifle at her. "Are you ready for what comes next?"
"Alright, alright..." Fire rolled her eyes as her smile diminished. "I'll stop."
"No, no. I said I don't need either of you, and I meant it. I have my own leads." I paused for a moment, realizing the compass was pointing in this direction earlier. Wait...
I pulled out the compass and flipped open the lid to find it was pointing directly at Titan.
"Wait... no, that's not right..." I looked up at him. "Where is she?"
Fire tsked as she shook her head. "We know about Happy, and we know about his compass. We knew that eventually, you'd find out what it really was, and use it to your advantage. To say, find Snow Star, or the bunker. We can't let that happen. So we came up with an idea. You have something we want, and we have the whereabouts of your lover. You give us the anomaly, and we'll personally deliver you to her. A fair trade, if you ask me."
"This sounds like a trick. You're just gonna kill me, aren't you? She's dead, isn't she?"
She shook her head. "Nope. She's off to the east. It's a long ways away, though. And you don't know where to look."
"I..." The choice was getting hard... The sole reason I was out here was to find her again. To be reunited with Snow. And I had that opportunity...
"It's a small price to pay for love, lil' bro." She smiled again as she regarded me. "What'll it be?"
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, before looking back at her. "I'll give you the battery under three conditions."
She raised a brow. "I'm listening?"
"One. You bring me to Snow Star."
"That was already on the table."
I nodded. "Two. You release every. last. unicorn from the chapter and bring them to me. Alive, and in one piece. Unharmed."
She bit her lip silently, keeping her eyes locked on mine.
"Three... you leave me, my friends, and all other unicorns alone. No making new slaves to do your bidding... You do as I demand, and only then, will you get the battery."
She sighed and shook her head, before slipping her helmet back on. "And just when I thought we were about to make some progress..."
"I'm hearing a no." I stated bluntly. "This deal's off." I took a step forward, scowling. "I will find Snow Star without either of you. I will find the bunker without either of you. I will save the unicorns from your tyranny. I will destroy everything you dedicated your life to." I looked up at Titan, sheltering my eyes from the blinding light. "I will melt you into molten steel, and use you to build the houses of the unicorns you enslaved. It'll be their turn to live off you. What goes around, comes around. You will die knowing that you helped provide shelter to a race you despised. A race you beat down. A race you were afraid of. And you were right to fear them... cause I'm a motherfucking unicorn, and our payment is long overdue."
"THAT'S FUNNY, COMING FROM A PATHETIC EXCUSE OF A UNICORN I COULD CRUSH LIKE AN ANT. YOU DON'T HAVE A HORN."
"Neither do I!" I heard Scope shout from behind me in the distance, just before the round of a sniper went off and drilled into Titan's chest, before exploding. He staggered back a step.
"Enough of this! We tried to make it work, Charger!"
At once, a torrent of fire launched out at me. I watched as it rushed in for the kill. Something that could actually kill me...
Within a moment's notice, I could feel the heat build rapidly, and my coat start to singe. The virus inside me started to writhe about.
I closed my eyes and turned away, realizing I didn't have enough time to get out of the way.
Turning away might not have done much for me, but I had a better chance of survival than facing the fire head on, due to the armor I wore.
Suddenly, I felt my body warp. Opening my eyes, I saw I was beside Hollow and Scope. Thorne was lying on the ground beside us, and in the distance stood Fire and Titan. The two of them looked in our direction.
Titan's cannon started to glow a bright red, and Fire's minigun began spinning.
"We need to get out of here." Scope said quickly, before firing another round at Titan. It didn't explode against him like the first one, but it did stagger him a bit. Onyx flew around the colossus, blasting him with plasma rounds to his back and head. I didn't think it was doing a whole lot, but it was distracting him.
Fire started to focus her gun on the pegasus, and Titan focused back on our position, before his cannon started to glow red again.
And then he roared.
Onyx dropped out of the sky like a fly to an invisible swatter, and Scope and Hollow both recoiled. Scope began screaming as he tried to cover his ears with his hooves, and Hollow groaned, before shouting, just as her horn lit up. For some reason, his voice wasn't having an effect on me like the others...
"I'm gonna regret this!"
There was no time to think before we were gone in a flash of light.
> Channel 002.4; ... Name is...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You think I inject myself with all that shite and drink myself drunk because I'm a 'tough Irish gal?' I do it so I can forget and move on with me miserable life. So there you are. The entire flawed package known as Cait, stripped bare for your perusal."


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The world came back to me.
The moon was still out, and the land was as dark as ever.
Considering I was looking at three giant active headlamps a moment ago, I was relatively blind, but I could still see around my surroundings. Just not too far.
Onyx laid in front of me, while Thorne was at my side; both out cold.
"Wh-what was that?" Scope shouted. I flashed my pipbuck light on just in time to see him remove his hooves from his blood-drenched ears. "I-I can't hear!" He looked around his surroundings. "Fuck, it hurts!"
Hollow got up from her stomach as a compartment opened up, and she pulled a health potion out, giving it to him.
He chugged a quarter of it down, before taking a deep breath and closing his eyes.
"How about now?" She asked softly.
He turned to her and nodded slowly. "Yeah... Yeah, I can hear you now..." He reached the potion back to her, to which she took it back and approached Thorne and Onyx.
"They're okay..." She stated in a gentle tone. "They still have a pulse..." She removed Thorne's helmet with care and gradually tipped the restoration potion to her lips in small sips. "They're lucky they're alive..."
"You're supposed to be dead." I heard... myself say... from behind.
I turned around to see another me, standing before us with a horn the same color as my coat, and evidently, his. He wore a black, leather duster, with combat armor underneath it. His green eyes were locked on mine, and mine alone. He didn't dare glance at any of the others.
Enveloped in the beige aura of his magic beside him was a bulky, tri-barreled shotgun that lacked a trigger, grip, and stock. But in its place, housed three large ammo drums that fed into the gun at a diagonal angle.
He pointed the gun at me as he scowled.
"Wait, what the hell...?" I backed up a bit. "W-who are you...?"
The gun cocked through the pump action as he stared on into my eyes. "Doesn't matter."
Hollow lunged in between us as her horn started to light up again.
Just as I started to jump to the side, the gun burst into repeated waves of buckshot, and each round was followed with an explosive impact. I noticed the barrels recede into the gun individually with whatever shot it sent out.
Not even Hollow's armor was able to protect her from the assault. Her body rammed against mine from the impact as she screamed in pain, pinning me to the ground. Her horn flickered for a moment as she remained atop me, but as her screams got louder, her magic came back in a surge, and my world became a white flash again, just for a moment.
After my body had warped into a new location, her cries resumed.
Scope rushed to her and tore her off my body. Onyx and Thorne were still with us, but their helmets were missing now, and they were still knocked out.
I got up, wincing for a moment, before I looked down at Hollow. I realized right then and there why she was screaming.
The entire side of her armor, around her barrel, had been chewed through, and her entrails were left exposed.
"Hold on..." Scope mumbled to himself as he fished around through his saddle bags. "Hold on, damn it..."
I quickly opened the medical capsule on my pipbuck as her cries started to grow quieter, and her body began to still. I turned the oversized bracelet upside down, pouring the vials of restoration medicine from within over her injury.
I didn't know how to remove her helmet, so this was the next best thing I could think of. It was working, just not very well.
Scope looked at me for a very brief moment after he pulled out a potion, before looking back down at her. "Thanks..." He muttered under his breath, before speaking up again. "Hollow, remove your helmet."
The helmet started to fold in on itself immediately after, moving around her structure. It stopped at the neck, but her face was exposed now.
He quickly put the neck of the bottle to her lips and tilted it gradually as she gulped, closing her eyes.
Her wound started to close up, and her organs began to fix themselves. I saw quite a bit of mechanical parts in there before her hide had sealed itself back up.
After the bottle was gone, she pulled away a bit and looked up at him. "I need... m... more..." She wheezed. "M-more..."
Her head fell under its own weight, and her body went limp as her eyes grew distant.
He pressed the tip of his hoof to her throat, then sighed, closing his eyes. "She still has a pulse..." He grit his teeth, swinging his head away from both her and I, and facing the dark. "Fuck... Fuck!" He kicked his hoof against a rock, and at that moment, I noticed he was shaking. He spun back toward me. "We need to patch them up and keep moving. It's not safe here."
"Agree-" I started to say, before he interrupted.
"That wasn't a request." He snapped a glare at me.
I paused for a moment, glaring back as I collected my thoughts again. "How are we gonna carry-"
"I'll worry about Thorne and Onyx. You just carry Hollow." He began fishing around his saddle bags some more. Presumably for more health potions. "We can't sit out here any longer..."


(((((((◉)))))))


By the time the sun started to come up, we caught sight of our first building since the escape. Wandering through the dark did fuck all for us, but we were still heading east.
Scope and I didn't have a whole lot to say to each other.
I was more focused on what it was we had run into. Another me? What was going on here...?
I had so many questions...
We walked along a two lane road in the middle of nowhere. The two story house ahead of us looked as dead as the rest of the land that surrounded it.
As we approached the entrance, I unfolded my chair and held it out in front of me, aiming at the door. An E.F.S. blip appeared in my sight as we had approached. It was blue, but so was what now appeared to be another me, earlier...
I looked at Scope as I pointed the chair at where the marker was. I mouthed the words 'inside,' to which he nodded as he levitated his rifle out, keeping the barrel on the door.
I rammed against said door and aimed around, but the bottom floor next to the stairwell was left undefended by whoever was here.
Scope ran in shortly after. He set Thorne and Onyx down beside the stairs and continued on his way, down a hallway; rifle ready.
The blip started to move abruptly for a brief moment, before stopping a few feet away from its initial location. It was directly above me. Or below me... It had to be one of the two.
I didn't see a cellar or basement on my way here, but then again, I only saw one side of the building.
Still, I started up the stairs.
As I made my way for the top, I spun around, in case there was someone at the railing, preparing to ambush me.
I didn't see anyone, but there was a door. Someone was on the other side, according to the E.F.S.
I carefully slid Hollow's limp body off my back, reached around before she fell, and gently laid her down.
I crept up to it, breathing slowly. I didn't want anyone knowing I was on the other side, in case they had a gun on it. I didn't know what kind of weapons they had on them, but I wasn't taking the chance of flamers, explosives, megaspells, or energy weapons.
I had enough of that for one night.
As I stepped up to the door, the floorboards beneath me creaked. In an instant, I burst through and aimed the chair around, keeping my mouth around the bit of my rifle.
The bedroom was void of life, but someone had definitely been staying here. There were a few playpony magazines lying around on the floor, and a can of half eaten apple slices, along with a sleeping bag, some leather armor, and some saddle bags.
I looked over at the blip on my E.F.S. to find I was facing the closed door of a closet.
Hastily, I approached it and swung the door open, only to look down at a yellow coated teenage earth pony, shivering as he looked down the barrel of a rifle and four more barrels that were built into the legs of a super chair.
I caught a strong whiff of his fear the moment I opened the door, as it was soon evident to me that he crapped himself. I scrunched my muzzle as I backed up a bit, keeping my guns on him.
"Who are you?" I asked, keeping my eyes on him all the while.
"N-nopony important! Please don't hurt me! I'll leave, promise!"
"Wrong answer." The four legs of my chair realigned themselves, aiming directly at him. "Who are you?"
"I'm just trying to survive out here, alright!?" He blurted as tears washed down his face. "Please, I'll give you anything! Just let me go!"
Scope charged through the door of the bedroom, looking at me, then at the stranger.
"Seems sincere enough..." I muttered, turning back to him and lowering the furniture. I took my mouth off the bit and backed up further. "Clean yourself up and come on out. You're safe, so long as you don't try anything stupid."
He nodded shakily as he whimpered, then paused as he regarded me. "C... can I get some privacy...?"
I looked down at him coolly before nodding to the door. "Your privacy is right there."
He nodded again. "R-right..." And with that, he closed himself back in the closet.
Just then, did I start to feel my moth crawling around on the back of my neck. He sure liked to sleep on me a lot. Most of the time, he wasn't moving.
I turned to Scope and smiled wanly. "Bring Thorne and Onyx up here. Right here is as good a place as any to let them recover."
He nodded to me before turning around and making his way back downstairs.
I set my chair down and sat; sighing from the relief to my hindquarters. I was exhausted... and full of so many questions...


(((((((◉)))))))


"So what's your name, kid?" I asked as he sat on his sleeping bag, across from me.
Scope sat at my side, and Thorne, Onyx, and Hollow were resting up in the room with us.
"Uhh... Um..." He paused for a moment, just before taking a few gulps from a Sparkle Cola Cherry that he pulled from his saddle bags. He had been eyeing Hollow for some time. He was just as befuddled as I was when I first saw her true appearance, but he wasn't asking questions. Probably because Scope was shooting daggers at him through his glares whenever he started to open his mouth, after looking at the zebra.
"Brown Closet, got it. My name's Charger, and this here is Scope." I said, nodding my head to my right.
"H-hey, that's not my name!" He blurted, almost spitting out his drink.
"It is now." Scope replied. "Took too long with your answer, Brown Closet."
He sighed and shook his head, muttering something under his breath, before looking back up at Scope. Specifically, his broken horn. "What happened to your-"
"Stop asking, cause I'm not answering." Scope said abruptly, glaring at him again.
Closet looked at me quietly for a moment, but I just shrugged and smiled. "He gave me the same response. Don't take it personally."
He nodded, then took another large gulp from his soda. He seemed to loosen up a lot more as time went on.
"Gonna be honest..." He said softly, looking back at me. "I thought you two were raiders. I thought I was dead for sure."
"Heh..." I supported my head against a forehoof as my arm rested on the left armrest of my chair. "I suppose we're raiders to raiders. Slaughtered a camp of 'em last night."
"Oh... Wow." He smiled a bit. "Well, I guess that's one less problem to deal with, huh?"
"Absolutely!" I said with a grin, before looking around my surroundings. "So where are we, anyways? We didn't get time to look for a map."
"We're a couple miles west of Virtue." Scope said simply.
... WHAT...?
I turned to him as my jaw dropped in disbelief. "We backtracked...?"
"Look, I haven't really ever traveled too far from the northwest before. The farthest I've ever been out is the Mojave, and I don't go there anymore. I didn't have very many options in terms of teleporting us away from..." He paused as he regarded me silently. "From... you know..."
I sighed and hung my head down. "We gonna finally talk about that?"
"You weren't supposed to see that." Scope muttered under his breath.
"What is that doing out here?"
"What's what doing where?" Closet asked simply.
"It's probably best if you don't know..." I muttered, looking at the colt. "Can we have the room?"
He nodded silently, before getting up and trotting for the door. He closed it behind him, and after hearing his hoofsteps fade down the walkway for the stairs, Scope finally responded.
"My best guess is that it's a Coarser from the Institute. It's the only answer I have. There's also that whole getup he had. A lot of Coarsers dress like that."
"A synth...?" I raised a brow.
"It's rare, but every so often, a synth travels to the west and tries to make it out here. I guess the Coarsers are sent here to hunt down the AWOLs."
"But a Coarser made from me...?" I asked quietly. "What significance would they get out of that?"
He shrugged. "Asking someone that never really studied the Institute's actions. Only reason I know about them is because Hollow told me. You want answers? Gonna have to ask her. When she wakes up..." He looked down at her with worry in his eyes. "You're big news, apparently... Everyone wants you."
"I'm starting to realize that more and more, lately." I shook my head and took a deep breath, ready to change the topic. "So what's the plan?"
"Best idea is we wait here a bit. Maybe go to Virtue and get a bit more supplies. Come nightfall, I'll teleport us back to the raider camp. Hopefully by then, the place will have been cleared out."
"That's an understatement." I muttered. "There's a chance they initiated a Scorched Equus Policy on the camp. I've heard a few cases from the other rangers, back in the day."
He raised a brow. "A Scorched Equus Policy? What's that?"
I leaned my back against the chair and tilted my head back, letting it rest from its own weight. "Use a resource until we get what we want from it, and before moving on, destroy any hope of anyone else being able to use it. For anything. I never really did it, seeing as I never got the chance to."
"Saddle?"
I snapped a look at him as my hoof flickered. "How do you know about Saddle?"
He pointed at Hollow silently.
I sighed and shook my head. "Raids are a bit different than the S.E.P. With raids, there's at least remnants left over. Structures still standing, resources still lying about, somewhere. Scorched Equus Policy may as well level an entire area and burn every little thing. No shelter, no food, no water, and no salvage." I paused as I tapped my chin with a forehoof, looking up at the ceiling with a sudden realization. "... Which... I guess I did, anyways... What with setting off the nuclear reactor."
Scope's eyes went wide. "Wait, you're the one that set off the nuclear reactor in Saddle?"
I nodded slowly. "I'd say 'Woops, my bad.' But it was intentional."
"... Huh." He stared for a moment. "Well, Virtue is still safe from the blast. But you caused one hell of a mess with that fire."
"Trust me." I stated bluntly. "I was doing the entire world a favor destroying that reactor."
It's a damn shame the F-virus got out, anyways...
A for effort though, right...?
Scope stood up and stretched his legs as he levitated his rifle. "Lucky for Virtue, they have a surplus of Rad-Away and Rad-x. Lucky for you, too... I made an oath I wouldn't let Virtue come to harm..." He stared deep into my eyes for a long moment. I could feel his frustration become a threat through his gaze. I kept my eyes on his all the while.
Do it, motherfucker... Kill me...
My hoof startled to crackle with electricity...
He cracked a smile and averted his eyes to the door. "If we're gonna stop by Virtue, then I'm gonna talk to Brown Closet and see about him tagging along. The place could always use more residents."
"Is it wise bringing Hollow in there?" I asked, looking down at her. "I mean... she's a zebra. Won't they hate that?"
He gave me a momentary pause, before looking down at her. "Virtue is about forgiveness, Charger. They'll let her in." With that, he started for the door.
"I didn't see you there." I said quickly, to which he stopped and looked back at me. "At Virtue, I mean. I was there not too long ago, and I never saw you there."
He smiled wanly, before looking up at the ceiling. I caught a glint in his eye... They sparkled with the light's reflection against liquid...
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, though I caught a shudder in there somewhere...
"Virtue is about forgiveness..." He turned back to the door as he opened it. "I don't forgive..."
And with that, he stepped out, leaving me with the rest of the unconscious party.
After a while, I pulled out the picture Fluky had made and studied it. Every line, every curve, every color...
I did what was in her best interest. She shouldn't have been mad at me for that. I did what I could to save her. Titan and Fire would have just hurt her if they found her. Just for the fuck of it...
I just hoped that she would listen to the voice of reason...
Hollow gently rolled onto her hooves and stood up, looking around her surroundings as she coughed a bit.
It turned out I had been staring at the picture longer than I thought, as according to my pipbuck, eight minutes had gone past.
"Where are the others?" Hollow asked as she calmly approached me.
"Downstairs, I think." I replied softly. "Are you okay?" I stood up and put the picture back in my saddle bags, approaching her.
"I should be asking you that." She stated as I gently ran my hoof along her bare hide, where she was injured not too long ago. "Considering what you saw earlier."
I looked back at her, and our eyes met for a moment, before I cracked a smile. But it was fake...
"I'll be okay." I replied.
Slowly, she nodded back and turned to Thorne and Onyx. "They're going to be okay. Life signs are stable. They just need rest."
I nodded to her as she turned back to me. "This will give us time to talk..." She said under her breath as her armor began to disassemble around her, falling to the floor in chunks.
"About...?" I raised a brow as I studied her body moving closer to me.
She inched her muzzle close to mine, before whispering. "He saw my energy reading, and he broke into the dimension. My hunter is on his way here..."
"Fuck..." I hung my head down a bit. "If it's not one thing, it's another..."
"My sentiments exactly..." She muttered as I looked back into her eyes. "The good news is that he can't find out where I am unless I use my magic again... He just knows I'm on Equus somewhere..."
I nodded slightly. "A silver lining, at the very least..."
"Mm." She nodded back.
"If it comes down to it, I have your back." I said with a half smile. She looked into my eyes and smiled back, before moving in and placing a kiss on my cheek.
"Thank you, Charger... I appreciate it. But be careful. He'll kill anyone that gets in his way..."
"Noted." I replied as I wrapped a hoof around her, only to pull her in for a warm embrace.
"You're a good pony..." She whispered in my ear as her hoof wrapped around the back of my neck. "I wish the world treated you better..."
"Yeah..." I closed my eyes. "Me too..."


(((((((◉)))))))


Once Thorne and Onyx woke up, we got back on the road, heading towards Virtue, apparently. So much for progress...
Their helmets were gone for good, and Hollow's armor was too damaged for her to wear anymore.
Brown Closet was eyeing Hollow intently. Whenever she turned to look at him, he'd quickly avert his eyes.
"What's your name, anyways?" She asked calmly.
"Huh?" He looked back at her in surprise. "U-uh..."
"Brown Closet." Scope and I both said in unison.
"Jinx, you owe me a-"
"Stop that!" Scope sneered as he spun his head to me. "I owe you nothing!"
"Awww, is poor Scopie Poo upset that he's in debt to sad, lil' suicidal Chargie for sugary goodness?" I put a hoof underneath my eye and traced the tip down my cheek, mocking a tear as I pouted.
"Shut up..." He muttered, looking away. "And don't call me that..."
"And for the record!" Closet blurted. "That's not my real name!"
"So what is it?" Thorne asked curiously, narrowing her eyes at him.
"U-um... It's... complicated..."
Thorne and I exchanged glances.
Yeah, I didn't know how to feel about that, either...
"What's so complicated about a name?" Onyx asked, raising a brow.
"Heh..." Hollow scoffed as she turned away from us.
"What's so funny?" Onyx turned to her with a confused expression.
"Nothing." The zebra replied softly. "Let's get to Virtue and see what we can get there."


(((((((◉)))))))


The town wasn't busy anymore.
Upon approach, I saw a few security guards at the entrance, looking at us. One had a rifle enveloped in their magic, looking through their scope as they directed their weapon at us. After a moment, they lowered said weapon and just stared in awe at Hollow.
The place was quiet. Deliveries to the depot seemed to have ceased, and everyone was kinda just doing their own thing. Until they saw the unicorn-zebra hybrid, that was. Then they all just stopped and stared with dropped jaws.
"I'll see about getting us a place to stay until nightfall." I said as I started to trot down the muddy road, to the other side of Virtue, where the motel was.
"I'm getting a drink." Scope muttered.
"Count me in." Thorne said as she followed behind.
"Buy me a bottle, will ya?" I asked as I stopped to fish around for the caps in my saddle bags. "Absinthe, if they have it. If not, whiskey of vodka." I held the caps out to Scope, but he just glared down at them for a moment, before looking up at me.
"I'm not your errand boy. Do it yourself."
I sighed before turning to Thorne in a deadpan.
"I got it taken care of." She said softly as she took the caps. "You just worry about getting us that room."
With a nod, I replied and turned to the new guy. "On it. Closet, feel free to stick around here. It's safe. Where we're going, you don't wanna be a part of."
He mumbled quietly to himself as he started to walk away.
Everyone turned to Hollow and Onyx as we stood there.
"What about you?" Scope asked, regarding her with a hopeful smile. "Have a drink with me?"
"Maybe some other time. I need to keep an eye on things..." With that, she trotted away down a path neither group was gonna venture to.
"Yeah, count me out." Onyx stated. "Gonna stick with Char-"
"Nopony asked you!" Scope blurted as he scowled at her.
"... ger... Make... sure he doesn't start any trouble..." She finished quietly.
I patted her on the shoulder gently for a moment to offer some semblance of comfort, before I realized what she just said. "Trouble?" I balked. "I don't start trouble! It just happens to find me a lot!"
She gave me a soft, yet pained smirk, before nodding to Thorne. "I'll be okay. Stay safe."
Thorne nodded back after glancing at Scope. "You too, Onyx..."
With that, the group parted ways.
My moth friend launched out from behind my ear and landed on the tip of my nose as I trotted down the road with Onyx. They seemed to have grown in size a bit. The fangs and stinger were more distinct, and the body was bigger. The smoke that emanated off the creature was more noticeable, too.
"Got a name for him?" Onyx asked as she regarded the moth.
"No, not yet."
"Well, he seems to really like you for some reason. Wish I had a pet."
After a short walk, we entered the office to the motel, and the first sight I was greeted with was Shadow Hoof behind his counter with his nose buried in a book.
"Hey, Shadow." I said gently, but was left with no response.
"Shadow!"
"Wagh!" He jumped suddenly, nearly dropping his book. After grabbing a hold of it, he looked at me and paused. "C-Charger...?" A smile started to grow on his features as he adjusted his glasses. "I didn't expect to see you here anytime soon! How are you?" He cleared his throat shortly after it cracked. He glanced down at the moth on my nose for a moment, before meeting my eyes again.
"Hard to answer that question." I replied. "Can we get a room? Just until the night?"
He nodded. "Y-yeah, of course! Of course!" He hastily opened his log book and skimmed through the papers. "Oh dear..." He paused, then looked up at me. "Uh, is it just you and her? And... hey, where's everyone else?"
"They're away." I stated simply. "But I have another party with me."
He bit his lip nervously as he looked at me. "I see... Well, I'm sorry to say, but all our rooms are taken, except one. And it was meant for only one pony..."
I turned to Onyx, to which she just shrugged. I looked back at Shadow and smiled. "Fuck it, we'll take it." I started to search around for my caps. "How much-"
"Free of charge." He smiled happily.
I looked at him in the corner of my vision as I kept my head down to my saddle bags. "But... doesn't the NCR know I hate them?"
He shrugged before giving me a wide grin. "Courtesy of me. I missed ya. I..." He froze for a moment as I raised my head, turning to him directly. "Well, when I woke up, you were gone. I didn't think I was gonna see you again."
"Yeah, look... I'm sorry about that." I muttered, rubbing the back of my head as I averted my eyes down to the floor. "I had to leave."
"Hey, you had your reasons." He beamed at me, before gritting his teeth as his horn lit up. His aura flickered around a key behind him, before levitating to me. "Here ya go. Enjoy your stay, Charger."
"Thanks, Shadow..." I whispered as I turned around and left for the exit.


(((((((◉)))))))


I awoke to find myself lying in the middle of the road of Virtue. The land and sky were both dark, and no one was here but me. I was alone.
Heh... Story of my life...
I lifted myself up off the ground, greeted with absolute silence.
"Hello?" I called out, looking around. "Hello!"
Not even the howling of a wind answered me.
Come to think of it, I didn't even feel the slightest breeze through my coat. The air was still and silent. Like death.
The whole place was. Not one sound occurred here unless I made it.
Virtue was dead. The place had been deserted long ago; lost to the sands of time and forgotten.
I looked up at a black, starless sky. No clouds. No moon. No stars. No wind.
"Hm..." I looked around my surroundings some more, but what was there to look at? No one was here, and-
There was a loud, deafening tear that roared and spread across the endless, empty sky as a red light began to flash from above. A sound I hadn't heard before, but one that struck the utmost fear into my heart. Like something horrible just happened, or was in the process of happening.
I lifted my eyes to the blackened heavens to see the vortex shining above me, but there was no choir to join it this time.
Suddenly, I saw something move in the darkness, just down the street. I spun my head in its direction to witness it start to walk forward. Something big. Each step emitted thunder underneath its hoof. It was none other than one of my three arch nemesis'. My steel colossus. My demon.
Titan.
He continued to stomp forward, facing me directly without saying a word.
I spun around and began to run, but as I did, I started to hear a ticking sound... A soft ticking in my ears...
Tick... Tock... Tick...
Each step Titan took closed the distance between us. His size helped him travel farther in such short notice. Even though he was walking and I was hoofing it, I couldn't outrun him!
Tick. Tock. Tick.
The hands of time grew louder by the second, constantly reminding me of my inevitable doom.
Time was a fucking demon!
Stitches burnt into my sides as I ran through the dead town that was once the last few remaining locations that held a pureness to make the wasteland a better place. I wasn't going to stop though. Not even for a second!
Tick! Tock! Tick!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The ground shook violently under each step Titan took for me, causing me to trip over my own hooves and fall flat on my face into the mud.
I quickly rolled over on my back to see a forehoof start to close down over my form as my world grew darker.
TICK! TOCK! TI-


(((((((◉)))))))


I shot up in a yelp, before looking around to gather my surroundings.
Bedroom. No, wait. Motel room. Bed. Chair. Bathroom door. Bathroom. Window. Radio. Table. Curtains. Moth. Light. A concerned Onyx. Floor. Rug. Fire. Mysterious brown stain splattered on the ceiling.
Wait... FIRE!?
I took a second to look down at my legs to see flames spreading along the bedding as my hoof crackled with electricity.
FIRE!
I rolled off the bed immediately as I felt the virus inside me start to boil, falling face first on the floor.
Ow, Goddess damn it!
I quickly got up on my hooves, bit down on the corner of the pillow I had been using, and slammed it against the growing flames repeatedly in attempts to put it out.
By the time it had been extinguished, the pillow was nothing more than an empty case. Around it was nothing but cotton and feathers.
"Charger, you okay...?" Onyx asked.
"Wha...?" I spun around to her with my mouth hung open.
"A-are you okay...?"
"Y-yeah... I am now..."
FUCK. SLEEP.
Sleep hated me, and I hated sleep. Why did I need to sleep anyways? Sleep took so much time away from me! All I seemed to get from sleep lately was nightmares! I didn't recall signing away for neverending nightmares! That wasn't fair!
I really wanted to numb the senses right about now...
"Hey, Onyx..." I started. She kept her eyes on me. "Do you have any Med-x?"
"Hm..." She stared for a moment.
"Hm?"
"Hollow said you were addicted to the stuff."
"Okay. Your point?"
"You're okay with that?"
I laughed softly as I shook my head. "At this point, I just don't really care anymore. Not like I can die from ODing anyways. Feels better when I can't feel anything at all."
She gave me a pitiful look, but I rolled my eyes. "Don't give me that. I've been raped, beaten, tortured, and torn apart. Sometimes it's best if you can't feel. My life has been one big fucking joke, and the only escape I could find was either at the bottom of a glass, or in a needle. Everything's been a lie." I pointed a hoof at her, glaring. My hoof burst with electricity as the anger awoke. "You don't get to judge me."
"Whoa, h-hey... I'm not... judging..."
The front door opened, and as I looked over my shoulder, I saw Thorne step in.
"What's happening here?" She asked, closing the door behind her with a rear hoof. "You're attacking Onyx now, too?"
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, hanging my head down as I faced ahead again. The electricity started to gradually calm down as I tried to find a safe place in my mind.
Looking back at Onyx, I spoke. "Guess I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Sorry, Onyx."
She smiled softly and nodded. "It's okay, Charger. Really. I wasn't... trying to judge you, for the record... I'm sorry about that."
"Yeah..." I sat on the bed and shuddered, holding myself with my fores.
"You okay?" Thorne asked.
"Heh..." That was all I could get out.
"I might not have any Med-x," Onyx started. "But we still have one more memory orb we've yet to look through. Maybe that'll help pass some time at least?"
I turned to her and smiled softly. "Sure. Why not?"


(((((((◉)))))))


My host was that of an earth pony, walking down a darkened Saddle, with only streetlights to help both of us see.
His motion spoke sadness to me. Something was wrong on his end.
He hung his head down, looking at his light grey hooves as he moved down the street. A soft rain glistened against his fur from the neon lights of bars, strip joints, and restaurants around him.
There was laughter, music, and chatter all around, but he seemed to be lost in this world. Someplace else in his mind. There was no happiness here.
He stopped and lifted his head to a flickering neon sign of a pony with a mug of frothing beer, going bottoms up, until they hiccuped. He watched the animation go on loop a few times, studying the sign for a long while, before he lowered his head to the door beneath it. He took a deep breath of the wet, city air, closing his eyes, therefore filling both of our worlds with darkness. We both studied the sound of the rain splashing against the roads; the moisture as it ran down his coat. The wheels from wagons racing through the night lights.
Laughter, cheering, glasses clinking. Conversations from afar.
From there, he raised his eyelids like the curtains of a play and pushed forward, opening the door to the bar.
It was packed with drunken ponies, laughing and having the time of their lives.
My host was a stranger here. An unwelcome guest. An outsider. An alien...
He scanned through the room, looking for... something. What it was, I wasn't quite sure. But he stayed close to the exit the entire time he looked around.
When whatever he was looking for didn't turn up, he sighed and turned around, to which I felt his lips move. I barely heard him through all the noise and music.
But I knew that lip movement. I was much too familiar with the shape and how his lips moved to say those four words... Because I had been saying it myself, at the end of each day, back in the bunker... For nine years...
"I shouldn't be here..."
Just as he started to leave through the exit, a mare called out to him as a hoof poked his side.
Turning around, he was greeted by the one and only Floe Glaze, who smiled happily at him as she hugged him close and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"I'm glad you came!" She said aloud with a pleased grin. "I've been saving you a spot, Arum!"
"It's Petiole..." He replied as his brows knit.
"You told me to call you Arum." She remarked as she raised a questioning brow.
"Things change..." He paused, before looking around at the party. "Look, I shouldn't be here... Mansia-"
"-Is fine!" She said abruptly as she playfully nudged his shoulder. "Come on, live a little! It won't hurt!"
Before he could protest, she took his hoof in hers and dragged him through the crowd of drunk ponies. Some of them wore pre war military uniforms. Quite a few, actually. The time it took to get to the bar counter, I had spotted at least seven.
"Hey, tender of bars!" Floe called out, raising a hoof. "Glass of your finest whiskey for this champ right here!" She pointed that same hoof at my host, grinning happily.
The bartender nodded, before getting to work.
"Floe Glaze, I-"
"Nuh, nuh, nah, ah, ah! Shhh, sh, sh, sh!" The tip of her hoof patted his lips before he could get another word out. She turned back to the bartender. "Make that two!"
"You got it!"
The two glasses were put down on the counter shortly after. Floe threw down her bits for the order, took both drinks, and reached one out to Petiole as she got up on her hindlegs and leaned her back against the counter, exposing her belly to him. Her elbows rested on either side of her, on the counter's surface.
She raised her glass to the ceiling via her magic. "Cheers, Petiole. To a good friendship, and a wonderful pony to work for."
"With." He said simply as he took the glass. "Not for. With."
"Whatever ya say, boss." With a grin, she winked and put the lip of the glass to her muzzle.
Petiole did the same, and the contents burned down his throat as he gulped it down in one go.
They both shuddered as they set the empty glasses down. A warmth was already starting to develop in his gut.
"Another!" Floe called out as she fished around her saddle bags for more bits.
Things got wishy washy from that point on. Time skipped forward consistently, and I was stuck in a drunken stupor, falling over chairs, tables, other ponies, and bumping into doors and walls.
A lot of angry faces were thrown at my host as he stumbled around.
By the time things were starting to calm down again, him and Floe Glaze were walking down a silent street, side by side. Floe was singing. Horribly, I might add.
"Shown me the way ta go hooome! I tired an' I wanna go ta bed. I had drunk 'bout an hour ago, and it wen' strai-" Hic! "Toooo mah head!"
She bumped into Petiole as she stumbled about, to which he groaned.
"Be careful." He said in a snappy tone.
"Hey, mannn..." She wrapped a hoof around his shoulder and leaned against him. "Ya gotta 'ave some fun."
Petiole just sighed, looked the other direction, and shook his head in disapproval. "Easier said than done when life treats you like a joke."
"Treats ya like a joke?" She scrunched her muzzle. "I dun ge-" Hic! "... It."
Petiole sighed and closed his eyes as the words escaped his lips. I wasn't even in his mind, and I could feel how vile they tasted. "Mansia had another miscarriage..."
Floe stopped talking for a long moment, and looking over, he and I both found her just staring with tears welled up in her eyes. "I-I'm... I'm so sorry... I didn't..." She stopped walking, to which Petiole did too. She quickly moved in for a firm hug.
The two of them stood there in the middle of the sidewalk, holding each other close in the soft rain that absorbed into their coats. The only traffic along the walkway was themselves. The roads remained empty of any wagons.
Petiole closed his eyes and sighed. Her mane gently brushed against his muzzle from his breath, tickling him, to which he scrunched his nose and backed up.
She hung her head down, before Petiole started walking again. She joined his side.
"Third time, yeah...?"
"Fourth."
She took a deep breath. "I didn't know... I'm sorry..."
"How would you? I haven't told anyone except you." He shook his head and sighed again. "Let's... talk about something else, okay? Work, or something?"
Floe stayed quiet for a moment as she kept her head down.
"Well..." She finally started in her drunken, slurred tongue. "I got acknowledgement for Stable 14. Should anything happen, which les hope it doesn... But if it does, tha'll be my new home..."
"Stable 14, huh?" Petiole raised a brow. "And where's that?"
"Believe it or not..." She turned to him. "The bottom of the ocean. They got some serious defense there." She paused for a moment as they continued walking. "So are ya assigned to a Stable yet?"
"Stable 32." Petiole stated. "It sounds like it's going to be used for the study of pony biology."
"A medical Stable..." She said softly. "Sounds right up your alley. Speaking of which..." She bumped into his side, to which he grit his teeth. "Sorry..." She backed away from him a bit. "I came across a breakthrough with maintaining stable life signs during stasis."
Petiole looked around, only to find they were alone. He turned back to her and spoke softly. "Go on."
"We've been missin' an ingredient to the operation." She began to pull up a notebook from her saddle bags. "I started manufacturing a liquid that, if my theory is correct, can help preserve life." She handed him the notebook after flipping through to the right page, and he started skimming through it. He was a much faster reader than I was. I couldn't catch up with him. Even if I could, none of this stuff would have made any sense to me. I saw symbols and a random assortment of numbers and letters that seemed more like the writings of a madpony.
"It's risky." Petiole started. "But we can put it to the test."
"I'm thinkin' we fill half a pod with it before activating the stasis. If it's done right, I really do believe that the subject will come back out alive."
Petiole nodded. "Good discovery. We can start the process on Monda-"
Before he could finish his sentence, a flash of light popped out before them. His ears rang horrible, as if a flashbang had gone off. He was thrown and pinned to the ground, and I felt a set of hooves pressed down on his back.
Petiole fought to get back up, but the pony atop him didn't budge.
"Let me go!" He shouted, though his voice was muffled from his - and my - point of view.
A smooth surface pressed to his forehead, and from that point on, the memory abruptly came to a close.


(((((((◉)))))))


I was pulled back into the real world, feeling a soft pressure on my chest. I opened my eyes and looked down to find Onyx pressing her ear to my chest.
"Uh..."
She quickly raised off of me, looking startled. "Sorry, I was just... trying to find out what's going on in that body of yours..." She bit her lip nervously. "Your... heart rate is normal. I'm still having trouble finding out what it is that's happening to you." She shuffled her hoof a bit as she gave me a coy smile. "So... what did you find in there?"
I sat up as I lifted the device from my head. "Oddly enough, this was Petiole's memory..."
She raised a brow. "Whoa... Small world, huh?"
I nodded. "Yeah..."
"What was in it?"
"He was talking to his colleague about their research before they were ambushed. It was pre war."
"Huh..." She looked on, thinking to herself for a moment.
Yeah, I was gonna have to ponder on that one a bit as well. I definitely had some questions for Petiole when I saw him again.
"I'm gonna go check on the others." I said as I rolled off the bed and stood up.
"They should probably still be at the bar."
I nodded to her, before making my way to the door. "Thanks."
It was about mid day by the time I stepped outside again. Virtue was extremely quiet. Last time I was here, everyone was running around, packing up wagons to help with supplies for the battle over in Hoofington.
I wonder how that went, come to think of it... I didn't hear anything about it for a while.
I trotted over to the office of the motel and tapped on the door that was left wide open.
"Come in!" Shadowhoof called out from within.
I stepped inside, and a smile lit up on his face.
"Hey!" He put down the book that was enveloped in his magic as he studied it for a moment. Once it was set down, he looked back up at me. "What brings you around these parts?"
I shrugged as I stopped at the counter. "Figured we could spend some time together while I'm here."
He raised a brow. "We're not gonna get drunk again, are we?"
I shook my head with a soft smile. "No. Just take a walk or something. Maybe grab a bite to eat? Play catch up?"
His smile came back as he nodded. "Sounds good to me! There's a good restaurant just down the road. Has pretty much anything you fancy, seeing as this place is a trade route." He stepped out from behind the counter and made his way to the exit. I followed close behind.
Was it wrong that deep down... way deep down inside me... I craved more ponies?
"So, hey..." I caught up to his side and walked alongside him. "Whatever happened to that whole delivery thing for Hoofington?"
He turned to me quickly with a puzzled look. "You mean, you didn't hear...?"
"Uh... no?" I smiled sheepishly.
"We won the war! Er... we were on the side that won. At least, that's how it sounds. We threw one hell of a party here the night we got the news." He locked eyes with me a moment as his cheerful tone diminished. "I was... kinda hoping you would have been around for it. That you were coming back..."
"I had my own thing going on..." I muttered as I turned away.
"Like?"
I grit my teeth as my hoof crackled with mental anguish.
Here we go...


(((((((◉)))))))


"Hold on..." Shadow said as he raised a hoof between me and him, over the table that sat between us. There was a bowl of noodles before him; steam rising from the tasty food, judging by the smell.
As for me, I had a couple beers and a slab of brahmin steak.
I got a lot of disturbed looks from the other ponies in the vicinity, but I could have cared less. It was my treat to myself. Everyone else needed to fuck off!
Plus... I guarantee they would have preferred me eating brahmin steak to the alternative...
"You mean to tell me that you died..."
"Yes." I said as I deadpanned at him. My ears were now folded back, and a soft electrical current coursed through my hoof.
"And got trapped in a battery..."
"Yes."
"And... found out you're a unicorn." He scrunched his muzzle as he raised a brow.
Sigh... "Yes."
"And then woke back up finding out you had some strange virus that helped keep you alive?"
"... Yes."
"And then... tentacles, and-"
"Yes."
"-Getting torn apart..."
"YES." I was starting to get more frustrated with repeating myself, here...
"And this weird super chair..."
"Ugh... Yes." I grit my teeth, revealing my fangs as the surge grew stronger.
"And this cute little moth fella..." He carefully prodded a hoof at the moth on my shoulder, to which it flapped its wings at him.
He quickly backed off. "Okay, okay... No touching..." He turned back to me, studying my muzzle. "But... then these fangs..." He paused as he stared silently for a long moment. "I mean... don't get me wrong, I like it. Just... It's all so... weird."
"Yep."
Shadow looked down at his bowl of noodles, before speaking softer. "I'm sorry about what happened to Tezu and Blaze... They were really nice to me."
I took a swig of beer before nodding. "Me too..." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as guilt started to wake up again within me once more. Just another curse on my conscious that I had to bear... Time to change the topic... "So, how are things in general?"
"Hm?" He regarded me a moment, eyes wide. "Oh. Well, Fester's raiders have been launching attacks on us lately. Ever since we stopped sending shipments to Hoofington, we've been getting attacked on a frequent basis. I've been sleeping with a gun underneath my pillow now."
"Wise move."
He nodded. "Mhm!" He picked up his fork with his magic and spun it around within the bowl, gathering up some noodles before sticking it in his mouth.
"So, apparently you met a mare called Snow Star before. Correct?"
He chewed for a moment before swallowing, then thought to himself. "Snow Star... Snow Star... Wait... You mean pregnant mare? No cutiemark? White coat?"
"Yep. That's the one."
"Yeah, I remember her! Why?"
"She was my girlfriend."
"Oh!" He grinned for a moment, before sudden realization struck. "Wait... You mean... she was pregnant with...?"
I nodded. "My child."
"Damn..." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly for a moment. "Well, last I saw of her, she seemed well. That was years ago, though. She really wanted to go east. Kept talking about it. Just felt like she had to get away from where she was."
"Can't say I blame her." I replied. "I'm about to be going east to find her. Once the sun goes down, we're back on the road."
"Well..." Shadow started. "I wish you the best of luck, Charger. Seriously."
"Thanks. Celestia knows I'm gonna need it. Got a few problems trying to step on my tail as it is."
"Sounds like it, what with this Titan and..." He leaned closer and put a hoof to the corner of his mouth, as if he expected other ponies in the area to try and read his lips. "Those two other you's roaming around..."
I bit my lip nervously as I nodded. White Noise was already something I was worried about. But now the idea of me being a synth was running around in my head. Hollow claimed I wasn't, but I still had doubts... The Coarser was just icing on the cake...
"Whoa..." Shadow muttered as he leaned to the side a little, looking past me. I noticed everyone else was starting to turn their attention to the same direction. "It's one thing to hear it. It's an entirely different thing to see it..."
I turned around to see Hollow walking up to our table from the road; her eyes fixated on me alone. Her armor was still off, and that attracted more attention than I was comfortable with.
"Show's over, boys." She called out as she looked around at the ponies and griffins in the area, stopping at our table just outside the food stand. "Take your hard-ons elsewhere."
Still, they all stood there, murmuring to each other as they studied her from afar.
"Now." She said in a more strict tone. At that exact moment, her eyes started to glow red. A trick of the light, perhaps?
At once, everyone disbanded or resumed minding their own business again, all while occasionally glancing over their shoulder at the trio.
She turned to my friend and cracked a smile. "Shadowhoof. My name is Hollow." She reached a hoof out, to which he hesitantly shook it. "I've heard quite a bit about you."
"Y-you know about me?" He asked in total dumb-struck bafflement.
"It's my job to know things." She replied with that soft smirk, before taking a seat.
"What brings you around these parts?" I asked as I brought a beer to my lips. I tilted the neck and began drinking.
"I have eyes in the skies, patrolling the area around Virtue. If something is amiss, I'll know before anyone else."
"Smart thinking."
She nodded once to me, before cutting a portion of my steak into a bite sized chunk with a knife. She tossed it in her mouth and started chewing.
"How's your side feeling?"
"Like it just got ripped open by explosive buckshot." She replied simply.
"I'm sorry about that..." I murmured as my ears wilted. "I didn't want anyone to get hurt."
"Not your fault." She shrugged. "I mean, not directly anyways." She glanced at Shadow. "Does he know about it?"
"You mean Charger's Coarser?" Shadow asked quietly with a nervous look etched on his face. "Kinda wish I didn't. Synths give me nightmares."
"Eh." She shrugged and cut another piece of steak off, before tossing it in her mouth. "I've seen worse. Hard not to be scared of what you don't understand, though."
"What's up with the horn?" He asked aloud, keeping his eyes glued to it all the while.
"What do you think is up with it?" She raised a brow at him, to which he replied.
"I don't know. That's why I'm asking."
She shrugged a third time with a cocky smile growing on her face. "Huh. Guess we'll never know."
"Hey, Shadow..."
"Yeah?" He turned to me with a soft curl of his lips.
"Can Hollow and I have the table? I need to talk to her."
"Of course." He sat up and carefully walked away, keeping the noodles close via his magic.
"What's up?" Hollow asked as she folded her forehooves underneath her chin, using her arms to support the weight of her head.
"Why did you have memory orbs of Happy and Petiole? And the battery, for instance?"
"Ah... yes." She looked up at the sky for a moment. "I have a ton more, but I kept those ones separate from the others, because they fascinated me the most. I started making a hobby of collecting fragments of the past. Seeing what there was to see. Knowing what there was to know. Most of the ones I've collected were more for fun than anything else. Intimacies between partners and stuff like that."
A soft blush appeared on my cheeks as I averted my gaze from hers. "Oh..."
"Feel free to keep the ones you've looked through. You'll probably have more use of them than I ever will."
I started cutting through my steak again. "Thanks, Hollow."
"Don't mention it." She replied as she smiled faintly, before reaching to take another chunk from my steak.
I bapped her hoof in annoyance, but she struck my hoof twice as hard, before quickly snatching the piece of meat and tossing it into her mouth.
I sighed as I stared at her. "You can just buy your own, you know."
"You can, too... you know." Her smile widened just a little. "I got my side blown open. I earned a free steak." She folded her forehooves underneath her chin again as she gave me a pleased grin, gazing into my eyes. "I earned a free date, seeing as I risked my life to save you."
I rolled my eyes and smiled back. "Alright, you win..." I turned to the stand and waved the owner over.


(((((((◉)))))))


After Hollow and I finished our meal, we parted ways. She was going to go back on scouting duty. I was going back to the motel.
As I began to make my way back, however, I bumped into the one and only Omegas as he turned a corner. He turned to me slowly, staring quietly for a long moment behind that emotionless full head helmet of his.
"So it's true what I've been hearing." He started in his raspy voice that sent shivers through my body. "You really are back."
I shrugged with a small smile growing on my lips as I regarded him.
"I thought I told you to leave."
I sighed and nodded. "Wasn't my intention to come back here."
"Then leave."
"We can't. Not yet."
"Why?"
"I'm still being pursued by my former chapter. We barely made it out alive." I looked around my body for a moment, before looking back up at him. "I don't know where, but apparently I have a chip inside me that they've been using to track my location."
"So you're bringing them here? We already have enough problems."
"I don't think they're focused on Virtue." I said in quick defense. "They want me. They want what I have. We'll be long gone by the time they get anywhere close to this place. We just need to wait here until night."
Omegas sent the horrifying rattle of his sigh to my ears, causing my skin to crawl. "What exactly is your plan?"
"I'm thinking by nightfall, we teleport back to where our last encounter was, then continue on hoof to the east."
"East?"
I nodded. "I'm trying to find somepony. If my plan works, it'll be putting a distance between the rangers and my team, if they're making their way here now. Nothing short of an advantage."
"Hm..." He stared silently for a moment. Seriously, what was it with ghouls in staring in cold, dead silence? It was starting to get creepy... "Alright. Fine. By nightfall, you and your team are gone."
Suddenly, at that exact moment, I felt something behind me. A presence. Something wrong...
I turned around to the southeast. There were voices... Voices I couldn't understand. Whispering, hissing, snarling... in tongues my mind couldn't translate.
I was drawn to them...
One step forward, and I felt welcomed... despite feeling a danger in that direction.
Wisps of black smoke and shadows crawled into the corners of my vision, making their way to the center.
There was nothing there. Just a building across a road of mud. Ponies walking through the marketplace. Security keeping others safe and patrolling with their rifles at the ready for anything.
There was nothing there, but... why did I feel like something was...?
"Charger." Omegas said aloud, his guttural tone snapping me back into reality. The smoke and shadows quickly retreated from whence they came, and not even a second later, my vision was back to normal.
I spun my head around over my shoulder, looking back at him as my mouth hung open a little. My right forehoof was raised off the ground, and my heart was pounding rapidly.
It came to my attention that I had crossed the road entirely, as he was on the other side, still standing where I once was.
"Y-yeah...?"
"What are you doing?"
"N..." I looked around my surroundings, but whenever I turned my head towards the southeast, the voices started whispering again. I spun my head back to him, trying to cancel them out. "Nothing. I'm just... tired."
That wasn't a lie, either. I really was tired...
As for what I was doing? I wasn't entirely sure... But I had mixed feelings about it. I didn't understand. And so I was scared. Not knowing scared me...
"I'm gonna get some shut eye before I head out. I had a rough night." I shook my head and rubbed my temple with the tip of my hoof as I kept my eyes on the ground. I could still hear the voices. But they were faint. So long as I didn't look toward the southeast, I'd be okay... Right?
... Right...?


(((((((◉)))))))


The land was dark; the air, putrid. The earth was cracked, dried out, and torn. There was no sign of vegetation anywhere.
A strong gust of wind blew past me.
A haunted choir sang out to me in the distance; each one with it's own pitch. Yet, at the same time, they all spoke the same note.
A note where fear and agony became one.
I turned around to face the vortex. But it wasn't close this time. It was nearly touching the horizon, oddly enough. And something else was happening...
There was a pillar of white light shooting out from the ground beneath it; spreading out in all directions, the closer it was to the surface. Within that cone of light was a darkness that spread out gradually, as if trying to rip into this world and rape it.
"It is time, father."
I jumped to my left, looking to my right to see White Noise standing there, watching the show in the distance. She turned to me with a calm smile, watching me behind those static eyes.
"You know what needs to be done."
I turned back to the vortex in the distance, staring in wonder.
"What needs to be done...?"


(((((((◉)))))))


I shot up, looking around in a panic.
I was still in the motel room. Onyx was looking at me with concern in her eyes again.
Hollow was wiping her rifle down with a cloth. My moth was on the lampshade beside me, watching me silently.
I wasn't sure where everyone else was, though.
"Good." Hollow said, keeping her eyes locked on her weapon. "You're finally awake. We should have been gone 20 minutes ago."
"Make that thirty." The raspy, guttural ghoul voice of Omegas said as he stepped in from the entrance, looking at me first.
"Yeah, yeah... Sorry... Just..." I shook my head and looked down.
"I've been trying to wake you up for a while now." Hollow stated. "Eventually, I just gave up. Any longer than an hour, and I would have just teleported us there with you over Thorne's shoulder."
I got up and shook myself, before stretching. I started to slip into my armor. "Well, I'm awake now. Let's..." I paused as I started to stare at the exit of the motel room. Past Omegas... Past the buildings... Past Virtue and across the landscapes...
"Let's..."
The voices grew louder. Whispering, hissing, growling with savage intent... And they wanted me... They were waiting...
I started to step forward, but before I could take that step into the unknown, swayed by the siren's song, a hoof rested on my shoulder, and the voices recoiled.
I looked down at my shoulder, then moved my eyes up along the light tan hoof, before meeting Onyx's concerned expression.
"You okay...?" She asked tenderly.
"Y-yeah..." I forced a chuckle and nodded. "Just need to gather my thoughts is all." I turned to Omegas, who continued to stare quietly. The voices started again, so I quickly shifted my eyes to Hollow. "Shall we?"
She nodded. "Thought you'd never ask." With that, she stood up and folded the rifle in its compartment, heading for the exit. "The others are waiting at the outskirts."


(((((((◉)))))))


In a flash of Scope's magic and the feeling of my body being warped across the land mass, we were back at the raider camp I had... consumed.
Scope kicked a piece of charred wood away from his forehoof as he looked around. "Scorched Equus Policy?"
I nodded as I studied my surroundings. The structures were burnt and torn down. The fences were obliterated, and piles of rubble sat around where the shanty houses once were. The corpses that were left behind had been turned to red, glowing ash, and their armor and weapons were nowhere to be seen.
"Yep..."
"Guess you weren't kidding about them destroying everything..." He continued to study the scenery for a moment.
"Well, if it isn't my lil' bro..."
I spun around to see Firebright standing before me. Some of my group spun around as well, guns ready, but Hollow was calm in her movements. She didn't arm up.
"What are you doing here?" I asked aloud, keeping my eyes locked on her visor as my hoof crackled just from her presence alone.
"I figured you'd be back. Titan went to go after you while I stayed here. Guess I was right, after all."
"So, what? You're just gonna kill me now?"
She chuckled. "Only if you continue making this difficult."
"Something tells me you can't." I smirked as I stepped forward. She began backing up with each step I took. "You know as well as I that the UPC has some sort of luck charm to it. Trying to kill me would only backfire. It happened outside of Saddle on the highway, and it happened in the raider camp not long after that. So quit it with the bullfuckery and piss off, Fire. I've had it with you."
"Fire...?" Thorne tilted her head at her. "Wait..." She stepped forward. "Firebright...?"
She turned her head to Thorne. "And you are?"
A look of sorrow grew on her features as tears welled up in her eyes. "Fire... I'm... I'm your mother..."
WAIT, WHAT!?
My jaw dropped as I stared from one to the other. My rage died completely. All hostilities and aggressions were gone.
"W-what? Bullshit." Fire said. "I don't even know you. My parents are dead. Stand aside, or I'll kill you."
Thorne backed up a bit as she sighed. "It makes sense they wouldn't tell you the truth... I left when you were little."
"Shut up."
"They lied to Charger. What makes you think they didn't feed you your own set of lies?"
"S-shut up! No!" She backed up. "I'll kill you!"
"Thorne..."
She looked over at me with a sad smile on her face.
"A-are you...?" For a moment, I began to approach her.
Was she my mother...?
She shook her head. "It's... complicated..." She turned back to Fire quickly. "I gave birth to you. I took care of you when I was able..."
"You... You shut the fuck up!"
"I wanted to take you with me, but I didn't get the chance... They were threatening to kill me, and I didn't have a shot at getting to you..."
Fire stared in dead silence from a distance.
"I'm sorry... I had to leave..."
She stood there for a long while, before her helmet hissed air through the ventilation, and she slipped her head out from it. She dropped the helmet before her, glaring down at the piece of armor. Her black mane curtained over one eye as her purple eyes darted at her and I. The flamer at her side shut down.
"Fire..." Thorne stepped forward. My sister held her ground. "You've been living a lie, too... It's time to wake up..."
"I'd rather see her dead..." I said as my anger began to boil once again. "She raped me. She sent Snow Star out here on her own while she was pregnant. She kept things from me. Like the fucking microchip they've been using to track me..." My hoof burst with hot red energy as I grit my teeth, glaring at her. I pounded my hoof against my skull. "And the fucking unicorn horn!"
Fire glared back at me. "Well, maybe your horn-head of a mom shouldn't have been fucking around like the slut-bag she was!"
"FUCK. YOU!" Blinded now by pure, unadulterated rage, I charged forward. The boiling water had spilled over, and now someone was getting burnt.
Just as I lunged for her, the flamer was back online, and the minigun barrel began to spin to life.
With a raised hoof, I descended atop her, ready to strike. Just as I was about to make an impact, several rounds from her minigun tore through my right forehoof. Her flamer sent a torrent of fire up at me, but her aim was off, as she didn't have enough time for an accurate shot.
Black oil and shadows spilled from my hoof as I collapsed atop her, striking my target. I felt something from my hoof slide along her cheek.
We both fell to the ground, and as I began to recover, I noticed four sets of tendrils had slid out from my wounds. But they weren't acting as tendrils, but instead, claws...
... And I was able to control them...
I looked down at them for a moment as Fire got back up on her hooves, glaring at me with murderous intent. A deep cut had formed on her cheek, and blood spilled out, trickling down her face and staining her coat.
"Both of you, stop!" Thorne shouted.
"STAY OUT OF THIS!" I screamed, snapping a look at her. "SHE'S HAD THIS COMING FOR A LONG WHILE NOW!" I tested my new claws with a clench.
The longer I stared at Fire, the more the voices started to grow louder. The whispers were becoming deafening. I wanted to stop everything I was doing and meet the voices... Be with them...
I shook my head as I groaned. "Fuck, get out! Get out of my fucking head!" I covered my head with the hoof that bore the claws.
The voices of my friends and my sister were drowned out and muffled. The voices of the unknown were taking hold.
I looked back up at Firebright as she kept her guns on me, scowling. She was saying something, but I couldn't understand.
Thorne got between us, saying something aloud. But I couldn't hear her...
I turned away, to which the voices started to fade.
I kept my eyes on the burning wreckage of the former camp for a moment, before I closed my eyes, trying to find my inner peace. It was so far away...
"I'm leaving..." I finally said, giving my all to ignore the hate in my heart. "You know the truth now, Fire. What you do with that truth is up to you."
There was a long moment of silence among the group, before she finally responded. "Fuck off... All of you..."
"Let's go..." I said under my breath as I started east. I didn't want to see her anymore. I didn't want her around me. After everything she did to me, I wanted to destroy her. Swallowing the need for revenge was taking its toll on me...
I needed a drink...
As my team followed, through all the faint whispers and snarls of the demons in my head, I heard Fire say something to herself. Whether it was to be heard by others, or just herself, I wasn't sure.
"What the fuck do I do now...?"


(((((((◉)))))))


Our trek throughout the night was made in silence, for the majority. None of us really had anything to say, so we kept to ourselves.
Every so often, the wasteland would throw something at us. A bloatsprite, radhog, radroach... Anything of that nature.
Though, at one point, we had stumbled upon a feral ghoul roaming around. Hollow took care of that.
By dawn's early light, we were coming across a small town that looked as if it hadn't seen any real company for years. Then again, I've been fooled before. I still kept my guard up.
My insides growled with the desire for nourishment the entire way, but I wasn't going to consume anyone... Not now. Because of my choice, the claws remained a part of my hoof.
I could feel through them, as if they had always been a part of me. I had sensation to touch with this new addition. I didn't understand why I was able to control these ones specifically, though. Just another unanswered question...
On the bright side, I wasn't killing any of my friends for consumption.
Still though, many of them kept their distance from me. The only one that dared to get close was Hollow.
The voices were being held back, so long as I didn't look in the general area around the west. The voices were leading to something. Something stationary. That much, I gathered. But I wasn't gonna try and find out.
As the team continued on towards the town, I stopped for a moment to pull out the compass. Maybe I couldn't find Snow Star this way, but I was at least able to find out if Titan was close or not. I imagined he was already on his way here.
The needle pointed west exactly. It wasn't moving, but I was sure he was after me.
I looked back up at the group. "We shouldn't rest."
The lot of them looked back at me, clearly annoyed with that statement. They were exhausted. So was I, but we had the advantage. I wanted to keep that for as long as I could. Titan was going to gain on us, no matter what. He was larger, so the distance would be shorter for him.
"Charger is right." Hollow stated as she regarded me coolly, before turning to the others. "Resting right now is a bad idea." She turned to the town as I approached her; narrowing her eyes as she seemed to visually scan the area. Shortly after, did she point a hoof at the abandoned set of buildings and pre war businesses. "There's a wagon over there. It looks to be in moderate shape. We get that up and moving, and we can take turns pulling it." She turned to me with a half smile. "You and me. Sound good?"
I nodded. "Of course."
"I'll scan the perimeter." Onyx said as she spread her wings. With that, she lifted herself off the ground and left the group, circling the outskirts of the town.
As we approached, I walked alongside Hollow. "Is it safe in there?"
"There's a few ferals, but nothing we can't handle. Considering what we went through..." She cracked a smile and nudged my flank with her own. "We'll be okay. Just keep your guard up. All of you."
I nodded before checking the mag in my gun. Full. Good.
I slapped it back in and cocked the rifle, bringing it in front of me and keeping my mouth on the bit.
"Could use an outlet anyways..." I muttered.
I looked over at Thorne shortly after, now that my mind was back on Firebright. "Sooo..."
"Sorry, Charger..." She said quietly, keeping her eyes down. "I guess now's as good a time as any to say that I've kinda been... keeping things from you."
"Yeah, that's starting to become a theme here." I deadpanned, taking my mouth off the bit.
"I have a good reason, though... And when I'm ready, I'll explain it to you... But for now..." She sighed and looked away. "Can we just... put it behind us?"
I shrugged in response, then looked ahead once more. "Sure."
"I'm sorry, Charger..."
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "Sure you are..."
Inner peace... Inner peace...
"Can you at least tell me who my dad is?"
She bit her lip nervously when I looked back at her, before shaking her head. "No. Someday, maybe. But right now...? No. I mean, fuck... I don't even really know who your biological dad is. It's a bit more... complicated..."
I rolled my eyes at her response. Typical...
Upon entering the town, I noticed a lot of the buildings had suffered through explosions or fire. Windows were either shattered or stained with blood. It wasn't red anymore...
Some of the buildings looked as if they had been boarded up or barricaded with furniture, but whatever had attacked here managed to break through anyways.
There were a few bodies lying ahead. Patches of hide were missing, large chunks of mane had fallen out... Wrinkled, grotesque hides... I knew that look.
I turned to my party and put a hoof to my lips. They nodded silently to me, and together, we warily moved through the dead street, further into the town.
Onyx was in the distance, gliding through the sky like a vulture circling its prey.
The ground was littered with spent shell casings and depleted energy cells, so each step had to be made carefully, as to not kick one by accident and have it clatter along the cracked asphalt.
With great caution, I stepped up to one of the ferals, looked at my group as they positioned themselves over the other two, then aimed my rifle down at the corpse's head, before biting down on the bit.
It screeched for a very brief moment, as its rotted brain spilled from its dome, and before the other two could react, they too, were put down.
"Guess that takes care of..." I paused as I looked at Hollow. My E.F.S. was displaying a lot of reds...
A series of rampant hoofsteps began their approach as the reds began to appear all around us, boxing us in.
Snarls and growls grew in volume...
I turned my attention to Hollow directly as she looked as concerned as the rest of the party. "I thought you said there were only a few!"
"I..." She stopped as she spun around in circles, then looked back at me. "Something must be wrong with my augments..."
My group aimed their weapons around frantically as the sounds trapped us. Before I knew it, Onyx was by my side.
"We gotta get out of here." She blurted. "You have an entire town on you!"
I spun around quickly, trying to find the best way out of this mess. Time was running out.
My eyes laid upon a pawn shop across the street from where we were. I couldn't tell if there were ferals in the building or around it, but it seemed like the safest option, compared to everything else; which consisted of diners, destroyed houses, or general good stores.
"This way!" I shouted as I charged for the pawn shop. Without question, my team followed.
As we ran for the entrance, I saw ferals stumbling into view around the corners of the buildings around us. By the dozens...
I stopped beside the double doors, spun around and opened fire at the closest ones while my friends ran in.
A stream of lead peppered through their hides and chewed into them as they closed in. A few had dropped far before they could get to any of us.
"Charger, get in here!" Onyx called out from inside. I took a quick glance to my surroundings to find I was completely closed off from running anywhere else.
With haste, I stepped inside, spun around, closed the door for whatever good that did, and brought the metal fencing down over the windows and exit. I didn't have a key to lock it to the ground, but it wasn't like the ferals were gonna lift it back up. They were dangerous, but they weren't intelligent.
I backed away as they slammed against the door and broken windows, trying to get in.
Scope kept his rifle on the entrance as a precaution, but he seemed rather calm about what was happening.
"Quick thinking." Thorne said as she regarded me. She turned to Onyx soon after. "My battery went out. Replace it?"
She nodded, before digging into her saddle bags for a new core.
"Now we just need to figure out how to get out of here..." Thorne muttered under her breath.
"There's a rooftop access to this place." Onyx replied.
"Good. Worst case scenario, we can drop back down on the street on the other end of the building."
Onyx slid the depleted core out from her back, before inserting a new one. At once, Thorne backed away from the ferals on the other side of the metal fencing.
"That's not gonna hold forever." Scope said as he kept his gun locked on them.
I nodded. "Let's get to the roof."
"From what I saw, it should be in the back." Onyx filled in, catching up to my side. It was a surprise to see her sticking close to me, considering she had concerns prior to all this.
As we made our way past the checkout, I spotted a few boxes of shotgun shells, rifle and pistol ammo. I quickly snagged those and continued on my way.
Behind the counter was a separate room that had been broken into. A while back, presumably.
Metal bars sealed the room off from the rest of the shop where windows would have been, though that didn't seem to really stop anyone. The metal door had been blown off its hinges, suggesting brute force had been applied.
I saw gun racks within, all of which had been emptied. There was nothing of value there.
Upon entering the room, I caught sight of a door on the far end, with a sign that read 'ROOF ACCESS.'
Perfect.
I kicked the door open, aiming my rifle up the stairwell to find it was empty.
Hastily, I backed away and turned to my friends.
"Alright, everyone get up!" I kept my gun aimed towards the open doorway that led to the rest of the store.
One by one, in a single file line, they ran up.
I could hear the ferals pushing against the metal fencing I had rolled down. It rattled violently as they fought to get in.
Once my teams had all gotten inside, I backed up into the stairwell, closing the door behind me. From there, I spun around and ran up after them.
I was not going to let this be another apartment heist... I couldn't...
Upon getting to the roof, I slammed the metal door shut.
It became evident that the entire town was now awake. Ghouls roamed the streets. There weren't as many as there were back in Portlandia, but there was definitely enough for it to be a problem.
The voices grew louder as I instinctively turned to look at my entire surroundings. I quickly recoiled against the door from that, before they grabbed me again, in attempts to pull me closer to them.
"Scope..." I murmured under my breath, feeling less control over myself. "S-Scope!" I shook my head, keeping my head away from him, as he was in the same direction as the voices.
"Yeah, what?"
"How many can you teleport without getting burnt out?"
"A few, myself included."
"Hollow, where's the wagon at?"
She scanned the area for a bit, before turning back to me. "Just a few blocks away."
"Alright. Scope, you take Hollow and Thorne over to the wagon and get it prepped. Onyx and I will focus the ghouls elsewhere."
"What? Why me?" She asked in protest.
"Because you're a pegasus and I haven't seen one feral pegasi here. So you're safe. And I can't die from these. It's out of harm's way for the others."
She thought for a moment, before nodding. "Alright, good point."
Scope turned to Thorne and Hollow, before the three of them vanished. A moment later, I caught a glimpse of them appear about a block over, atop one of the other buildings. He turned to me and gave a brief salute, before the lot of them proceeded downstairs.
"Can you lift me up?" I asked, glancing at Onyx for a moment, before averting my attention from her direction. Why did everyone have to be on my right...? Damn voices...
"L-lift you?" She balked. "That was more Thunder's thing. I don't exercise!"
"Alright, alright. Fine." I shook my head in frustration. My hoof showed that, and she backed up a few steps.
"Sorry..." I muttered. "Okay, just fly to the front of the building, get their attention. I'll go around and gather any strays."
"On it." She smirked. "Be safe, Charger."
"You too, Onyx..." I replied, before jumping down to the streets below.
My moth flew ahead of me, making its way towards some of the ferals that moved in. I watched as it struck the chest of one of them, and in a moment, disappeared into a bloody hole it had made.
A few seconds after, it had dropped to the ground, motionless. It's eye burst open, to which the moth flew out, heading for another victim to its cause.
I checked the surrounding area to see a lot of the ferals were focused on my presence. I looked down at my claws as I clenched it, testing my control again. Everything seemed to be working...
I looked back up at the ferals that closed in from the west. Running after me now.
The voices grew louder, but I did what I could to shut them out. Fight them as I was about to fight the ferals before me.
Here we go...
I charged for them as my hoof began to crackle more noticeably.
I made quick peeks to what was ahead of me, before looking either to the side or to the ground, so that the voices would stay silenced.
Just as the first one was about to make it's lunge, I leapt for it, holding my claws overhead as I came down on the monster.
In one slash, the feral's face was split in two; brain, chipped skull, and bits of eye and tongue spilling out from the gash. I proceeded for the next ghoul before I could watch my first victim fall to the ground.
As I side swiped into my next target's head, one moved in on my right, trying to gnaw on my shoulder. Another moved in on my left in a broken canter.
Had it not been for the barding, I would have had a chunk of flesh missing, and a ton of tentacles to follow.
I hastily grabbed the next one by the throat, digging my claws into the rotten meat. I lifted it off the ground as it thrashed around, waving its hooves in attempt to getting at me.
I threw it to the side towards the one that was closing in on me at an alarming rate, causing it to fall on its side.
As the two of them began getting back up, I peppered them both with a storm of hot lead, before charging forward again. The group on my six was closing in, and the moth could only take one on at a time.
As I ran forward, I started clearing a path ahead; doing my best to take shots to the heads of my targets. Considering I was on the run while I fired, many of them were misses.
In my frustration, I entered my SATs and watched as the world around me moved at a snail's pace.
My percentages for headshots were still rather slim, but I had better chances hitting their legs. The chances I had however, weren't where I wanted them to be, but the latter was better than the former.
I aimed for the ghoul to my left, striking its left forehoof a few times.
It began to trip over its own canter, to which I quickly diverted my attention to the one closest to my right, ahead of me. It was just about to close my exit off.
I aimed down the sight as I repeatedly put shots into the ground around it. A couple of those shots had hit their target, but it wasn't enough to take it down.
My SATs were spent, and the world began to speed up again.
As I ran for the feral ahead of me, it lunged for the kill.
I jumped to my left, to which it stumbled and rolled along the ground behind me. As it started to get back up, I pounded my rear hoof against its back, sending an electrical blast to course through its body as the sound of thunder rolled across the land. It's hide caught fire as it writhed around, burning to a crisp.
That's for wasting my ammo!
With that, I proceeded for the west, making sure the growing number of ferals chased after me.


(((((((◉)))))))


With a swing of my chair, a feral dropped before me in pieces; forehooves and head separated from the body.
Before I could turn to divert my attention to the next, teeth sank into my bare neck. Crying out, I tried pulling away. But they sank in deeper, before tearing away at a nice big chunk of flesh.
Wrath and agony coursed through me like a flood as I felt my insides begin to move around. Three tendrils shot out from my neck, latching onto the feral's head and pulling it in as it fought with me. Not to pull away, but to get more out of me.
I didn't have control of these ones, however. They worked on their own agenda, as they had always done before.
Hastily, I dropped the chair and dug my claws into its neck, severing it from the rest of its body. I didn't want to fully heal yet. These claws were doing me a huge service.
Not to mention I didn't like the way ferals tasted one bit... Blegh...
As the head morphed in with my wound and melted beneath the skin, the flesh restored, and the wound sealed away as if it had never existed.
I threw the rest of the body off the roof of the building I stood upon, down at the horde of ferals that snarled up at me, trying to get up.
I glared down at them for a moment, before grabbing my chair again.
Hoofsteps ran up the stairwell. A lot, by the sound of it. They must have broken through the limited defenses I was able to put up, before running up here.
I sure wished I had some MCF cells...
I kept my gun aimed at the busted doorframe, ready for the first one to poke its head out.
By twos, they ran out, heading straight for me.
I opened fire, letting out a constant stream of lead. I wasn't concerned about ammo conservation at this moment. Just so long as it did the trick.
Many of them had been dropping at short notice, but even then, it wasn't enough. There were too many coming up, and I was just one pony. Er... kinda.
My gun clicked on empty, and with frustration building up and lack of time to slam another magazine in, I put the rifle to my side and charged forward with two of the chair's legs dragging along beside me. Sparks flew behind it as I ran for the expanding group, and with the first one in reach, I swung it around, leaving two deep gashes along its neck, and severing its fores entirely.
The next one was to my left. My first swing ended with the four spiked legs lodging through its chest.
In a desperate attempt to eat me, it continued to push forward, allowing the blades to travel further through its body.
With very little time on my hooves, I swung the chair away in a spin to my right, before coming back around in a twirl and slicing its head open, along with two others that had the misfortune to get too close.
Petiole was onto something here! Killing ferals was awesome!
I caught a glimpse of one of the ferals dropping in the background, before it's eye burst open. The moth flew out, only to burrow into another target and repeat the process.
With too many on the roof now, I swapped the chair to my left hoof, giving me access to the claws on my right again.
I stabbed them through the eyes of a feral on my right that dared to close in, while stabbing the chair's legs into another, keeping them at bay.
I felt my fingers trace along their brain, before grabbing a hold of it and ripping it through their skull. As they dropped, I tossed it to the side and swung my chair around, throwing the one that had been stabbed by the legs off the roof and back down to the streets.
It was awkward standing on my rear legs like this for so long, and I had to catch myself from falling quite a bit, but damn, was I having a blast!
Grabbing a hold of the chair with both my hoof and claws, I swung the blades around in another spin, splitting four apart across their chest. A fifth moved in as the four fell, to which I gave the mental command for my chair to position the legs to where the tips of the blades all met.
I drove it through, impaling my next target through the neck. As it appeared on the other side, I gave a new order.
At once, the legs spread apart wide, completely extirpating the undead entity as its neck became nothing more than mutilated strips of meat, hanging on the bottom of a decapitated head like old, worn linens.
As more came for me, I slammed the rear legs of the chair against the ground while holding my claw out to the side, ready to dig in. A bloodlust filled my heart as I revealed my fangs to them in a murderous grin. My hoof crackled violently; but it was more than welcoming to me.
Just as my next victim came forth, I swung my chair around, ready to take another... Life? Unlife?
I was right there, ready to add another point to my kill count.
... And then my body warped.
I appeared in the center of a four-way intersection, falling on my ass, looking up at the sky.
I quickly recovered on four hooves, looking at my group as they looked back at me.
"What were you doing?" Scope asked with a raised brow.
"Having fun, before you ruined it for me." I replied in a cold tone as my hoof flared a bit.
He rolled his eyes, before turning to Hollow.
Thorne's armor was left open, and I just noticed she was underneath a wagon that seemed to be in moderate shape.
"I saw you in action." Hollow stated, nodding to me. "You were good. But you need to work on your balance. Perhaps when we're not running for our lives, we can practice some Achu and Roamani fighting techniques." She looked down at my claws for a moment, before meeting my eyes again; this time with a smile. "You seem to have some Human techniques already going well for you. With extra steps, no less."
"Human...?" I tilted my head to the side, raising a brow. "What's that?"
She shrugged with that same smile. "Beats me."
Where did I hear that word before...? Human... I swear, I've heard it before...
Human... Huuuuman... Hooooooman...
Wait...
My first visit in the battery, when Tuner had a drink in his apartment!
I still didn't know what a Human was, though.
"Hey... do... do any of you feel that...?" Thorne asked as she stayed beneath the wagon, frozen in place.
Hollow looked down for a moment. In that time, I began to feel something tremble beneath the surface of the asphalt. Something was moving...
She raised up on her rears, getting into a stance. I brought my chair to attention, and Scope levitated his rifle. Onyx readied her battle saddle.
Thorne was just about to crawl out from underneath the wagon, but Hollow put a rear hoof down on her navel.
"Gonna need you to stay down there and fix it up. Stat."
"U-uh, oka-"
Asphalt burst up between the lot of us in a cloud, as if an artillery shell just struck.
As we all recovered back on our hooves, save for Thorne, we took notice in the source of what may have caused this whole place to go feral...
A radscorpion twice the size of the wagon crawled out from the ground.
A glowing radscorpion...
Its green haze shined around it, and my pipbuck clicked aggressively just from the proximity alone.
Scope's rifle fired first, before I heard Onyx's lasers. She flew up overhead, before dive bombing, unleashing a barrage of red death against its armored body.
As it charged for the wagon, Hollow ran on all fours, before leaping onto its stinger and swinging around it in an almost exotic movement; like a dance.
It diverted its attention to her in trying to swing her off of its stinger.
I reached into my saddle bags for a new magazine while I still had time to do so, but I caught a hold of something else instead...
I had completely forgotten about these...
I pulled out two lemons from my saddle bags. The very last ones...
Hollow beat against the top of the stinger with her forehooves continuously as she grit her teeth, glaring down at the beast. Her eyes were glowing red. It wasn't a trick of the light...
Scope put in shots to its eyes from a distance, while Onyx made fly-bys.
The green glow around its form began to glow brighter as it stood there, paying no mind to the barrage it was receiving.
I began to feel sicker as my pipbuck screamed at me in levels I'd never heard before. Not even from the glowing feral back in the apartment heist!
I collapsed on my stomach as black dripped from my lips. Despite my pain and discomfort, I was more concerned for my friends...
Hollow slid down the tail, before falling at its rear, gasping, panting, and then retching.
Onyx flew head first into the side of a building, before crashing to the ground, and Scope was in the same situation as I. Only his blood was normal.
A wave of green energy washed over the entire vicinity, before disappearing.
I was already in a critical state of radiation poisoning, according to my pipbuck. Which meant they all were, too...
My friends were dying...
They were all out here because of me...
I had to do something...
As it began to turn towards Hollow and finish her off, I shoved all that pain behind me... I had to...
I forced myself up. No matter how bad I wanted to lie there and not move, I couldn't allow it.
My legs were weak. They trembled underneath my weight as I lifted myself up off the ground.
My claws wrapped around one of the lemons before I raised my arm and threw with all the strength I could muster.
Upon contact, a burst of acid washed over the top right half of the creature, eating away at the reinforced exo skeleton on its legs and body.
It recoiled a bit, before turning to me. From there, it began to make its way for new prey.
"Bring it!" I shouted as black dripped from my lips, nostrils, eyes, and ears. I tightened my grip around the last lemon I had at my disposal and chucked it.
It struck it right in the center of its eyes...
And that was it.
It didn't go off.
There was no explosion of lethal citrus...
Oh, you've gotta be fucking kidding me...
THAT WAS A NORMAL LEMON!?
It continued to make its way forward, ready to split me apart.
Just as one of its pincers were ready to snip me along the middle, there was one more shot.
A single bullet tore through all four of its right legs, causing it to land on bleeding stumps as it hissed at me. Its pincers worked tirelessly while its stinger stabbed at the ground repeatedly, trying to get to me. I ran around its mass, tripping over my hooves a bit as I made my way over to my friends.
Scope was smiling faintly at me from afar as his rifle collapsed.
I went to the closest first.
Hollow was still breathing, but not by much.
I reached into my bags and pulled out a pouch, before shoving the contents down her throat. She gagged and coughed a bit of it up, but swallowed what she could, all the same.
"Take care of the others!" I shouted as I gave her the rest of my stock. From there, I ran back to the front of the radscorpion. As it tried to snip at me again, I ducked underneath its arm and stopped at its eyes, looking deep into them.
I caught sight of the stinger coming down on me, causing me to jump back.
Me geigercounter was saying I was well past my limits. I felt like total shit, but I was still breathing. If I was normal on the inside, I would have been dead for sure. I guess radiation sickness didn't have a lethal effect on me. Just made me physically feel like crap.
I grabbed a hold of the chair to my left and came back to its eyes, staring deep into them with sadistic intent.
The stinger came back down, but I deflected it with the chair, keeping it up so that it couldn't hit me.
My claws grabbed a hold of its stinger as I inched closer, lowering the chair. I squeezed it with all the strength I had left. I wanted it to hurt.
I didn't care anymore that my pipbuck was clicking from the exposure. I was getting my message across.
"Don't. Hurt. My. Friends."
With that, I slammed the chair against its eyes. Over and over again, I slashed at its eyes, screaming in anger with every swing I took. I was exerted. Fatigued. I was putting in an excessive amount of effort just to do this. But I was going to make an example out of the scorpion as to why it wasn't wise to fuck with me or my friends...
I was going to let it live. Death was merciful.
But it wasn't going to walk again. It wasn't going to hurt anyone else again. It wasn't going to see again.
I was going to be its demon, embedded in its mind until it finally met its end...
It fucked with the wrong pony.
I made sure the last thing it was ever going to see was me...
> Channel 002.5; ... Surveillance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Get up without my permission, I'll blast your ass so far through your head, it'll turn the moon cherry pie red."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

An upbeat rhythm emitted from my pipbuck as I pulled the wagon behind me in a steady trot. For the first time in a long time, I felt cheerful. My friends were alive and resting, and I was on the way to completing the task I had planned for nine years.
And so, in my cheerfulness, I began to sing along with the music.
"Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride! Nobody gonna slow me down! Oh no! I got to keep on movin'! Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride! I'm runnin' and I won't touch ground! Oh no! I got to keep on movin'!"
Looking behind me, I saw Hollow smiling with a half empty Rad-Away pouch in her hooves. Everypony else was either facehoofing, glaring up at the sky, or giving me flat expressions.
I shrugged and turned back to the road ahead, before Hollow started singing the next verse of the song. Having her join in made me smile brighter.
"You're on the road and now you pray it lasts. The road behind was rocky. But now you're feeling cocky. You look at me and you see your past. Is that the reason you're runnin' so fast? And he said..."
Together, we sang the next part.
"Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride! Nobody gonna slow me down! Oh no! I got to keep on movin'! Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride! I'm runnin' and I won't touch ground! Oh no! I got to keep on movin'!"
"This next part!" Scope said as the song continued. "It sounds like the song's about ending a relationship! Just seems kinda weird that you're singing this while trying to find-"
I spun my head around as my hoof flared, glaring at Scope. Hollow and I both 'shushed' at him.
He deadpanned a moment, before continuing.
"Seriously?"
"SHH!"
"Fine..." He crossed his forehooves as his ears wilted, turning away from us. "Weirdos..."
I took the next verse as I looked ahead again, trotting happily. Fuck, I felt awesome right now! Music sure did lift the spirits!
"Never let another girl like you work me over. Never let another girl like you drag me under. If I meet another girl like you, I will tell her... Never want another girl like you, OH!"
Once again, Hollow joined me as she jumped off the side of the wagon, trotting beside me to my right. We both smiled at each other as we sang.
"Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride! Nobody gonna slow me down! Oh no! Oh no! I've got to keep on movin'! Ain't nothing gonna break-a my stride! I'm runnin' and I won't touch ground! Oh no! I've got to keep on movin'!"
From that point on, we sang the same verse over and over again as it was delivered in the remainder of the song that played.
As the song came to an end, Hollow and I turned to each other, to which she beamed at me. I never actually saw her smile like that before. She was enjoying this as much as me!
"Okay, one more time..." I said with a hearty grin.
"NO!" Everyone in the back collectively shouted, to which Scope blurted the following.
"You said that the first eight times! I'VE BEEN COUNTING! Please, for Celestia's sake, if not for our sanity, PLAY SOMETHING ELSE!"
"Hey, Break My Stride is catchy." Hollow remarked, looking over her shoulder with a smile as we bumped into each other playfully.
"Yeah, when it's not played on loop!" Thorne protested. "I have a headache! And look at Charger! He has the lyrics memorized now!"
Hollow rolled her eyes, before turning back to me. "Alright, give them something else, Charger." With a nod, I smiled and scrolled through the seemingly neverending list of songs until I tapped my hoof over a random one.
A steady guitar beat mixed with a drum set for a moment, before a soft voice sang out. In that moment, it seemed a bit similar to the song that Para and I had listened to when we were in the tower, back in Saddle. Mare In The Moon, I think it was?
Even though the voice pitch was different, it still had that same feel. I liked it.

Keep in the dark to stay out of the light
Just sleepin' in the sunlight

Keep in the dark to stay out of the light
Just stay in the sunshine

The party grew quiet as we traveled across the land of a dying world. There was no singing from any of us, but from what I could tell, everyone else was taking the music in too.
Something about the song spoke to me. Seemed a lot of the music Tuner introduced me to had that effect.

Turn off your light, let's step into the dark
Sleep away your light shines from here into her
Save your face and keep your hooves firmly pressed into the earth...

I feel relief when night time eventually comes
Talk of all the dreams, you surely had one
Mind your head and keep your hooves firmly pressed into the earth...

The music began to build up gradually, and as the main chorus of the song played out, I felt something inside me. Something sparked. There were no words to describe the feeling as far as I was aware. The best way I could have described it was a bittersweet love to the heart and soul, but there was a pain there, too.

Dream on and sleep won't save you from the night
Drink up darling, dressed in white
A shameful display sewn in velvet and lace
To keep in the dark

Dream on and sleep won't save you from the night
Drink up darling, dressed in white
A colorless string to a colorful bow
That sings in the night and never grows old...

Through the morning, into the night, we stayed on the move. Onyx took out any critters that got too close to the wagon, and Scope kept his eyes on the horizon when Hollow wasn't aiming her rifle up at the sky, looking through her sights.
The two of them acted as my team's scouts and steered us away from any dangers that would keep us stalled.
Thorne assisted Onyx when she could, but for the most part, Onyx had everything under control in the pest control department.
Any rodents that Onyx killed, I made sure to pick up so we could eat on the road. I didn't want to sleep, for fear of the demons that awaited, so I let the biomass morph into me. Apparently that was a good way for me to stay energized. My mind was going to suffer, but that seemed to already be happening. Fuck sleep.
However, in my consumption, the claws finally went away. I was a bit disappointed there, but I was certain I could get them back.
... I hoped.
The only times we stopped were when Hollow and I were changing shifts in pulling the wagon, so that the other could rest. We had a good system going there.
We were finally making progress.
I was going to find Snow Star...
Finally...
My moth rested behind my ear, as it often times did. I really needed a name for the little guy.
My dinner that night consisted of a raw, irradiated scorpion stinger. If I was a betting pony - which I guess I kinda was - I would have guessed the radiation would have killed me far before the venom did. Good thing I was a weird demon pony that had some weird resistance towards most dangers. To an extent...
I gulped it down with a Rad-Away and the whiskey that Thorne had got me from Virtue, as the exposure was a bit much than I had initially anticipated. I felt like shit after, but it sure was tasty!
... The scorpion meat and the whiskey, I mean. The Rad-Away was shit...
When Hollow was pulling the wagon, she gave me her rifle. Upon looking through the scope, I found out why everyone that used it always pointed up at the sky.
Instead of seeing depressing rain clouds, or a blinding sun, I was greeted with a bird's eye view of the land, as if I was aiming from above. When I moved the rifle around and angled it, my range would move to where I positioned it.
Okay, this gun was awesome... Now I was really jealous!
There wasn't a whole lot out here worth scavenging, unfortunately. Abandoned towns here and there, or active settlements. But some settlements weren't like Virtue...
They didn't forgive.
For Hollow's sake, and Onyx's, we had to steer clear of any settlements that we stumbled upon. Hollow, a zebra, and Onyx, an Enclave pegasus that was left for dead by her own team... That would surely bring out the torches and pitchforks.
It was probably for the best that we didn't stop anyways. My compass bearing was starting to move again, which meant Titan was getting closer. I kept a watchful eye on our six using Hollow's rifle, but I wasn't seeing him yet, so there was that. However, in doing so, I was greeted with the voices a lot of the time.
By the third night, my friends had noticed I hadn't been sleeping. My appearance and bloodshot eyes probably gave that away. They insisted that I rest, but there was no rest for the likes of me. Nightmares awaited.
I was exhausted to my core. A part of me wanted to sleep. But nothing good was going to come of it if I did.
But who was I fooling? I was having trouble keeping my eyes open any longer. Sitting down wasn't helping whatsoever, and even absorbing other biomass was starting to lose its touch. Laying down was even worse.
I had offered to pull the wagon, but Hollow advised against it, and told me to sleep.
They weren't asking. They were demanding.
More and more, I wanted to. But I was scared of what my mind was going to conjure up, when I did. If I did...
If I... did...


(((((((◉)))))))


I shot up with the realization that I had dozed off, looking around my surroundings. I was still in the wagon. Phew... Okay, this wasn't a drea...
Just then, did I notice all my friends weren't in the wagon. I peeked my head over the sides, looking in every direction for them. But they were nowhere to be seen.
The land was dead and dry, and the sky was black. The only sound I heard was that of the wheels moving along the cracked road. I didn't feel any wind.
That was a dream, wasn't it...?
I looked to the pony pulling the wagon, but they wore a cloak over themselves, concealing their identity from me.
"Hey."
The pony kept to themselves, pulling the wagon behind them as they continued onward across dead land.
"Where are we?"
I was left without an answer.
"Where are my friends? Who are you? You gonna answer me?"
Suddenly, they stopped pulling, but still, they kept their head forward.
"You know what needs to be done."
I spun around to see White Noise standing at the rear of the wagon, looking up at me. At that exact moment, the vortex appeared in the horizon. I caught the faint white light underneath it.
"You..." I muttered, averting my eyes down to her chest. Her eyes were too much for me... "What are you talking about? What needs to be done?"
She simply smiled, before nodding her head to the side. From there, she walked in the same direction.
I looked back at the pony that had been pulling the wagon, only to find they were gone...
I hopped out the back and followed White Noise around to the front. She had stopped in the middle of the road.
I stopped at her side as I stared down at a pile of severed body parts...
For a moment, I saw needless gore... But after studying it, it seemed familiar...
Four crooked arrows; two pointing up, and two pointing down. The two in the middle were long, while the ones up and down were smaller.
I remembered where I had seen this...
This was in my dream. One of the visions I had was of me looking up at the moon with this same symbol, only it was glowing red.
A while back, Rivet claimed he saw a mess of body parts splayed out like a symbol... Was this what he was talking about...?
"What is this...?" I asked, looking over at her.
"Until recently, Hoofington held the instrument of a great divide. While it is no longer, the effects still linger. Should you wander the lands, you will suffer the symptoms, and all those you hold dear will be ripped from you." She turned and looked at me with that wicked grin. "Your story does not take place there. Hoofington does not need you. Go back, father." She pointed a hoof down at the symbol. "This is your calling. This is your story. Fulfill it, like you are meant to, for nothing awaits you east."
"Bullshit..." I whispered. "There's someone there for me. Snow Star is waiting for me..."
She chuckled softly under her breath, to which I caught another deeper voice mixed in with the one I was used to. "Oh, you poor frail creature. You sensitive hearts... You crying souls... You destroyed minds..." She began to nuzzle into my neck, but I pulled away. "You want the one you call Snow Star? You will find her south on the outskirts of Hoofington. May your discovery... satisfy you. Father." Her smile came back, and I couldn't help but feel like she was giving me some sort of threat... "But know this. The time is coming. And you will answer the call. When that happens, you know where to find me." She turned back to the vortex, where the voices grew louder. I joined her. "You know what needs to be done."


(((((((◉)))))))


I opened my eyes.
The sun was up, though a thick blanket of grey, raining depression curtained it from the surface of this dying planet.
I heard voices in the distance. Not from the west, but the east. The voices of my friends, and... others.
I began to close my mouth, before feeling a girthy, fleshy, pulsating protrusion squeeze between my lips.
My brows knitted as I looked down at the tip of my nose. I ran a hoof around my lips until I traced it along an appendage that I had the sensation of touch in.
A black, shadowy tendril wrapped around my hoof as I brought it up to my sight.
Oh...
I wasn't in any physical pain or injury. I wasn't sure why it was out. I didn't want to show myself like this, though.
Somehow, as if it understood my wishes, it began to slide back into my mouth, traveling deep down my throat and further into my body. As I closed my mouth completely, it settled in my stomach. There was a bland taste to them, but at least it wasn't bad... Not like the fungal ones.
I licked my lips and swallowed whatever slimy substance the tentacle had left on them as I sat up, peeking my head over the wall to my left. All my friends that I had been traveling with for the past several days were there, talking with what looked like a caravan. There was a pony in a stray hat and leather armor, and beside them was a brahmin covered in gear. On either side of them were two guards; one of them was a griffin, and the other, to my surprise, a changeling.
I had read about changelings and the invasions from them in my books, back when I was in the bunker. But I had always thought of them like a campfire story. Something to be told in the dark, just to scare fillies and colts.
To see one with my very own eyes was peculiar, for lack of a better word. Especially seeing it work like a regular pony or griffin in the wasteland. I mean... they fed off love, right? How were any of them still alive out here?
I wasn't threatened, though. I was more on the curious side.
Their glowing, bright blue eyes met mine for a second, before they said something under their breath.
Many of my friends looked back, then turned to the merchant again.
I stood up and hopped off the back of the wagon, making my way towards the group.
"I miss anything?" I asked, looking around at the three.
"Not much." Scope said softly.
I regarded the changeling with a gentle smile as they looked back at me. Their fangs looked awfully sharp.
"Don't try any funny business with my boss, or we're gonna have a problem." He said calmly. "Try anything on my boyfriend, we're gonna have an even bigger problem." He glanced at the griffin, before turning back to me. "Try anything on me, you're gonna have to deal with him."
I smirked. "Try anything on me, my tentacles will have to come out and fuck all three of you."
The changeling, pony merchant, and griffin all looked at me in confusion. A metal hoof bapped me on the shoulder, to which Thorne responded.
"Stop trying to start shit."
"Hey, they started it." I replied as I rubbed where she hit me.
"Then stop instigating it." She turned back to the three of them. "Sorry about that. I'm sure you meet a lot of assholes out here that try to cause trouble. I used to be a traveling merchant, too. I get it... You were just warning him."
The pony nodded. "That's correct. But no harm done. Just so long as we understand each other."
"Sooo..." I started, ready to change the topic as I looked at the merchant. "What kind of stuff do you got for sale?"
He looked at me for a moment in silence, before nodding to the wagon. "Weapons, armor, medicine, drugs, food, including fruits. Ammo. We got scrap par-"
"Fruits!" I said as my eyes lit up. "What kind of fruits?"
"U-uh... Just the basics... Y'know... Apples, grapes, pears, lemons, oranges, that sort of thin-"
"Lemon 'nades!" I blurted with a wide grin, to which the three of them jumped back a bit.
He looked down at my teeth as his jaw dropped. For a brief second, I forgot even I had fangs. Even the griffin and changeling were staring in awe.
"Um..." The merchant shook himself out of the wonder and looked back in my eyes. "Yeah, lemons... We got a good supply of them."
"Important question." I started as I raised a hoof to him. "Do they explode upon impact, or do they take a second to burst? and what is their blast radius?"
He raised a brow as his mouth hung open for a moment, turning to the others. "W-what...?"
"The lemon 'nades!"
"They don't... explode..." He said quietly, looking back at me. "They just... taste good..."
"What blasphemy is that?" I balked, before stomping a forehoof against the ground. "When life gives you lemons, you make lemon 'nades!"
"What the fuck...?" He turned to the rest of my friends, baffled. I didn't know why, though...
"He spent too much time in a stable getting fucked by tentacles..." Hollow said softly as she glanced at me. "Guess it kinda went to his head."
"Hey, for the record, they only went for my mouth!" I declared as I pointed a hoof to my lips. "And... that's besides the point. You know combustible lemons are possible! You've seen them."
"Charger, go back to sleep..." Scope muttered as he covered his face with a hoof. "You're clearly exhausted..."
"And insane..." The griffin muttered.
"I heard that." I snapped a look at him. "I'm not crazy."
Hollow chuckled under her breath. I spun around to her. "What's so funny?"
She looked back at me with a soft smile on her face. "You're adorable." She turned to the three. "He's not crazy. Combustible lemons really are a thing, and very effective. But he is really tired, and needs to go back to the wagon and rest." She turned back to me in a deadpan, before pointing a hoof at the wagon. "Take the hint. Let us do the shopping."
I rolled my eyes and walked back to the wagon. Along the way, I heard Hollow start talking to the caravan again.
"If you're headed west, take a detour north, first. There's a chance there's a Steel Ranger party coming after us, and you don't wanna get in their way."
I pulled the compass out and flicked it open to see the bearing was still on the move, going back and forth. The more I looked at it, the faster it became.
There wasn't a chance. It was just fact at this point that Titan was coming after me.


(((((((◉)))))))


As we started moving again, I took the front seat at the wagon, looking down at Hollow as I rested my forehooves on the rim.
"Hey, Hollow..."
"Yes?" She asked as she trotted down the road, pulling us.
"I have a lead on Snow Star's whereabouts..."
She looked over her shoulder. "Oh?"
"White Noise... told me. In my sleep, I mean."
She nodded. "I see..."
"Is there a way you or Scope can teleport us south of Hoofington?"
She shook her head. "I've never gone anywhere near Hoofington. Nor has Scope. Even if I could, it'd jeopardize the safety of everyone. He's still looking for me... If I were to teleport, it'd have to be somewhere we don't plan to stay at for very long."
I nodded. "Right..."
"I relayed the intel to Bullet, so at least now she knows where to look... kinda." She looked ahead again. "I can ask her to teleport us with her and her team, but she can't get there either. Not without a beacon. And Sora or I would have to be there in order to place one. We could also keep going like this and gather supplies along the way. It's all up to you."
"It's not going to make a difference either way." I replied. "Let's keep scavenging along the way. We can use all the supplies we can get."
She nodded with a faint smile as she looked over her shoulder again. "Consider it done."


(((((((◉)))))))


By nightfall, my moth had come out from behind my ear to rest on my forehoof as I lied down; one fore resting on the other.
I smiled softly at my shadowy friend as he looked up at me. Did he get bigger since I last saw him...? I didn't remember him being as large as my hoof. No wonder why one side of my head felt heavier when it was resting back there!
With darkness shrouding the land, I was able to pick up a faint, dark purple glow from his wings, mixed in with the shadows that covered his form. His eyes carried that same glow.
I gently moved my muzzle to him, carefully nuzzling his form. He brushed against my fur, resulting in my smile growing brighter. I pulled back a little as I chuckled, looking back at him and studying the patterns in his glowing wings. They were constantly morphing into a new design like a slow dance.
"Blacklight..." I whispered. "I'll call you Blacklight."
He fluttered his wings a bit, before flying up to my muzzle and landing on my snoot. He tilted his head at me, hugging my muzzle to keep hold. Before too long, he ran his head along my fur. I felt his spider-like fangs softly drag along my skin, but he wasn't biting me. I think that was a sign of appreciation?
I chuckled softly. "Blacklight it is..."


(((((((◉)))))))


By first light, I awoke with everyone, Hollow excluded, fast asleep. I had enough rest for now, so I offered to pull the wagon while she got some shut eye.
I was sure she needed it.
Blacklight wasn't resting behind my ear anymore. I felt him snuggled up in my mane, atop my head as I trotted down the interstate to the east.
A soft rain came down from the dark grey blanket in the sky. I hadn't seen clear skies ever since we got the wagon.
About an hour in silence, Scope and Thorne were the first to wake. There wasn't much to say between us. Our entire conversation consisted of 'morning.'
I didn't have much to say to her if she wasn't gonna tell me what I wanted to know. I think she sensed that.
As for Scope, whenever I tried to have a conversation with him, it'd go south. We didn't seem to be on the same page, apparently.
Onyx was the last one to wake up, apart from Hollow.
After a good half hour or so, she flew up to me with a can of apple slices.
"You take a break, Charger." She said with a gentle, caring smile. "I can pull for a bit."
With a nod, I came to a stop and started to unlatch myself from the harness. "Thanks, Onyx. If you need a break, just let me-"
Before I could finish my sentence, a burst of light shot out, down the road. Onyx and I both covered our eyes from the blinding sight. I had an idea that the rest of the group was doing the same.
Once it disappeared, I removed my hoof from my view. Titan took its place, looking down at all of us from afar.
So he was able to teleport now!? How!?
He must have had cameras put up somewhere where the visor was supposed to be, cause he seemed to see us just fine.
Firebright was strapped to his chest; her body naked. All four limbs were spread apart, and I could tell just from here that she took a beating... and more than that...
I hated that I felt sympathy for her...
Before I knew it, a red dome of energy appeared over the lot of us. I spun around to see Hollow glaring up at Titan... and her horn was active.
Yikes...
"CLEVER." Titan said. His voice wasn't hurting anyone now... Hollow, you genius...
Onyx finished getting me out of the harness before her hooves touched ground. She stood beside me as I glared up at him. I also noticed she had dropped the canned goods... damn it.
"Let Firebright go!" I called out as Blacklight got down on my shoulder.
He let out a deep chuckle. "AS YOU WISH."
Scope cried out, as upon turning around, I saw him kneeling. His horn crackled with energy. I spun back to Titan to see that same aura wrap around Fire's frame, before ripping her off his chest and throwing her across the land between us.
Wait... did Titan just... use Scope's magic...?
I turned back to Scope as he shuddered. "You alright?"
He grunted in response as he put a hoof to his temple. As I turned back to Titan, Firebright's body slammed into me.
I fell to the ground with her atop me. She was coughing and wheezing as blood trickled down her lips. I slid out from under her, and as I looked at her, she did the same to me.
I was kinda hoping I'd have absorbed her the moment she hit me...
"Hey, Lil' bro..." She said hoarsely, putting her hoof on mine. She collapsed her head against the pavement as the rain obscured the blood in her coat. I caught the scent of sex off her. There was blood between her legs... "Fuck, I need a drink..."
I turned back to Titan. "You're not getting the battery!"
His cannon started to glow red with an ominous hum. "I'M DONE ASKING. I'M HERE TO KILL YOU. YOU, YOUR SISTER, AND ANYONE STUPID ENOUGH TO GET IN THE WA-"
Before he could finish his sentence, my body was warped through teleportation magic.
We had appeared next to a pre war diner that we had passed by last night. In the distance, to the south, was a city that had once been shrouded by darkness. I hadn't noticed it before.
"He talks too much, anyways..." Scope said with a half smile as the light around his horn faded.
"That should buy us a couple hours before he gets here..." Hollow said softly.
The wagon was still with us, thankfully. I began reattaching the harness to my barrel.
"He doesn't have anyone to stay back to make sure we don't teleport again." I looked back at my friends as they all disembarked. "Not unless he has a vertibuck team nearby. We have a better chance at pulling off the same trick as last time."
"Agreed." Hollow replied.
Before I knew it, she was at Scope's side as they walked toward the open doorway of the diner.
Thorne stopped beside me, looking down at Firebright. Onyx flew up to the roof of the building and pulled out a set of binoculars, before bringing them to her eyes. Her Enclave helmet would have been really useful at a time like this...
"So..." Thorne started. "What are you gonna do with her?"
I looked down at my good-for-nothing sister to find she was out cold. I still hated her. But she was just starting to suffer. She was getting a taste of what I had been put through the past several years. It was up to her what she did with that...
"We'll see what happens. Take her inside. I'm gonna bring the wagon around back."


(((((((◉)))))))


Just before I managed to make it inside after parking the wagon, did I get the experience of a flash flood. I was soaked to the core after only a few seconds.
I stumbled over to one of the tables and took a seat, looking out at the sudden storm that decided to hit us. Blacklight hopped onto the table and shook himself free of any water droplets he could.
"Hey..." Hollow whispered. A second later, I felt the zipper of my barding start moving up to my neck from my crotch.
I spun around in surprise to see her hoof traveling up my body with the zipper. Her eyes redirected their attention from the zipper to my eyes. "You're soaked. You should take this off."
I nodded to her in silence, and after the zipper parted ways at my neck, I stood up, trying to get my hooves out of the sleeves.
The thing with leather barding was that when it was wet, it seemed to tighten around the wearer. The wearer, being me...
"Come on, Goddess damn it..." I muttered behind clenched teeth as I kicked a forehoof around, trying to get the sleeve off.
"Hey..." Hollow's hoof rested on mine, making me stop. I looked at her, to which she gave me a gentle smile. From there, she worked on getting the barding off, one hoof at a time. It took a bit of effort, even on her part, but after about three minutes, my armor was hanging on an overhead pipe that had dropped from the ceiling long ago.
Hollow sat beside me as I took my initial spot at the table. Thorne was with my sister, who remained unconscious. Scope was lying in a separate booth, huddled up with his rifle.
The air was cold. Freezing, actually. The west didn't have it this bad. I wondered why that was.
Hollow took my hoof in hers, causing me to direct my attention to her once more. She smiled at me, and I smiled back. The problem was I had to force it. I wasn't happy. I wasn't cheerful.
I felt kinda... numb. I felt that same feeling when I first discovered I was a unicorn. I didn't wanna move, I didn't wanna speak. I had to fight myself just to open my mouth to say anything.
I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.
"You okay?" She asked.
I nodded. "Mm..." Opening my eyes, I looked over at Scope, giving a nod in his direction. Let's stop focusing on my feelings...
"He'll be okay. He has a migraine, but he'll live. I gave him something for the pain."
"Med-x, you mean..."
She hung her head down for a moment. "Yeah."
I took a deep breath and looked over at her again. "I know I'm addicted. But let's look at the facts. As far as any of us know, only heat based things can kill me." I shook my head. "Med-x isn't heat based."
She gave me a wry smile, before looking around the room. Soon after checking on the others, she reached around to the booth behind us and pulled out a syringe, before placing it on the table.
I felt an itch within me that only the contents of that needle could satisfy...
"Just don't overdo it..." With that, she got up and walked over to an empty booth, before lying her back down in the dusty bench.
I looked down at the syringe before me as I listened to the pitter patter of the rain's neverending assault against the building's roof.
Blacklight looked up at me as his eyes lit up in that purple haze, and he tilted his head to me as his wings fluttered.
I smiled down at him for a moment, before picking up the needle. I didn't need a tourniquet, which was good for me, because I didn't have one at my disposal. I didn't think blood loss was on the list of ways I could die.


(((((((◉)))))))


After the best part of an hour, I finally heard Firebright awaken in a raspy, coughing fit. I sat up, holding Blacklight to my chest, as he had been residing there when I was resting my back against the bench. The voices were still there, but I did well to keep my head turned away from the west.
"Y-you again... Goddess damn it..."
I looked over to see Thorne by her side just as she collapsed her head back down on the bench she was set down on.
Blacklight crawled out from under my arm, only to crawl up to my shoulder. I was pleased to find out his wings were stronger than any other moth I've seen.
I got up on all fours and trotted over to my sister.
"How is she?" I asked calmly, regarding Thorne.
"Not in any condition to fight." Hollow stated as she stepped up to me. I didn't even hear her get out of her booth. Damn, she was stealthy...
Thorne nodded. "I think she has a broken rib..."
"Ah, guy, just shut up..." Fire muttered. "I'll be fine... Not like any of you should care anyways..."
I turned to Thorne and Hollow. "Can I have some time with her?"
Thorne glanced down at my metal hoof for a moment, but there was no anger inside me at that time. Med-x not only helped my physical pain, but put me in a relatively calm state, as well.
"Alright." Thorne nodded. "Just don't get hostile on her again. Please. I've been dying to see my daughter again... I've been dying to see you both."
"I won't harm her." I stated as my eyes met hers. "I just need to talk to her."
Thorne nodded once more, before turning around and walking off with Hollow.
I turned to Firebright and sat at her side.
"Hey... Lil'..." She paused as she looked up at me. "Ah, fuck it... The hell you want, Charger?"
"You're like me now."
"I'm nothing like you."
"Let's see..." I tapped a hoof to my chin as I looked up at the ceiling. "We've both been fed lies our entire life by the same assholes, we're both banished and wanted dead by them, we've both been ra-"
"Okay, I get it... You don't need to..." She crossed her rear legs with each other, covering herself. "... say it..."
I glanced down at what she attempted to hide, before looking back up at her eyes. "You alright?"
She let out a single, half choked chuckle as tears welled up. "Fuck no, I'm not alright."
"I'd like to say you get used to it, but..." I shook my head as I kept my eyes on her. "You really don't."
She rolled her eyes before biting her lip. I caught some tears slipping out, running down her coat. "Why the fuck are you even talking to me?"
"Straight to the point..." I cracked a smile. "Good." I took a deep breath as I kept my eyes on her. Looking up meant having to hear the voices more distinctly. "Your eyes have been opened. I still hate your guts. But I also feel bad for you. For what you went through. I know what it's like..."
"Pity?" She looked on at me in disgust. "Seriously? Piss off..."
My hoof started to crackle as an anger began to grow in my core. "Shut the fuck up and listen, you dumb bitch. Or I'm gonna hurt you like they did."
She went quiet, and I took another deep breath, trying to swallow the rage. "I'm giving you a choice. If not for my sake, then Thorne's. You can join us. Fight alongside us against the chapter when the time is right. Give Bristle and Titan what they deserve. But when I tell you to do something, you're going to do it. You're going to obey me now, understand? You are mine to do with as I please."
She continued to stare in silence. I could very well tell she didn't like it. But she wasn't protesting, either. That had to mean something.
"Or... you can go your own way. Live alone out in the wasteland. Pray to whoever the fucks listening that a feral rips into you before a raider has their way with you. Guess I've had the best of both parties now... and neither are very fun." I regarded her coolly as Blacklight jumped off me and landed over my hoof, which was now resting on the table. "So what'll it be, sis? Learn to be my obedient fucking pet, or take your chances alone? Neither are gonna be very pleasant. At least, for you. I'm sure I'll have some fun with you. And if not with you, at least I'll be satisfied knowing you're suffering out there, somewhere."
"Does family really mean nothing to you anymore?"
"Oh, shut the fuck up, Firebright... Family would have mattered to me if you didn't rape me time and time again. The closest thing I ever had to a family was Snow Star, and you, Bristle, and Crimson tore her away from me. You're not my family. You're just some dumb cunt I'm related to." My hoof began to emit a strong surge of electricity as I felt myself glaring. "If I find Snow Star alive, maybe some part of me will forgive you. But until then, I OWN YOU. What I say goes, if you choose to stay."
She closed her eyes and inhaled through her shaky breath, before opening her mouth in an exhale. She opened her eyes again, looking up at me with a soft nod. "Okay."
I raised a brow, to which she reiterated.
"Okay. I don't like it too much. But I'm willing to accept the conditions... You're the boss." She sat up, leaning her lower back against the wall underneath the window frame. She coughed and wheezed, before spitting out blood... which I began to notice was turning black. She was infected with the shadow virus? "Guess I kinda deserved this anyways, huh?"
"Yeah. You do."
She nodded slowly as she wiped her face free of the few tears that made dampened lines into her coat.
"Another thing." I started, keeping my eyes locked on hers while she tried to keep her head down. "If Snow Star's alive, you are going to stay far away from her. If she managed to have a child out here, you're going to stay the hell away from them, too. You're going to stay away from Fluky, too. Otherwise, I'm going to shove a tentacle in you and rip out your heart through your anus. Do you understand me?"
She quietly nodded.
"You better fucking say it." I stood up, looking down at her.
"I understand you."
"You understand what?"
She paused for a moment, looking up into my eyes as I found myself towered over her. "I understand if I don't stay away from Snow Star or your child, or... Fluky... you're going to rip out my heart through my... anus..." She scrunched her muzzle at the last word.
"Who am I?"
"Char-"
"Wrong." I snapped, slamming a hoof down on the table. "Figure it out. Who the fuck am I?"
"M-master...?"
I nodded. "When you're addressing me, what do you call me?"
"Master..."
"Again. Say it."
"Master."
"One more time." I said with a grin, baring my fangs inches from her muzzle as I kept her pinned to the bench and wall.
"... Master..."
"There we go..." I tapped a hoof on her cheek, smiling down at her as I stood over her cowering form. "Don't forget it." I hopped off the bench, and shortly after, Blacklight landed on the back of my head. I turned back to Firebright. "You're mine now."
"Yes..." She hung her head down once more. "Master..."
With a proud smile, I turned away and continued walking back to my booth.
Fuck, that felt great...
If she behaved, maybe I would go easy on her. It was something only time could tell.
If she was infected, and had the same effects as me, then she wouldn't need any medicine for the cracked ribs. It would take longer, but they would regenerate on their own over time. Not like she deserved to feel good anyways...
I rested back in my booth, facing away from the west with my hooves behind my head as I closed my eyes.
Not long after, did I hear two sets of hooves approach. Upon opening my eyes, I saw Thorne and Hollow standing before me.
"What was that all about?" Thorne asked with an annoyed tone.
Hollow didn't seem to care too much, judging by her careless expression.
"Just setting down a few ground rules. Someone's gotta discipline her."
"So you kick her while she's already down?" Thorne narrowed her eyes. "What the fuck, Charger?"
"No." I sat up quickly, glaring at her as my hoof started up. "No. You don't get to do that. She has made my life a living fucking hell. She's my prisoner now. I earned that."
Thorne turned to Hollow as a smile crept up on the zebra's lips, keeping her eyes locked on mine.
"Seriously? You too?"
Hollow turned her head to her and simply shrugged.
"Sweet Celestia, I'm surrounded by a bunch of psychopaths!" Thorne swung her head to me. "Lest you forget, she's MY daughter!"
"Lest you forget, she's MY sister! MY rapist! MY reason for drinking and doing drugs!"
"Will all of you, for the love of Celestia, shut. the fuck. UP!?" Scope shouted, glaring at all of us. "Stop your bickering and fuck already, you fucking assholes! You're only making my headache WORSE!"
Thorne and I turned to each other again; both of us in silence. Her eyes softened before they closed. She hung her head down and sighed. "Charger..."
"Thorne." I spoke much softer.
"I get what she did to you. I won't get in your way. You deserve some form of justice. But I'm asking you..." She opened her eyes again, keeping her head down as she looked up at me. "Please. Show some mercy. Be better than her..."
I leaned my back against the wall as I exhaled. The electricity in my hoof softened. "Alright, Thorne... I won't hurt her... But she's going to do whatever I tell her to. She's still my prisoner... You hear that?" I called out, looking over at her.
"Loud and clear..." Firebright replied.
Onyx flew in through the front doorframe, dripping an ungodly amount of rain water onto the ground from her coat. "We got company!" She blurted as she hovered in the air.
"Titan?" Thorne asked, looking back at her. I quickly ripped my barding off the overhead pipe and fit myself within. Blacklight jumped off my form and flew out one of the windows.
"Enclave! They must have found out where Charger is!"
"Fuck!" She spun around. "Alright, everyone, fortify the windows with whatever you can!"
In an aggressive groan, Scope got up on his hooves, holding his rifle in his fores. Looked like he was able to walk on his hindlegs, too. "Can't catch a fucking break, can I?"
I slipped off my bench after zipping up and attempted to lift it while everypony scrambled around the diner in attempts of fortifying our position with the furniture provided.
Firebright slid off her bench and lied underneath the table that was once next to her. That was fine. She was useless anyways. I sure as hell wasn't giving her a gun.
The benches unfortunately, were bolted to the ground. But their tables were a different story.
One by one, I started blocking the windows with as many tables as I could, though I knew for a fact they weren't going to hold. Even then, none of the windows were completely blocked. The silver lining was that it offered a little more cover, but there wasn't much of it.
As my team readied their weapons and took their positions, I caught a series of red blips appear all around us on the E.F.S. I witnessed one of them blink out, though.
In the distance, I saw several pegasi flying in formation in the gloomy skies.
I whipped my chair out, and as it unfolded, I spun around. "Onyx! Spare some MCF?"
As she prepped the guns underneath her wings, she fished around in her saddle bags, before tossing a spare cell.
I caught it and slapped it into the chair, before aiming out the window at the squad.
With a mechanical hum, the legs of my chair began to glow, and within a moment's notice, four red beams shot up into the sky, striking the lead target. The rest of the squad immediately dispersed as their leader disintegrated into red ash, only to float off into the air in flakes, or get washed down with the rain.
As the lasers lingered, I swung the legs around at the evading targets with my mental commands, but in the very limited time I had, I had only managed to get one other. Even then, they were still alive. But there was nothing left of their right wing.
I was sure they survived the fall. Enclave armor was a lot like the Steel Rangers. Both were resilient, but one was also more flexible to work with than the other.
The former, rather than the latter...
"Well, I'll take what I can get..." The depleted cell 'pinged' out of the weapon as I tossed the chair to the ground beside me. I brought my rifle up from my side, looking down the scope as the others circled around the structure.
I put a few shots in on a pegasus that had been veering off to the left, but I wasn't sure any of them had hit, since it didn't seem to effect them. That, or their armor was tougher than I thought.
Before I could anymore in, they disappeared from my sight. A moment later, however, their blip disappeared. They were still well within range, judging by how fast it was moving past.
Blacklight was helping.
The rest of my team was firing from their positions, but Onyx seemed to freeze up.
"What are you doing!?" I called out, looking back at her. "Shoot them!"
"I..." She backed away from her window, tearing up. "These used to be my friends and family!"
Fire chuckled softly to herself. Even through all the rain and gunfire, I was able to hear it from here.
Ignoring that, I shook my head and spun back to my window.
I could hear lasers fire from outside, but I wasn't seeing any on my side. My friends weren't wanted alive...
With no other targets on my side, I backed away from the window, bringing my chair with me as I rushed to my friend's aid; taking Onyx's former spot.
"Take cover!" I shouted as she stared in bafflement at the predicament we were in. Her ears folded back as tears washed down her face. "ONYX, GET OUT OF HERE!"
She blinked for a moment, still staring, until she closed her mouth and nodded. She hastily ran for some shelter behind the cashier desk.
"Agh, damn it!" Scope screamed as he retreated from his window, putting a hoof over his chest. Smoke raised off his armor, and a black scorch mark took its place. Hollow and I stared for a moment as we ducked behind the tables. "I'm fine! I'm fine! Don't worry about me!" He said aloud as he waved a hoof at us. He reloaded his rifle with a new magazine.
He was lucky. Laser weapons had a thing for disintegrating their targets a lot of the time.
Without wasting another second, I went back to the window and started peppering rounds at the pegasi that flew by, blasting back down at us. Some of their lasers whizzed past me, causing me to shrink down lower behind the table as I continued firing at them. I didn't feel like my shots were doing anything against them!
Wasn't I wanted alive by the Enclave? Why were they shooting at me!?
Scope's rifle went off like the sound of thunder, and as a bullet drove through the chest and came out the back of a pegasus, they crashed down to the ground with a heavy thud, yards away from my window.
I could see from here, a tunnel of gore had formed in their chest cavity as their innards spilled out, becoming an abstract stain along the pavement from the rain.
Before I could focus back up at the sky, a red flash filled the lower half of my vision as hot, seering pain traveled through me. The tentacles writhed and silently screamed inside me as I was sent to the tiled flooring. I screamed as my body tensed up. I found myself arching my back repeatedly. Something inside was trying to break free from the flesh just to escape the pain.
Before I knew it, a bottle was pressed to my lips, and the sweet tanginess of a health potion reached my tongue. With no hesitation, I took the bottle in both hooves and began gulping it down. The virus inside me started to relax.
Even with the Med-x, the shot of a laser weapon was excruciating. I was afraid to find out what it was like when I wasn't on a pain killer.
I opened my eyes as my body relaxed to see Hollow looking down at me. Once the bottle was empty, she tossed it aside and lifted me up.
"Come on, Charger! We're not out of this yet!"
I shook myself from the daze and got back to my window. Had it not been for the armor I was wearing, I would have probably died right then and there.
Outside, in the distance, among several pegasi, was a vertibuck circling the building. A rapid stream of hot, red death blasted down at us, causing me and my friends to retreat from the windows as out fortifications wore out.
"Alright, that's it..." Hollow spat, before wiping her muzzle. "Get ready to take out the remaining fliers. I'll take care of that vertibuck..." And with that, before any of us could say anything, she disappeared in a flash.
Whoever her hunter was, I was sure they knew where she was the moment she made that forcefield to keep Titan's voice from hurting us. But now they had to have known.
I really didn't wanna be here when they decided to show themselves. If Hollow was having trouble dealing with them, then that was worrisome.
I peeked back through my window once the heavy barrage ceased, just in time to see Hollow inside the vertibuck, snapping the neck of the pony that operated the weapon. She threw the body out, before rushing for the cockpit.
A very brief moment later, the body of the pilot was thrown out, and the vertibuck changed course.
"Scope, I think now's your time to shine!" I said aloud as more lasers fired down on my position. I ducked behind the wall again as I heard them strike the other side. One of them made it through the window frame, where I was just a second ago.
A few rounds struck Thorne in the chest as she backed up, groaning behind grit teeth. "Thank Celestia for power armor..."
Scope peeked his head over the window frame as he aimed his rifle back out. It felt like he only needed a second to look through his sights, before firing off a round. In that exact moment, one of the blips vanished from my E.F.S. He retreated back for cover as a barrage of lasers washed over his location. In that moment, I saw a trio of red blips sweep from left to right. They were performing fly-bys on us.
I watched as their blips swept across the building, up until they moved out of range.
"They're gonna be making another pass..." I stated as I grabbed my chair and moved for the exit.
"Charger, what are you doing?" Thorne asked worriedly.
"Letting them know how I feel about the Enclave." I stepped out into the open, letting the rain wash over me.
"Charger, don't be stupid!" I heard her call out after me.
I ignored her.
Instead, I watched the trio of Enclave fighters circle the building in the distance, through the clouds. I only caught mere glances at them. Clever fuckers... Using the weather to their advantage...
I glanced to my left to see the vertibuck Hollow had hijacked flying towards them. She too, was moving through the cover of storms.
For a brief moment, I witnessed red flashes and the sounds of laser weapons going off from the clouds, just before the vertibuck swerved out of cover. Two pegasi dropped out like flies, though one of them was still flapping their wings in desperate attempts to make a softer landing.
Before they could hit the ground, Scope drove a round through both wings, therefore crippling them.
They dropped to the ground, and even from where I stood, I could hear them crying out. Their E.F.S. was still there, but the other one had blinked out.
Thorne's laser rifles went off from her window, and looking over, I saw she was firing at something behind me.
I spun around just in time to meet the impact of an armored hoof to my face.
I dropped to the ground as black blood trickled down my cheek. I felt a tendril start to slide out of the wound, though it wasn't as big as the others.
The Enclave soldier took a tumble with me from Thorne's gunfire, but made a hasty recovery with a few flips.
I got back up on all fours, noticing their scorpion tail whip around. He made a rush for the building in an instant, blasting his rifles at the windows. Thorne and Scope retreated to cover as he approached. I watched as he pulled a grenade from his armor. He pulled the pin...
I hastily aimed my rifle forward, peppering him with rounds. Normal rounds that seemed to do nothing against his armor...
"Agh, FUCK OFF!"
I used the last trick I had at my disposal...
I picked up my chair...
As he started to throw the grenade through the window, a piece of airborne, Tungstian, badass furniture slammed into his right, knocking him to the ground.
With a grunt, he fell on his stomach. The grenade landed next to his muzzle.
"OH, SHI-" He screamed as he scrambled to get to his hooves, but was cut short with a green plasma blast. His body was catapulted from the close proximity, and mid-flight, I witnessed his blip flicker out of existence. Before his corpse could hit ground again, it melted into a green, smoking goop that splashed against the pavement, joining the puddles of cold rain water.
As the vertibuck came in for a landing, I made my way for the last pegasus that was left screaming.
I folded the chair up and put it back in my saddle bags as I stopped at their shivering body.
He looked up at me through his visor, before collapsing his head. "Well, go on... Get on with it... Just kill me..." There was a pain within him that was beyond physical injuries...
I looked to the dead pegasus beside him. More specifically, how the survivor clutched his body...
These were my enemies... but damn it, I felt horrible now...
"I'm sorry about your... partner..." I said softly.
"Like hell you are... Filthy fucking earth ponies... I hope the Enclave kills you al-"
Before he could finish his sentence, a high caliber round drilled into his visor and through his skull. His E.F.S. vanished in the blink of an eye, and his body fell limp with his lover.
I spun around to see Scope standing there, aiming his rifle at the now deceased pegasus.
"Leave no survivors..." He said quietly, staring with cold hatred.
The vertibuck landed behind him.
I turned back to the two pegasi. I put their hooves together and closed my eyes as I hung my head down. Rain droplets slid from my mane rapidly as more came, dropping onto their forms. I let out a soft breath as I stood there, over them. Still holding both of them, I whispered under my breath.
"May you two meet again..."


(((((((◉)))))))


I sat beside Hollow in the cockpit as she operated the flight controls. The rest of the team, Firebright included, rested in the back.
I sipped on a health potion, restoring the injury that was inflicted on my cheek. The tendril went back inside me. I was thankful that this virus seemed to work with healing potions. As useful as it was, I really didn't want to rely solely on absorbing other life forms.
The storm seemed to be getting worse, the further in we traveled to the northeast.
The compass Happy gave me was pointing to the east, so we had chosen to take a detour and circle around his bearing. We had the upper hoof now. We had a vertibuck... And evidently, somepony to pilot it.
"So, where did you learn to fly a vertibuck, exactly?" I asked, looking over at Hollow as a violent rain pounded against the windows, obscuring our view.
She turned to me in a deadpan. "I'm an alien, Charger. Did you seriously not consider that I'd have a space ship lying around? Compared to space technology, vertibucks are a cakewalk."
"You have a space ship?" I raised a brow.
She sighed as she put a hoof to her face. "I guess you didn't consider it after all..." She turned back to me with a gentle smile. "I have a space ship. I buried it under Zebrica when I first came here."
I opened my mouth to ask the one question that came to my mind, but she interrupted.
"I know what you're thinking. Why didn't we just take my ship over to the other end of Equestria?" She turned back to the window. "One, it freaks the natives out. Two, for the same reason I try to avoid using my magic." She let out a small laugh as she shook her head. "Dumbass pegasi... They lead an attack against a bunch of unicorns and earth ponies, and they decided to bring a universal vertibuck model with them, instead of a P-O model... May this be a lesson to them that the surface dwellers are smarter than they think."


(((((((◉)))))))


After a three hour flight, Hollow decided to take a landing in an open field, next to an old farmhouse. In that time, we had flown over a dead city, farmlands, forests, mountains and lakes.
I was certain Titan was being left behind in the dust as we pushed for the east.
"We'll stop here. Bullet signaled me." Hollow stated. "I'm going to set up a beacon, and that'll allow her to teleport us to her." She turned to me. "She found Snow Star."
"S-she did?" My eyes lit up as I smiled. "How is she? Is she okay?"
"She won't say, but I'm sure she is." Hollow replied with a caring smile. She patted me on the back. "I'll get things set up, and we'll be out of here in about ten minutes."
My heart was bursting with joy. I had been waiting for this moment for so long! And it was finally here! I was about to be reunited with her!
Hollow turned to my friends. "Let's search the place for anything valuable, while we're here."
Thorne, Scope, and Onyx nodded. Firebright murmured to herself as she clumsily stepped off the vertibuck.
"Charger." Hollow started. I looked up at her. "Can you scout the perimeter?"
I nodded to her with a proud smile. "Of course. And... hey, Hollow?"
"Mm?" She looked back down at me from the vertibuck.
"Thank you for everything you've done for me..."
She smiled back wanly with a faint nod. "It's the right thing to do..."


(((((((◉)))))))


As I walked the perimeter of the farmhouse, I caught Scope on the second floor, looking through the sights of his rifle across the land. Guess I wasn't the only scout.
The more I circled the perimeter, the further out I went. I kept a close eye on my E.F.S. all the while, in case anything was lurking about.
About five minutes in, I noticed a crashed sky wagon in the distance, to the north.
Hey, free loot! Wasn't gonna pass that up!
I ventured for the sky wagon. As I got closer, a red blip appeared on my E.F.S., causing me to freeze. After a brief moment, I spun around, checking for any other hostiles in the area. This was the only one, however.
It remained still, but I had grown too wary of anything red on my E.F.S. Blue was starting to make it on that list too, considering the coarser I had hunting me down. It seemed to be leaving me alone for now. But it was bound to turn up again.
I eased my way forward, rifle ready. I had popped in a new magazine during the flight, so I was already set ahead of time.
As I grew closer to the hole that was torn into the side of the formerly enclosed wagon, I heard a labored breathing from within. It wasn't that of a pony.
I poked my head in; my mouth on the grip of the rifle. My first motive was to seek the hostile out and neutralize it.
But upon looking to my left, near the back of the wagon, I took my mouth off, remaining quiet.
It was a radhog... A nursing radhog. Her babies fed collectively. They seemed to have very recently been brought into this world.
I slid the rifle back to my side. Red didn't always have to be dead...
I couldn't kill another child, if I could help it... I couldn't be that pony that I was, back in the bunker...
I was about to kill an entire family, just like I did when unicorns 'disobeyed' Bristle's rules...
That hit me... hard.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched silently. She was hostile, but she had a reason. To protect her kids. I wasn't going to get in the way of that.
Slowly, I wiped the tears away, as to not cause any alarm to them. Thankfully, she was sleeping. So she was unaware of my presence.
I looked behind them, and my emotions changed entirely.
Behind them stood a block of ice taller than an average sized pony... and sticking out of the front end were a pair of disembodied, silver wings; the once bloody stumps sticking out.
This was...
This was Happy's prison transport before the bombs... This was the block of ice that Floe Glaze froze him in...
A hoof tapped me on the shoulder. I nearly screamed, but caught my breath before I could alarm the family. I spun around as I backed up, but was greeted with Hollow's presence.
She glanced to the wagon, as if looking through the walls, before returning to me with a soft smile. "It's time, Charger..."


(((((((◉)))))))


The lot of us, the vertibuck included, appeared on the base of a dead hill. There was a building nearby, off in the distance; boarded up at every entrance except the front door.
There was still a heavy downpour. This storm seemed to be going on forever...
Everyone was here. Sora's group, Bullet's group, respectively, and mine.
"Hey, Charger..." Bullet said softly as she wrapped a hoof around the back of my neck, pulling me in for a gentle embrace. "It's good to see you again..."
Bullet and Sora seemed a little on the quiet side. Sora, I could understand. But Bullet? She was a talker... She was loud, rambunctious; a joker.
I haven't seen too much of an affectionate side of her.
Fluky ran up to me as Bullet let go, wearing a set of goggles over her eyes.
"Hey, Fluke-"
"How dare you!?" She screamed, shoving her forehooves against my chest. "I opened up to you, and you left!"
"Fluky, I-"
"No!" She slammed her fores against my chest again. "You don't have room to-"
"I didn't leave. I was keeping you safe. I was going to see you again."
I caught Firebright giving me a weird look, but when she saw me look back, she quickly averted her eyes and walked off.
I wrapped a hoof around the crying filly. "I'm here now... There's no reason to be mad..."
"Come now, Fluky..." Sora said as she walked up to us. She laid a hoof on her back. "Let's get some rest..."
I let go of her, to which she took Sora's advice into account and turned around. The two of them walked away.
"What's she doing here?" Petiole asked, looking to Firebright under red LEDs. All eyes turned to her. In that time, Blacklight landed on Tuner's armored head.
I sighed. "It's a long story... Hollow or Scope can fill you in."
"Scope?" He tilted his head to me.
I nodded my head to the new addition to our team. "Scope, meet Petiole. Petiole, Scope. Looks like you two will be the founders of the 'I'm Angsty' club."
Scope rolled his eyes as he turned his head away from us. "Taking Hollow's jokes now, I see. How original."
"You forget one other." Petiole said as he stepped up to me. He tapped my chest with a hoof as his LEDs went green. "You."
I chuckled softly. "Can't argue with that." With the tip of my hoof, I softly bapped his armored muzzle. His LEDs flashed blue as he backed up a bit.
"Why do you keep doing that?"
I shrugged as I smiled at him. "It's kinda cute. And I missed you."
Hollow stepped up. "The good news is that Titan is left way behind. We have a lot of time to ourselves before he shows up." She smiled as she pointed a hoof to the vehicle. "We also managed to commandeer ourselves a vertibuck."
I looked around my group of friends, but somepony was missing...
"Hey, where's Snow Star...?"
Bullet stepped forward, pointing a hoof up the hill. "She's up there, Charger..."
"If it's all the same to you..." Tuner said as the power armor he occupied stepped up to me from behind. I nearly turned my gun on him just from doing that... I hated power armor being behind me... Crimson really fucked me up... "I'd like to join you."
"Yeah..." I muttered behind grit teeth as my ears folded back. I looked over my shoulder as my hoof crackled softly. "Sure. But you don't stand behind me. Otherwise I'm ripping that battery out..."
He stepped up to my side. "Rude much?" He asked in a tease.
He knew what he just did... Fucking asshole.
I started up the hill, eager to finally see Snow Star again.
The first few minutes or so was in silence as we ascended to the hilltop. Eventually, Tuner began to speak.
"I heard your comment to Scope about the orange crush. If I had a body, I would have pissed myself from laughter. Your friends thought I went insane."
I cracked a smile as I looked over. "I'm still expecting a soda off Scope."
"He owes you two now." He nudged my flank, nearly knocking me to the side. I regained my posture, before moving ahead again. "Or... you know. He could turn those sodas into sexual favors."
I turned to him in a deadpan. "Fuck off, Tuner. I'm getting Snow Star back. I already feel like shit for everything I did before." My hoof slipped under some mud, causing me to take a knee. "Agh, damn it... Fucking rain..." I began to carefully lift myself back up.
We were close to the top, now. My heart beat with excitement. It was Tuner's little reminders that were getting to me, though...
He tapped me on the shoulder, and looking up at him, he pointed off to a boulder at the top. "I wouldn't be so sure you're getting her back..."
I lifted myself to all fours.
Fear spread through me like water through a broken dam. My heart sank under it all.
No... No, no, no!
I charged forward up to the hilltop. Rain water poured down over me, and soon enough, a bright flash of light burst through the clouds. The first roll of thunder since this storm had started followed a moment after.
I slipped and fell, rolling along some mud. The bottom half of my face was covered by the time my movement ceased.
I shot back up and raced for the rock.
There was nothing else up here but that fucking rock...
This wasn't happening. This wasn't happening, damn it!
I didn't bother with the earthy taste in my mouth, or the cold rain drenching my coat. I didn't care for anything except finding out if my suspicions were true or not.
I hoped that they weren't, but all evidence was saying otherwise.
Hot tears ran down my face as the closer I got, I saw writing etched into the face of the boulder. Before it was a mound of dirt, and atop that, a blue and white flower.
"No, no, no, NO!" I screamed as I ran up.
My lungs grasped desperately for oxygen before I stopped beside the mound of dirt. My legs were weak. But I didn't sit down because of my fatigue...

Snow Star
Rest in peace
May I carry your flame

These were the words carved into the boulder...
I was sitting at her tombstone. Her fucking tombstone. This wasn't fair! Why!?
I was angry. I was pissed! I was horrified!
My hoof expressed my emotions to a T. And so did the tears that mixed in with the rain.
I pounded my forehoof into the untouched dirt as I screamed at the top of my lungs. My heart was engulfed in flame. I fought to get to her! Even if she was with someone else, I at least wanted her to be happy and alive! And I couldn't even get that!
...
Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore.
My body couldn't support itself any longer, and so I collapsed on my stomach.
Everything seemed to stop around me. I felt like nothing else mattered. Everything was for nothing...
I took more notice in the flower that rested upon her grave. It was fresh. It was put there recently...
I reached a hoof up and ran it along her name, as if it were her. I closed my eyes, trying to remember the feeling of her coat again. Hearing her voice...
Hearing... her...
... I couldn't remember what she sounded like. My memories were obscured. Like looking through a window during a rain storm...
I forgot her voice...
I inhaled the cold air, keeping my eyes closed as I heard the hoofsteps of power armor come up behind me. "Tuner."
"Yes, Charger?" He replied quietly.
"How did she die?"
"Blood loss... She was shot... I'm sorry, Charger."
"And you fucking knew..." I looked over my shoulder, glaring at him. Blacklight rested atop his head. "All this time. You knew... and you didn't say a thing."
"Would you have believed me if I did?"
...
... He had a point...
"In my defense, I was trying to redirect you to the bunker, solely because I knew the truth."
My exhales were shaky, and more tears threatened to breach.
Someone laid her to rest here... Someone that cared about her... Very recently, too...
"I'd like to think that if Snow Star was seeing this right now, she'd play a song like this."
A beat suddenly emerged from the suit of power armor. A piano soon joined the smaller beats. Just from the piano alone, I could hear a sadness in it. Lyrics joined in shortly after.

Why do you build me up, build me up, buttercup
Just to let me down, let me down, and mess me around?
And then worst of all, worst of all, you never call, baby
When you say you will, say you will, but I love you still
I need you, I need you, more than anyone darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up, build me up, buttercup, don't break my heart

Tuner, you fucking asshat...
I couldn't help but feel like he was taunting me with that song...

'I'll be over at ten,' you told me time and again
But you're late, I wait around and then
I went to the door, I can't take any more
It's not you, you let me down again

I closed my eyes as my hoof's electricity grew wilder. The anger within was building up. Towards him. For playing a song that implied Snow Star was mad at me...
I was mad at me...
But to think that she was only piled up onto the hurt that I was already feeling...

Baby, baby, try to find
Hey, hey, hey, a little time and I'll make you mine
Hey, hey, hey, I'll be home
I'll be beside the phone waiting for you

Why do you build me up, build me up, buttercup, baby
Just to let me down, let me down, and mess me around?
And then worst of all, worst of all, you never call, baby
When you say you will, say you will, but I love you still
I need you, I need you, more than anyone darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up, build me up, buttercup, don't break my hear-

The music abruptly shut down as I ripped the battery from the slot in the suit of power armor.
"Enough of that bullshit, Tuner. Thin fucking ice..." I pulled my arm back and threw it with all my might, off the hill, back to where my group resided. "Fuck off, you dick..."
"You best give me one good fuckin' reason not to blast your head open." The voice of a filly said aloud from behind.
I slowly turned around to see exactly what I expected; a filly. Though, her manners were a bit more... adult-like.
She wore an eyepatch over her left eye, and a scar across her cheekbone, on the right side of her face. Her mane was messy, and it looked as if she hadn't had a proper shower in a few weeks, at least. A lit cigarette hung between her lips as she glared at me.
The one eye I could see was a dark red, and her coat was a medium shade of grey. Her mane was a blue so dark, I almost mistook it for black. Though, I did notice a stand of her bangs had three black horizontal stripes. It was hard to make out at first, but they were there.
She wore a black leather jacket. Wielded in her magic was a gauss rifle, aimed directly at me. She didn't even seem to struggle with holding it, either! She was strong for a unicorn her age!
I heard a set of wheels roll up from behind her, and within a moment's notice, a sentry came up beside her. It was red on my E.F.S. for a moment, but right when I laid eyes on it, it flashed blue.
The filly stared for a moment with murder in her... one eye... but after studying my features, her rifle lowered.
"Wait..." She stopped glaring as she pulled a picture from an interior pocket from her jacket, at her chest. She studied it closely, then looked back up at me; her jaw now dropped. The rifle enveloped in her magic dropped to the ground with a thud. "Holy dragon shit..." She took a single step forward before lifting her other hoof halfway. Her ears folded back as she looked deep into my eyes. "DAD!?"
> Channel 002.6; The Calling
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You eyeballin' me?"

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Me and my apparent daughter stepped into the house that was near the base of the hill that I had seen earlier, and my friends; including Tuner, who was put back in the power armor, followed.
Her sentry rolled in through a separate doorway in the side of the building, which was wider.
It smelled of alcohol and cigarettes in here, and the place was a mess, but at least we weren't in the rain. Though, there were some leaks in the roof. There was a puddle of water on the floor in a corner.
My daughter sighed as she muttered to herself behind another cigarette.
"That's another one..." She pulled a metal bucket from a stack and put it down under the leak, before turning to us. She took a pull off the cig as she regarded the lot of us; me, primarily. "Casa de casa or some shit..."
Para's eyes went wide as she swore, and I saw him start to dig into his pocket. I bapped his shoulder quickly, to which he looked over, meeting my glare.
"Don't you dare throw rocks at her..."
He took his hoof back out of his pocket slowly, before standing on all fours again.
My daughter - whom didn't give me her name yet - regarded the two of us coolly for a short while, before looking back at everyone else.
"Rest a soul. Or not. I don't care." She shrugged as she took another pull, then exhaled. "But my dad and I have a lot of catching up to do. So here's the rules. Restrooms are outside. Don't shit in my house. Don't piss in my house. Don't cum in my house. Don't fuck in my house. You gotta do that, do it out there." She pointed a hoof to the door.
She seemed to know some things... that worried me about what she went through...
"There's food in the fridge, but I'd prefer it if you ate your own pile of horse shit, before eating what I've scrounged up. You wanna sleep? You got options." She pointed a hoof to the options as she read them out in a deadpan. "Couch. Floor. Closet. Outside." With that, she bucked the door behind her open, revealing a bedroom. I saw a double sized bed within, in the center. Regarding me, she nodded her head behind her, to which I started to step closer. From there, she looked to the rest of the party again.
"Oh, and... don't mind the dead guy in the closet. I forgot to clean that up."
Everyone turned to each other in dead silence as I walked in. I closed the door behind me with my metal hoof.
She sat up on the bed, taking her jacket off and tossing it on the floor.
"So..." She started, looking me up and down. "You're him, huh?"
I nodded.
"Charger Surge."
She took another long pull off her cig, before blowing smoke towards me. "Hell of a name."
Thank fuck she didn't know my middle name...
She reached out a hoof to me. "Name's Bloodshot." She paused as she tilted her head, looking down a bit as her brows knitted. "Er... Sorry. Uh..." She looked back up at me. "The name your mare gave me was Aura. I haven't gone by that name for about a month now, though... Guess I already got used to Bloodshot."
I stood there silently as she continued to stare. "You gonna sit down? I don't bite." She cracked a smile as she rolled her eye. "Okay, I do bite... But I won't bite you."
I stepped forward and sat next to her.
"Take your armor off." She said quickly. "I don't want my bed to be drenched."
I stood back up and began removing the barding from my form, starting with the zipper, though due to the excessive rain, it was still tighter around me. After evident struggle, she hopped off the bed and went to one of my forelegs, taking hold.
It took a bit of work, but together, we got one hoof free, before moving to the next forehoof.
"If my count is correct..." I started as we strained ourselves on getting myself free from the barding. "Then you're seven years old. Right?"
She nodded. "Don't go treatin' me like a kid, now. I've been trained in the arts of 'kick-ass.'"
My hoof came free of the sleeve, before she went around back.
"Whoa..."
I looked back to see her tapping at my metal hoof. "You gonna tell me that story?"
I cringed as I looked away. "Maybe some other time..."
"Aww, come on!" She exclaimed. "It looks killer!"
"How I got it ain't exactly so... killer." I replied, trying to forget that horrible taste in my mouth.
I felt her magic and hooves take hold of my rear hoof. "Lift."
I did as she said, and to my surprise, after only a few seconds of pulling, it came loose.
I slid out of the barding and put it up on a coat rack in the corner of the room.
"For a seven year old, you seem to know your stuff."
"Like I said..." She hopped back up onto the bed, before turning back to me. "I was trained in the arts of 'kick-ass.'" She took what little remained of her cigarette and put it in an ash tray that was filled with them, at the table beside the bed.
I got up on the mattress and lied next to her; resting the back of my head against the pillow.
"Mom taught me a lot out here. Survival, medical tricks, magic... She had me read a lot, too. Whatever books that were still in good condition, she'd have me read to her."
I nodded as I turned my head to her. "Then she taught you extensively. I wouldn't even know I was talking to a 7 year old if we weren't face to face."
She looked back with a small smile. "She talked about you a lot, you know..."
"Oh?"
She nodded. "Told me all the stories of the good times you two had together." She paused, before adding with a smirk. "Well, except the sexual ones... She kept those to herself."
"Um..." I sat up, keeping my eyes on her. "How do you know about... sex, Aura?"
"U-uh..." She rubbed her arm with a forehoof as she looked away. Her smile quickly vanished. "Yeahhh..."
My hoof started to crackle, and smoke started to rise from the bed sheets. I let my hoof hang off the edge so that it wouldn't set the bed on fire.
Aura spun around, looking at the electricity.
"Who?" I asked as cold hatred washed over me like a rain storm.
She sighed. "They won't be a problem anymore, dad..." She took my forehoof and held it close to her chest. "They're long dead... I made sure of it."
Still, that wasn't enough...
"Hey, come on..." She wrapped her arm around mine, looking up at me with a gentle smile. One I could very easily fall in love with... "I'm here. You're here. We got each other..." She nuzzled into my shoulder, closing her eye. "Guess Snow Star was right."
"About?" I asked, trying to ignore the rage within me that continued to boil.
"She was always hoping that you would show up. She never let that go."
Guilt...
"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner..."
Her hoof reached around and turned my head to look at her. Her eye stayed locked on mine for a long, quiet moment, before she moved in and wrapped me in a surprisingly tight embrace.
"You're here now, dad... That's all that matters to me."
I hugged her back.
There was a long moment of silence between us as we held each other close, as if our very lives depended on it.
Eventually, after what felt like minutes, she let go and looked up at me, smiling softly.
"Hey, dad?"
"Yeah?" I replied with a gentle smile of my own. It was gonna take some getting used to hearing that.
"Let's get you washed up. You're covered in mud."


(((((((◉)))))))


"Is it safe out here?" I asked as we stepped back out into the rain.
Aura looked back at me with a half smile as we walked around the side of the building. "For now." She turned back around as she continued. "If we had an upstairs to this place, I'd move the bathroom in. Unfortunately, this was the best bet we had for survival. We tried other places, but we either kept getting attacked, or we caught signs of trouble and had to move on. It's not much to look at, but this place was better than nothing."
She went quiet for a bit as we walked around to the back, and I couldn't help but smile.
"We?" I asked.
"Hm?" She looked over, raising a brow.
"If we had an upstairs to this place..."
Her jaw dropped a bit, before she bit her lip. A soft smile curled on her lips. "Well... that's if you wanna move in with me. I'd love to have you..." She looked down for a moment, before turning her head again and walking around the corner.
I followed close behind and found an empty bathtub, resting underneath a makeshift tent that consisted of four sticks, rope, and a blue tarp.
"Alright, you go in." She smirked as she looked up at me.
"B-but..." I studied the surroundings. "There's no power."
She rolled her eye, before nodding to the tub. "In!"
I couldn't believe I was taking orders from my own 7 year old daughter...
"I'd usually take separate baths, but it would take hours before it could be used again, and I feel gross, so we have to share. Cause, you know... Communism! It's our bathtub!" She snorted softly to herself, before looking back up at me. "You cool with that?"
Hesitantly, I nodded. "Uh, yeah... Sure."
I stepped in and leaned my back against where the faucet would have been. I rested my forehooves along the rim, and I kept my metal hoof out of the tub, just in case. I didn't like the idea of putting an electrical power in water.
I listened to the rain patter against the tarp overhead. It seemed to be getting worse as time went on...
I looked down at Aura as she fiddled around with a rope tied to a metal bucket of water. A rope that ran up one of the supports that held the tarp up. A tarp that was pooled up with... cold... rain water...
She turned to me with a sadistic grin, before letting go.
"WAIT, AURA!" I started to lift myself from the tub as my hoof burst with electricity, but I was too late! Agh, fuck that was freezing!
Aura laughed uncontrollably as both of us got drenched in a moment's notice.
Well... the tub was full now...
She started running for the tub, towards a small pile of neatly stacked crates. She ran up them like steps, before leaping off the one at the top, over the bathtub.
"GERONIMO!"
She crashed into my stomach in her landing, splashing water about in the process as she hugged me tight.
"Agh, Aura!" I shouted as she fell into a giggle fit.
Soon enough, I started to join her in a chuckle as I held her close.
Once things started to calm down, she pressed her ear to my chest, closing her eye. "You're soft..." She whispered. "Warm, too." She looked up at me with that smile that melted my heart. "Mom was lucky to have you..." She said, before burying her muzzle into the fur of my chest, still looking up into my eyes.
She had her smile... Her eyes, too. Or... eye.
I was kinda confused as to how she had a grey coat, since Snow's was white, and mine was a light beige, but mysteries of the universe, right?
She definitely carried my personality.
Her horn lit up as she continued to hold me. I raised a brow in response, but she just laughed under her breath, keeping her sight locked on mine.
"Uh, Aura? What are you doin- AGH, NOT AGAIN!" I shouted as I arched my back from another assault of ice cold water being poured down over both of us.
She burst into her giddy laughter again, closing her eye as I felt her shiver from the sudden drop in temperature. I was shaking at this point, too.
"Alright, alright!" She laughed as she stood over my barrel, looking around. "I know I had a thing of shampoo lying around here somewhere..." She peaked her head over the edge to my left. "Ah hah! Got it." With that, she pulled up a bottle of unopened shampoo, before turning to me. "Hope you like smelling like a mare!" She beamed at me as the cap opened on the floating bottle. She levitated it over my head and squeezed some of the contents out as I lied there, shaking. "It's all I could find out here lately."
After, I saw her rubbing shampoo in her own mane and tail as she sat at the other end, closing her eye as she hung her head down.
I ran my hooves over my mane, closing my eyes as I lathered it up.
Before too long, I heard the faint hum of unicorn magic, but I couldn't open my eyes.
"Ready?" Aura asked.
"For wh-AGGGGH!" I screamed as I felt the equivalent of a bucket load of cold water get dunked on my head. "AURA!"
"Now rinse!" She said cheerfully.
Reluctantly, I did so...
Soon after I was attacked by more water, she gave herself a dose of her own medicine, shuddering as she emptied another bucket.
Wiping my mane from my eyes, I opened them and looked at her. After she rinsed her mane, she looked back at me and smiled. "Better than being muddy." She said with a shrug.
I splashed water at her with a hoof, to which she turned away, laughing. "Hey!"
She turned back to me quickly, once the wave passed over her, then splashed water back at me.
We both shared a laugh in that moment, but after a while, things began to get quiet again.
Her laughter died down, and her smile faded a bit. "Hey, uh... Can you do me a favor?"
I nodded. "What is it?"
She spun a hoof around as she grit her teeth in distaste. "I have to... clean out from under the eye patch. Can you turn around while I do that? I don't want you to... see it... Or better yet, try and wrap up with cleaning yourself, so that you don't wash yourself using... icky water."
I paused for a moment, before giving another nod. "Of course. I shouldn't be long."
"Thanks..." She looked down as she began washing her coat clean of the dirt and mud as well. Things were quiet between us from that point on.


(((((((◉)))))))


After the bath, Aura and I ran back inside, laughing as we raced to get back into the warmth of the bedroom. It was far too cold out here, and being drenched didn't help!
My hoof crackled softly with electricity, the entire race there.
As we ran across the living room for the bedroom, I caught Fluky giving me an annoyed look. I just then noticed the teddy bear on her back turned and looked at me, too.
That stopped me dead in my tracks.
Aura stopped at the doorway to the bedroom, looking back at the two of us. The group around me was silently spectating our interaction.
"Hey, Flukes..."
"Stop calling me that..." She murmured, looking away.
"I didn't leave." I said as a half smile grew on my features. "I mean, I'm still here."
"I know..." She said with a huff. "I know... Bullet and Hollow talked to me..." She looked up at the two mares. "I can see how it was dangerous... for me." She moved in and hugged my chest as she sighed. I wrapped a hoof around her and placed a kiss atop her head.
"So you know it was for your own good?"
"I do..." She whispered. "I'm still a bit upset, though..."
Astral coughed abruptly, to which Fluky and I turned to him.
"Sorry." He smiled nervously. "We'd give you some space, but... there's not a whole lot to go around."
I rolled my eyes and looked back down at her to see she was deadpanning at him for a moment. Even Oku gave him a disapproving headshake.
With a glance in Aura's direction, I noticed she was observing the two of us with a raised brow.
I looked back down at Fluky. "I'm gonna be in the other room if you need me, okay?"
She nodded as she backed up. "Mhm."
"You gonna be okay?"
Again, she nodded. "Yeah, I'll be fine." She cracked a smile as she looked up at me.
I ran a hoof through her mane as I looked into her violet eyes. Her teddy bear was still, for the most part. But I could tell it was staring at me...
That was... unsettling...
I turned and moved for the bedroom door, to which Aura backed up, standing off to the side from within the room.
I closed the door behind me gently. Turning back to her, she was narrowing her eye at me.
"So, you have another daughter, huh? Mom never mentioned anything about that."
"She's... not..." I shook my head. "We're not related." I walked past her and hopped up onto the bed, before turning back to her and lying on my back. "I... owe her."
She hopped up next to me and lied down, before grabbing my hoof and wrapping it around her shoulder. "Why's that?" She asked as she looked up at me.
Oh boy...
"You're... gonna find out eventually, so you may as well hear it from me first, but... I made some mistakes along the way..."
"Such as?"
I grit my teeth as I looked away. "Like... um... Helping shoot up her home and killing her friends and family?"
There was silence in the air, and looking back down, I laid my eyes down on a blank expression, before she finally spoke with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Eh. I've heard worse." She snuggled up closer to me, resting her head on my chest. "She forgive you?"
"I think? She's definitely warmed up to me..."
She nodded faintly as she closed her eye. "What you did was wrong, I won't deny that. But at least you aim to make things right. It's a noble gesture, in today's age."
I chuckled softly, to which she looked up at me. "Did I say something funny?"
I shook my head as I looked down at her. "Snow Star really educated your vocabulary."
Aura cracked a smile. "I once read an entire dictionary. Twice. Goddesses, that was boring... But it was that, or read more of those romance novels she kept collecting." She shuddered in distaste. "Guess dictionary reading paid off."
"I'll say." I said as I booped her nose. Her eye shot up in alarm as she stared up at me in silence. "Looks like you take after your old man."
She rubbed her nose curiously as she looked down at it.
"M-my nose!"
I chuckled as I laid my head against the pillow behind me. My smile vacated the premises mere seconds after, though... I was starting to think about her.
"What's wrong?" Aura asked. I glanced down to see she was still looking up at me from my chest.
"Hey... Can you tell me about her?" I asked quietly. "Your mom? What was she like... out here?" I rolled my eyes around the room, before returning to her.
Aura smiled as she shuffled a bit closer. Her body was so warm... "She was smart. Focused a lot on unicorn magic in her free time. It started out with levitation spells, and then teleportation, but after a while, she started tapping into the more advanced stuff. Freezing spells, duplication, conjuration magic, stuff like that. She started teaching me some advanced stuff for a while, too. Before she..." Aura tensed up as her lips moved, but nothing came out. She averted her eye for a moment. "Um... Yeah..." She took a deep breath and closed her eye for a few seconds. "Anyways... She was a fighter. Taught me everything she could out here. She never let fear take hold."
Aura paused for a moment, before getting off of me and turning to the table beside the bed. She opened up a drawer and pulled out a white, glowing orb.
"She made this for you, in case you ever showed up. She taught me to tap other ponies into a memory orb, just for the occasion. So..." She held the orb out between us. "Whenever you're ready, let me know..."
I took the orb in both hooves, looking into the center that beamed with light.
"Can we... do it now?"
Aura nodded happily. "Of course we can. While you're away, maybe I can even get to know your friends." She moved in to nuzzle at my neck. "Ready, dad?"
I nodded, before placing a kiss on her cheek. I laid my head down on the pillow, looking up at her. "Ready."


(((((((◉)))))))


The world flickered to life like a camera being turned on. There were a few glitches in the feed, but the world remained dark.
Red text appeared in the bottom left corner, only to scroll up as more appeared.

SENTRY MODEL #2915: ONLINE
==========================
MISSILE LAUNCHER: OPERABLE
GATLING: OPERABLE
MAIN SYSTEMS: LIMITED FUNCTION
PRIMARY IGNITION FAILURE
.
.
.
BACKUP POWER: ACTIVE
MISSILES: DEPLETED
AMMUNITION: DEPLETED
COOLING VENTS: ONLINE
VOICE MODULE: ONLINE
AUDIBLE SENSORS: ONLINE
AUDITORY RESPONSIVE: TRUE
SELF DESTRUCT SEQUENCE: ON STANDBY
CURRENT OBJECTIVE> ELIMINATE HOSTILES BY ANY MEANS

The black screen flickered away, as did the red text, and in its place, stood Snow Star...
With her beautiful, dark blue mane and tail...
Her snow white coat, and those glorious red eyes of hers...
Her belly was round. She wore nothing to protect herself from the dangers of the wasteland, but I also noticed she was in what appeared to be an abandoned factory. It was rather dark in there, but she seemed safe where she was, for the time being.
She was looking through a pipbuck attached to her arm, with occasional glances at the sentry I occupied.
With a few taps to the system she wore, a red light soon enveloped her from where I stood. She quickly looked up at me for a few seconds, before nodding silently to herself. She seemed nervous, and rather jumpy.
For me, I was nervous around Handy units. Guess she was the same with sentries. Wonder what she went through with them...
Her horn lit up as a memory orb floated into view from the side, moving closer to the head of the sentry.
"HOSTILE SIGHTED." The sentry shouted in its deep, intimidating, metallic voice, just as I heard an engine start to overheat.
Snow Star's eyes went wide as she quickly pulled the memory orb back. She quickly went back to her pipbuck. "WHOA, WHOA, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, NO, DON-"
The screen flickered away, back to a black, glitchy void.

SENTRY MODEL #1009: ONLINE
==========================
MISSILE LAUNCHER: OPERABLE
GATLING: OPERABLE
MAIN SYSTEMS: LIMITED FUNCTION
PRIMARY IGNITION FAILURE
.
.
.
BA-KUP P-WE+: ACTIVE
MISSI_ES: DEPLETE<
AMMUNITION: DEPLETED
CO0LLNS VE3T5: _-L8@
VOIKE MODULE: ERRRROR;
CCCC)))495E N1T F0_ND
AAD920RR S3M507S: 00000_
AUDITPRE 7E_Q]NS1[[: _)){
SELF DES2R__T SE___NC.; N-T .,<-}
CURRENT OB-EKTI..;

The screen began to fill with a series of 'ERROR' messages, and I was greeted with Snow Star's... frustration.
"For fuck's sake, Goddess damn you!" I heard her hoof smack a metal surface. "It's gonna be a pain in my ass to find another one of you! GODDESS FUCKING DAMNI-"
The error message vanished abruptly, and her voice was quickly cut off. In its place, was another black screen, with red text scrolling up from the bottom left corner.

SENTRY MODEL #9018: ONLINE
==========================
MISSILE LAUNCHER: OPERABLE
GATLING: OPERABLE
MAIN SYSTEMS: LIMITED FUNCTION
PRIMARY IGNITION FAILURE
.
.
.
BACKUP POWER: ACTIVE
MISSILES: DEPLETED
AMMUNITION: DEPLETED
COOLING VENTS: ONLINE
VOICE MODULE: ONLINE
AUDIBLE SENSORS: ONLINE
AUDITORY RESPONSIVE: TRUE
SELF DESTRUCT SEQUENCE: DISABLED>
ERROR> MISSING COMPONENTS TO INITIATE SELF DESTRUCT
CURRENT OBJECTIVE> PROTECT AND SERVE

The screen vanished, and Snow Star appeared before me again, looking down at her pipbuck. This time, she seemed to be in an office. There was a window beside a filing cabinet, but it was too dark to see anything outside.
She looked tired... and angry.
She still had a belly.
She wore spiked metal armor that looked like it had gone through some fight, but was still up for more. She looked almost like a raider...
She looked up at the sentry that shined a bright red glare down at her.
"You gonna blow up? Or fry your circuitry? What are you gonna do this time!?" She blurted as she glared, pointed a hoof up at it.
"PROTECT AND SERVE."
She paused for a moment, before looking down at the pipbuck. About a minute later, she looked back up from reading what I could only assume were the system diagnostics of the sentry.
"Huh..." She took a deep breath and sighed. "Well, it's about fucking time it worked..." Looking back up at the sentry, she continued as she levitated a memory orb to my sight. "This is a memory test. Testing, testing, 1, 2, go fuck yourself."
The feed immediately cut to her sitting in a computer chair with a bright smile on her face, looking up at the sentry as her horn stayed lit. She held a foal in her arms...
Aura...
"I finally got it to work! Phew!" She shook her head and sighed. "That was a royal pain... Okay..." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, before lifting her head and looking back at my host. "Look, Charger." She lifted the sleeping foal carefully. "It's our baby." She cradled her as she looked down at her. "I named her Aura... She's the most precious thing in the whole wasteland, and beyond." She looked up at me, still smiling. "I have you to thank for her existence, love. I know someday, you'll come for me. We can be together again." Her smile faltered a little as she continued to stare. "But... until then, I'm going to record the best moments of my life out here with Aura. When you finally see me again, I can bring you up to date with these recordings. I know it's not perfect, but it's the next best thing." Tears welled up in her eyes as her lip began to quiver. "It's been... rough, Charger... I miss you... I can't wait to see you again..." She paused for a moment, staring deep into the sentry. "If you find me, and it's too late... If I'm... dead... you need to remember our agreement. Move on. Don't live the rest of your life alone..." She closed her eyes and shuddered under her breath, before wiping away the tears that escaped. "Um... Check it out, I'm the first pony to ever use a memory orb against a machine and succeed. Let me tell you, it was a headache..." She shook her head and sighed again, slumping in her seat a bit. "I'm keeping the sentry around to protect me and our daughter. If something happens..." She looked down at the foal. "I need something to watch over her..."
She looked back up at me as more tears escaped. "Well, here it is, Charger. My greatest hits... Excluding my time with you, of course... I love you. I always will."
The world quickly changed around me as I remained sitting in the body of a sentry.
Snow Star was lying on a couch, horn lit, crying out as she kept her forehooves down to her nethers; her hind legs spread out. Her breath was rapid for moments at a time, before she started screaming again.
The round belly explained it all to me.
She was giving me the moment she gave birth to Aura...
She was alone...
Before too long, after a series of rapid short breaths, she took one final deep lungful of air, before closing her eyes and screaming at the top of her lungs, pushing with all her might. Through that screaming, I heard the crying of a newborn, and her physical pain became tears of joy. She was beyond exerted, but she lifted the foal up into her arms, bringing the baby that was to be named Aura to her chest as she bawled.
Snow Star carefully levitated a small blanket around her, being extra careful with the newborn as she telekinetically grabbed a hold of the umbilical.
The scene shifted again; this time, of her cradling the young foal in her arms, who snoozed happily as she read a book to her in a soft tone. She sat next to a small campfire, out in the middle of the woods under the cover of night. Thunder rumbled in the distance, but no rain had struck her site yet.
There was a gauss rifle leaned up beside a rock to her right, along with a set of saddle bags and her metal armor.
The next several memories were of Snow Star teaching Aura about magic, reading and writing, guns, survival, and cooking.
I wasn't there when this was happening, but I was still able to get the next best thing. I was, at the very least, able to see her with our daughter. Glimpses of their time together, anyways.
I was starting to see why Aura was so cuddly. Her and Snow seemed to have a lot of memories of them snuggled up.
I noticed the last ones were in a metal room with a ladder in the center, leading up to a closed hatch. There was old, broken down radio equipment, but it looked like some repairs were being made.
The inside was lit up by lantern lights and candles.
The sentry I occupied took up a corner of the room, behind the ladder, in every memory of this place.
I noticed that over time, they managed to squeeze some furniture in there.
The last memory in there was of Aura sitting at one of the broken radios, around the age she was now. Beside her was a tool kit as she worked on fixing the device.
Heh... Aura really did take after me. Radio repair was a great pass time.
Snow was lying on the couch they had managed to grab, reading a book. The room was silent as they both did their own thing, but I noticed something else...
She had a cutiemark!
Three blue wisps of magic orbiting around a snowflake.
Her talent was magic...
Her talent was literally what the rangers in the bunker were afraid of. They were holding her back when she was living there.
They were holding others back, too...
It was common for adult unicorns in the bunker to not have a cutiemark. Many of them even died without one...
As if my eyes couldn't open any wider...


(((((((◉)))))))


I awoke in the bedroom alone, respectively.
A few tears had managed to escape, but thankfully, these were tears of joy. I might have cried a bit more, had I not freaked out at her grave earlier.
I felt better...
She was gone, and I was still sad about that... But I felt better...
I carefully lifted the memory orb, looking deep into the light that flowed within, smiling softly.
"Thank you, Snow Star..." I hugged the orb to my chest for a moment, before putting it in my saddle bags. "I'll always love you..." I whispered as I gently folded the saddle bags closed.
Heh... guess I had her voice again. And what a gift it was...
It was going to take some time to be open to relationships again... Yes, Snow and I had an agreement, but I needed some time to be alone. I didn't want to move on...
I stood tall, before turning for the bedroom door. Thankfully, the two doors of this house were facing north and south, so I didn't have to hear the voices. My problem was turning the wrong way and getting an outburst of them as the consequence.
This time doing that, my body jolted for the west, smacking me into the wall.
"Agh, damn it..." I shook my head away from the voices as I hissed behind clenched teeth. They were getting stronger...
I regained my composure and proceeded for the door to the living room.
My first sight upon opening it was Scope, of all ponies, and Aura talking to each other. A full on conversation with the guy that hated talking.
But he seemed to be enjoying it now.
I wasn't too informed on what it was they were talking about, but it sounded like they were comparing guns, off what little I heard.
Firebright and Para were sitting side by side, facing them. She peeked in his direction a few times as he ran a hoof along his mechanical rabbit's back over and over again. I could tell she was uncomfortable.
Finally, she turned to me with a concerned look.
"Hey, Char-" She paused for a moment, shifting her eyes down. "Master..."
Everyone turned and looked at the two of us. I was getting a lot of weird looks.
"Kinky..." Aura muttered under her breath, breaking the silence in the room.
"H-how do ya know that word?" Cobalt balked. "Er 'bout anythin' you've been sayin' this past hour?"
"Extensive research and experience." She deadpanned. "Don't treat me like a kid. It'll be the last mistake you make."
Cobalt's eyes went wide, before turning to me in bafflement.
"A-Aura, honey..." I trotted up to her, gently placing a hoof behind her head. She turned to me with a faint smile.
"Yeah, dad?"
"Please don't... threaten my friends. They're good ponies."
She bit her lip as her ears wilted, looking down. "Er... right." She turned back to Cobalt. "Sorry about that. Just not quite used to seeing friendly faces."
Cobalt nodded. "Hey, I get it. Yer all good."
Scope stifled a soft chuckle under his breath as he looked from her to me. "I like her."
Wait, Scope can laugh? Well, holy shit, now I've seen everything!
I felt a hoof tap my shoulder, and looking over, I was greeted with Firebright's presence. In doing so, however, I was also invaded by the voices.
And anger.
I quickly moved my head away, feeling them already sink their invisible claws into my hide and pull me away.
"What is it?"
"Can I talk to you in private?"
With a roll of my eyes, I sighed. "Fine."
I trotted for the bedroom, before turning around on my left side, looking back at her as she walked in. I closed the door behind her and spun back around just in time to see her hopping up onto the bed.
"Nah, ah, ah!"
She turned around at my protest, frozen as her upper half stayed up on the bed.
I trotted up to the mattress, hopped up, and pressed my metal hoof against her face, pushing her back down to the floor.
She grit her teeth in frustration as she knit her brows at me.
"No bed for you." I stated, turning around to face her. "You don't deserve the bed."
She sighed, hanging her head down. "Alright, fine..." She rubbed her head with a hoof, before looking back up at me. "Something's happening to me..."
"Yeah, it's called developing a conscience. I'd say it's years late." I glared down at her as my hoof flickered. I quickly shifted it away from the bed sheets.
"No, not that..." She said as she backed away from my rear hoof a bit. "I must be going crazy or something, but... I keep hearing voices..."
I froze, and my expression softened. "Voices?"
"I'm always hearing them now. Right now they're like whispers... But whenever I'm looking west, they get stronger. Louder. I'm... worried..."
I nodded. "And... are they saying anything?"
"If they are, I'm not understanding it. I know it sounds crazy, but... I start to feel myself lose control the longer I look west. And... after our encounter, back at that raider camp you took over, I puked up some sort of black gunk... and it scurried off... Like, with tentacles... I've been feeling something stir around inside me ever since." She looked up into my eyes... She was scared. That was something I had never seen from her before.
"What did you do to me...?"
I let out a soft chuckle. "Guess infection can be carried through scratches." With a nod, I continued. "Yeah, I know about the voices. I'm hearing them too. You want advice? Don't look west."
"Ch..." She tensed up. "Master..."
I rolled my eyes. "Just call me Charger. Feels kinda weird calling me master now."
She let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you... Charger. I think the voices are leading to the bunker..."
I raised a brow. "What?"
"Bristle activated the megaspell generator we pulled from Saddle, and ever since, there's been a lot of weird stuff happening there. Ponies vanishing. Mutilated body parts taking the form of these weird symbols... Talks of shadows walking around the facility. Whispers... I thought it was all talk just to scare the others as some sort of prank, but now I can't stop hearing them..." She covered her ears as she closed her eyes. "Even trying to block sound, I can still hear them as clear as day..." She took a deep breath, before looking back up at me. "Charger, I don't know what's happening. And you have no reason to give a shit. I get that. I really fucked your life up... but I'm scared." She averted her eyes, looking to her right. "I'm... sorry about Snow Star... I really am... I don't expect you to ever forgive me. I don't deserve it. But... I want to better myself."
Of course he was using the generator... I should have known better than to believe he was going to destroy something with that much power...
I jumped down and reached a hoof underneath her chin, making her face me. Our eyes met as the room fell silent for seconds at a time, before I replied.
"You only want to better yourself because you were kicked out of your home. You don't care about anyone but yourself. I don't fucking believe you. You're pathetic." I pushed her down, and with a grunt, she landed on her back, looking up at me as her mouth hung open in shock. "You should have known better than to drink Bristle's punch. Now look where it got you." With that, I walked over her body, letting my tail drag over her face.
I opened the door just in time to catch Para rubbing an ear with a hoof, as if trying to get something out. If these voices were about the infection, then it made sense that he was hearing it, too. And Fluky...
Though, she seemed normal. I wasn't catching a hint of discomfort from her, and she was facing the west.
So what was so different with her...?
Firebright got up and walked out quietly, taking her initial spot at the couch, next to Para.
Scope and Aura were already playing a game of poker atop two stacks of milk crates, using caps, ammo, and food to bet with. There was a spiked trench knife stabbed into the wooden support beam on Aura's side as she levitated her hand of cards to where only she could see them.
The match would have had to just now start, cause Firebright and I weren't in there that long.
The rest of the group were either outside, presumably, or discussing plans with each other and doing inventory.
I watched from afar as Aura pulled the trench knife from the wall. She levitated a steak, pressed it against the wall as she cut a slice off, tossed it in her mouth, and stabbed the knife back into the support.
"Alright, big shot." She said behind the consumption of meat after taking the cigarette from her lips, which still awarded some strange looks. She quickly noticed and began glaring at everyone else. "The fuck you all looking at!? It ain't cancer that'll kill me!"
Everyone quietly turned away as she exhaled the toxic smoke, looking away to the knife as she levitated what she called out, sweetening the pot. "I'll raise you one pack of ciggies and an unopened bottle of Wild Pegasus."
He narrowed his eyes at her, levitating some of his contents to the center of the table. "I call your bluff, and I raise you 10 caps, a rifle magazine of explosive rounds, and three grenades."
With a grin that said 'you're on,' she pushed her entire bet to the middle of the table. "All. In."
Scope grit his teeth as he looked down at the pot. He had three caps left to his name. He was... really bad at playing these types of games. "Gah... damn it..." He tossed his hand face down on the table.
A pebble struck behind his ear, causing him to look around frantically. "What was that?"
Fluky and I broke into laughter at his response to Para's pebbles. I even caught Petiole and Thorne chuckling a little!
"Read 'em and weep, sucker!" Aura shouted as she slammed her hand on the makeshift table, revealing two fives, a two, and three fours.
Scope balked at her as she pulled her winnings over to her side, sticking her tongue out at him. She burst into laughter immediately after, reveling in the moment of her victory.
"So let's see the hand you sacrificed!" She said cheerfully. Reluctantly, he turned the cards over with his magic, slumping and sulking as he looked away at the wall.
Her laughter grew louder. "Oh, you poor soul! You folded with three kings and two queens!?"
"Look, I thought you had a royal flush!"
"Your experience with cards is a royal flush down shitsville!" She pointed a hoof at him, laughing hysterically at this point. "You shouldn't have folded! Quickest game ever! Get good!" She took a long pull off her cigarette, still laughing. She broke into a coughing fit soon after.
I trotted up, regarding Scope. "How's it feel to be bested by a kid?"
Aura spun around, glaring up at me as she continued coughing. "I beg your fucking pardon?"
"Er... sorry." I grinned sheepishly, looking back at her. With a grin, she put a hoof to her eye and... blinked? Winked? "Wait, are you blinking or winking?"
Her ears wilted as she deadpanned. "I was winking..." Her smile lit back up as she nodded to me. "Anyways, you're good. I know I'm a kid. Just... try not to treat me like one too much... Got it?"
I nodded with a gentle smile curled on my lips.
"How's it feel to be your daughter's bitch?" Scope replied with a snarky little smirk. A pebble smacked the side of his head, causing him to wince and grunt. "Who keeps doing that...?"
She chuckled. "Alright, calm down..."
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "You up for another game?"
"Hell yeah!" She blurted. "Take a spot!"
Scope continued to sit there, getting a look from both of us.
"You're still down for another game?" She asked.
"Absolutely."
"But you have next to nothing left." I stated, looking down at what little remained of his caps.
"That's what you think. I want my stuff back." With that, he started digging through his saddle bags.
Aura and I looked to each other, smiling, before turning back to him. She spoke as she shuffled the deck through her magic.
"Alright!" She grabbed the trench knife, tore it from the wall, and levitated the same slab of meat she had before, cutting another chunk off it. "Ante up, boys."


(((((((◉)))))))


Aura slammed her hoof on the stack of milk crates a few times, filling the room with boisterous laughter. I chuckled as Scope deadpanned at her; his ears folded back.
"Ah man, I even let you bet with my knife! And you still lost!"
Scope stood up and stretched as he levitated his rifle to his back. "I'm gonna... go now."
"Where?" I asked, raising a brow with a faint smirk on my lips.
"Y'know..." He started for the exit. "Places."
"Hey." Hollow spoke up, to which he stopped and turned back to her. "Just be safe."
He cracked a smile. "I feel the need to go on a raider hunt. Safety's been thrown out the window. But not for me." With that, he left the house.
I turned back to my daughter as she smiled at me, reaching out a hoof. "Good game."
"Good game." I replied with a grin as we shook.
I may have lost, but I still had fun. I only bet using caps, so I was still safe. Even then, I still had a lot left.
"So..." She continued as she gathered up her winnings in a pile. "What's up with the fangs? I don't recall seeing any through mom's memories of you two."
I shrugged with a faint smile. "I'm not quite sure. They kinda just... showed up out of nowhere one day."
"Well..." She grinned up at me. "They look killer."
"While we're asking questions..." Firebright intruded, to which Aura and I turned to her. Everyone else seemed to be minding their own business.
My sister pointed a hoof at the suit of power armor that looked back at her. "Who's the quiet one? He's been staring at me for a long time, and it's making me uncomfortable!"
"I'm the one you and those assholes put a-" He quickly swung a hoof to the side, striking an airborne pebble as it came to his head. "-bounty on. Y'know... that anomaly thing you've been badgering Charger on about the past month."
She balked at him in response, but said nothing all the while.
Blacklight landed atop my head, to which Aura glanced up at him, before returning back to me. "You are quite the character..." She levitated her pile of goodies, making her way for the bedroom. "I'm gonna call it a night. Rules I mentioned earlier still apply." She stopped and looked over her shoulder, glaring at Firebright. "Except for you..."
Firebright looked back at her; her jaw dropped. "What?"
"You sleep outside. Don't think I don't know who you are... I went through a lot of my mom's memories, and I saw the kind of shit you pulled on my mom and dad. You're not sleeping under my roof. If you do, and believe me, I will find out... I'm going to gut the ever-loving fuck out of you."
Aura turned to me for a moment, before nodding her head to the bedroom. From there, she resumed walking in.
I turned back to Firebright to find she was looking at me silently; her jaw still hanging open in surprise. I simply shrugged.
"Maybe you shouldn't have been an asshat, Fire. Payback's a bitch, huh?" I ducked as two pebbles came at me from where Para sat, glaring at me. Damn pebbles...
She sighed as she hung her head down, and I turned back to the bedroom. Closing the door behind me, I climbed up onto the bed and lied down. Aura joined me soon after, snuggling up close to me. I wrapped my hooves around her as she nestled into my coat.
Shortly after, I felt something crawling up my back, to my head.
"Hey, Aura?"
"Yeah?"
"You're not afraid of bugs, right?"
"Pfft! Hell no! There's no reason to be scared of bugs. I've seen far worse out here... Why do you ask?"
I chuckled softly as I felt Blacklight nuzzle into my neck from behind. "My pet moth is joining us, apparently. He's on my back."
She peaked over my shoulder curiously, to which I felt him shift his head a bit. Presumably to look back at her.
His wings fluttered gently, giving me a gentle breeze against the fur of my back.
"He have a name?"
"Blacklight."
"Fitting." She said with a grin as she reached out a hoof. He climbed up a bit more, nuzzling into the tip of her forehoof for a moment. "He looks awesome. I've never seen anything quite like him before."
"Neither have I. He kinda just found me. Decided to stick around."
She returned her hoof as Blacklight flew up to the bed post next to us, resting there.
She looked up at me, smiling as she often did ever since we met. She seemed happy. I could tell, however, that there was a sadness we both shared.
We both lost Snow Star...
But she seemed very gracious to have me around.
The feeling was mutual.
I hugged her tight, closing my eyes.
"I'm so glad we found each other..." I whispered under my breath. "I love you, Aura..."
She squeezed back as she whispered, after placing a kiss on my cheek. "I love you too, dad..."
I kissed her back and closed my eyes.


(((((((◉)))))))


"Awaken..."
I opened my eyes upon hearing a whisper in the room. It was dark in here, and all was silent, save for the rain and thunder outside.
"Get up..."
The voices from the west...
They were speaking to me. Actually speaking in a language I knew... That was new.
Not only that, but the several voices were speaking as one.
"Get up..."
Aura's mane tickled my nose as I brushed against it, closing my eyes again. I just wanted to sleep... I wanted to be with my family...
Just leave me alone...
"It is time. Get up. Awaken." They spoke with an impatience...
I sighed softly to myself, and very carefully, I slipped my forehoof out from under my daughter's head. She groaned softly in her sleep as she shifted a bit.
I kept my head facing east.
"What do you want?" I whispered.
"We want the bunker you used to call home. You want the answers hidden within. The one you call Bristle has those answers waiting there, for you. Let us strike a deal, and we both get what we want."
"Answers..." I said softly, looking over my shoulder. The voices started to grow.
"Yesss... Answers. Who you are. Where you came from. What they did to you... The ones you travel with, they hold the truth from your mind. They will not share it with you. We think differently. We are open to giving you the information you seek."
"And what's the catch?"
"The only thing we ask of in return is your assistance in our conquest over your bunker. You would make... an excellent addition to the cause." There was a hint of amusement in their voice.
"I just got my family back..."
"But are you so certain that it is enough? Can you really go on living the rest of your life, not knowing the truth of yourself... and others?"
I hung my head down. I knew the answer to that question...
I needed my answers. Not only that, but I needed justice served for what Bristle, Titan, and Fire did. Snow Star would have been alive if it weren't for them. My daughter wouldn't have been sexually assaulted by some freak out here, if it weren't for them. She wouldn't have been scarred and mutilated!
Hundreds of unicorns wouldn't have been beaten, raped, and killed if it weren't for them!
I looked back over my shoulder as the voices continued to whisper in tongues I couldn't understand.
"I'm on my way..."
"Good... Yessss... Good... Come alone... Come home... And bring the battery... We will guide you..."
I eased my way out of bed and quietly began slipping into my barding. Gathering up my gear without making too much noise.
I slipped into the living room to find everyone was fast asleep. Tuner was still and quiet, and the helmet of the power armor he was in was looking down at the ground.
I snuck up and quickly slipped the battery out from the suit, before he could wake anyone.
The moment I touched the battery however, a synthesized warble rang out, before a radiance joined it. A steady beat took over shortly after.
It took me a moment to realize Tuner was messing with me again with his music.
But it was in my head. No one else seemed to hear it.
I slipped the battery in my saddle bags, before looking back to the bedroom door. Quietly, I moved back to the doorway, studying the faint silhouette in the dark.

Rain is coming down
And that is when the feeling comes

I started to move for the bed.

Rain, rain is coming down
And all my wounds are bleeding out

As I stopped beside her, I caressed a hoof across her mane, before leaning in and placing a kiss on her cheek.

Blue, blue, out of the sky
A perfect hue to say goodbye

I took the pipbuck off my forehoof, setting it down on the bed beside her. The E.F.S. flickered away from my sights as I took it off.
"Don't come after me..." I whispered under my breath. "I hope I can come back to you..."

You, you can only try
To take the reigns, but fate decides

I stepped away, heading for the door as I looked over my shoulder, keeping myself from turning to the west. I wasn't ready yet...
I stopped at the open doorway, looking back at her dark silhouette.
"I love you..."
I stood there a moment, before closing the door.
Turning back for the living room, I carefully made my way across, as to not wake and alert anyone.
Upon getting to the front door, I pushed it open, looking out into the dark, stormy night. A cold gust of wind pushed against me, leaking into the house.
As I stepped out into the night, closing the door behind me, the music grew louder, sounding almost like the engine of a jet, but synthesized. It was quickly cut off, going back to a synthesized radiance that held a sad beauty to its tone.
I hung my head down as the rain washed over me, sending small shivers through my body as I felt the heavy droplets soak into my fur. My mouth hung open as I let my body adapt to the temperature, and some of the drops of cold rain water slid along my upper lip, before sliding down my fangs and from there, dropped down to my bottom lip.
I closed my eyes, standing there in the cold for a moment.
I didn't want to go. I really didn't... But the voices were right. My friends had answers, and they weren't going to tell me, no matter how hard I pushed. I needed to know the truth...
After a deep exhale, I opened my eyes and turned west with a determination. I allowed the voices in and ran for them in the darkness of night...

I'll be hoping
You give back what I've given you
I can see the truth
You give back what I've given you
White below
White below...
> Channel 002.7; Back Where I Began
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why don't you ask your zebra friend if she knows anything?


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I found myself sitting in a studio filled with radio equipment. It was clean here. Very clean, actually. The air itself was fresh.
A fan blew around the room, going back and forth endlessly.
To my left was Tuner, who winked at me, before picking up a microphone with his magic and putting it to his lips.
How did I get here...?
"Welcome back, every creature! Interdimensional or otherwise. It's Tuner here, broadcasting to you live at UPC radio! We have a very special guest with us tonight! He's bad, he's mean, he's hot, and he's deadly. Infected with the Nekkra, we have Charger joining us, right here and now!"
Nekkra...?
"So tell us, Charger." He said as he turned to me with a relaxed smile. "What finally convinced you to go for the bunker?" He put the mic to my lips, awaiting my response.
"Uh... I guess I... heard something..."
"Oh?" He raised a brow. "And what was it you heard?"
I paused for a moment, thinking. "I heard a voice willing to give me the truth..."
He nodded slowly. "And all it took for you to listen was crossing all of Equestria. Tell us... Why didn't you just go searching for the bunker, back when you were still on the west coast? Way I see it, it would have made more sense if you, say, went for the bunker first, and then went off searching for Snow Star."
"I spent years planning to go find her. I wasn't going to give that up."
"You spent years planning to go find her..." He said back to me with a deadpan. "And you couldn't have waited a little longer?"
"My life is on a time limit."
"As is the way of life."
"But mine is cut shorter than others!"
"So you became greedy?" He raised a brow again.
"W-what...?"
"Charger, Charger..." He shook his head. "Unicorns are trapped in a bunker with a tyrant who sees them as lesser beings. Instead of helping them out of that disaster, you ran across Equestria for a mare that was already dead."
"But... I..." I paused as I regarded him. He was right... I did let greed get in the way. I was selfish... "I still found my daughter..."
"Y-your...?" He burst into laughter as he leaned back against his chair. "Oh, that's rich!"
"What's so funny...?" I asked as my ears folded back.
"N-nothing. Nothing..." He cooled down and looked back at me as he reached out a hoof, patting me on the shoulder. "Listen. It's not all bad. You're going back to the bunker now. That's gotta count for something, at least."
But... my agenda... It wasn't for the unicorns... Yeah, I wanted to help them, but they weren't the reason I was heading back... I was going back to the bunker out of selfishness...
"Tell us the story of how you got your name." Tuner said as he leaned back in his chair.
"Um... It's just a name. I was an engineer and a mechanic."
He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Charger... You think your name is purely just happenstance? Tell me... why would you be an engineer with the name of something that replenishes energy for electrical appliances?"
"Um... Because it was given to me? I didn't choose the name."
"Look at your cutiemark, Charger." He said as he glanced down at my flank. "Why is there a hammer and a wrench there, instead of a power outlet, or a cord? Or hell... even a lightning bolt? Why repairing and construction equipment for a name such as yourself? The picture doesn't fit the frame... Or... perhaps it does."
I glanced down at my cutiemark as I brushed a hoof against the hammer and wrench crossing each other along the middle. I... never really thought of it that way before... What was the meaning of my name...? Was there even a meaning? Or was Tuner just playing his games again?
"Well, that's all we got time for right now." Tuner resumed. "But don't touch that dial, folks! We'll be back after a quick break!" He began tapping a series of buttons as he resumed talking into the mic. "This one's for our good friend, Charger. Bad Blood, by Black Pistol Fire."


(((((((◉)))))))


I soon found myself back in the wasteland. The music that Tuner began to play still continued, even when I was back in the real world.
I suppose it made sense. I was a part of the battery now...
I had dark, shadowy claws in both fores, and what looked almost like a thicker, more grown out black fur, over all three hooves. Tiny, dark, cold flames emanated off the black 'fur.'
As I took in my surroundings, I found that several ponies laid around where I stood. Bodies of raiders, judging by how they looked and dressed.
They were all mutilated in some way. From missing legs, to decapitation, to being split open along the middle...
I wasn't tired. In fact, I felt strong. Filled with energy. I felt like I could take on the entire world if I wanted to.
I must have absorbed some of the raiders when I was 'away.'
I turned back west as a storm moved in from that direction.
The voices came back to me, and I resumed my course.


(((((((◉)))))))


For hours, I trekked through the wasteland with one set path.
In that time, I was thinking about what Tuner said about my name. That there was some deeper meaning to it. But I still didn't understand what he was getting at.
My headaches started to worsen after thinking too hard, so eventually, I focused back on traveling.
Fucking headaches...
The storm I had been making my way towards blew against me. Heavy rain slammed into me as lightning flashed and thunder roared.
I had been walking along a thin stretch of road with forest on either side for a long while, before I finally came across a small pre war coffee shop that had long since been abandoned.
Despite my increase in energy, it would have been nice to get out of the rain for a while, so I started for the building.
As I started to walk in the doorway, however, I was greeted with four suits of Steel Ranger power armor looking back at me...
"Holy shit..." One of them muttered under their breath as they backed up a bit.
The lot of us froze as we stared silently at each other. They had their guns on me, but they weren't shooting...
One of them had a gatling, the other, a flamer, another had a missile launcher, and lastly, the fourth had two laser rifles.
My hoof crackled as I raised a brow at the lot of them. "The fuck you all doing here?" I asked, trying to refrain from killing them all outright.
"L-look, we don't want any trouble, Charger..." A mare said as she lowered her launcher. The rest followed her action. "We're just trying to get out of here..."
I tilted my head to them. "Out of here?"
The lot of them looked at each other for a moment, before turning back to me. A stallion spoke up.
"You mean... you don't know...?"
"Be more specific." I deadpanned.
"The bunker." Another answered. "It's under attack. There's an extermination happening... We were lucky to get out alive."
"We're hoping for more to get out of there and rendezvous with us."
"An extermination?" I raised a brow. "By who?"
"By whatever the hell you're infected with." The mare stated as she pointed a hoof to my claws.
"Sooo... why haven't you tried killing me if you know I'm infected? I'm a threat, right?"
"You didn't retaliate. We're giving you the same courtesy... We're not looking for a fight. We just wanna survive."
"Funny, considering I wanted to be left alone after I got out of the bunker..." I said as my ears flattened. I shook my head shortly after and sighed. "Can we at least share the building? I wanna dry off a bit."
The others looked to each other for a long moment, before the mare finally spoke, turning back to me. "No tricks?"
I traced a claw along my chest, forming an 'x' over my heart. "No tricks."
With hesitation, she nodded. "Alright, just... don't go infecting us... or killing us... or... anything of that nature."
"Don't give me a reason to." I said with a slight smirk as I trotted in.
With great struggle, I eventually managed to strip from my barding and drape it over a bench, before taking a seat at the one opposite of it. Water dripped profusely from the armor, drenching the seats across from me.
The other rangers kept an eye on me all the while, but they resumed the discussion I had interrupted.
"What about Virtue?" The mare with the gatling laser asked.
"NCR territory?" The first mare replied quickly as she swung her head to her. "That's a great way to get shot, you idiot."
"We could always go north of Saddle..." One of the others put out there. "The fire's are put out for the most part, and the trees are dead, so we could just walk right through."
"Hm..." She nodded faintly. "Alright, that's an option. But we'd have to move quickly. Place is still radioactive as hell, and our power armor can only withstand so much."
"You're welcome." I said with a grin as I regarded the group.
They all turned to me silently.
"Wait..." She started. "That was you...?"
"Stable reactor go boom!" I beamed.
"Sweet Celestia, overkill much...?" She muttered, before turning back to her allies. "Any other ideas?"
"Well..." One of them started. "We could try for Hoofington. Or Manehatten."
I raised a brow as I looked back at them. They weren't talking about regrouping...
"You're leaving the chapter?"
They all turned to me once more, before the mare nodded. "Bristle's got stupid ever since he got that generator."
"Oh, so that's what made him stupid, huh?" I said with a deadpan as my hoof flickered to life.
She paused for a moment, hanging her head down. "Well... We're gonna try and find our own way. You opened a lot of eyes once word got around that you started fighting back against the rangers." She looked at her friends as she continued. "Guess we're no exception."
I smiled at that... I didn't expect my retaliation against them to actually have a wider effect from within the chapter. That... gave me hope that ponies could change for the better. I knew I could.
It felt even better seeing others follow in my hoofsteps.
"Hey, I feel like we got off on the wrong hoof..." I stated as I regarded the lot of them. "You want a place to stay?" My opinion on them quickly changed once I heard their views and their plans. "Leave your power armor behind. Somewhere you know you can get it back. Go to Virtue. They won't shoot you on sight if you aren't dressed as a Steel Ranger. Find Omegas, tell him who you are, tell him I sent you, and see about retrieving your power armor once he knows and gives the okay. Virtue needs more good ponies."
"Well... When you put it like that, I guess it's worth checking out." She nodded to me. "Thank you, Charger..."
"Don't mention it."
Her armor opened up, revealing a white coated mare with a pitch black mane. Her cutiemark was, to my surprise, nowhere to be seen. Now that was a rare case, for an earth pony in the bunker to not have a cutiemark... Whatever her talent was, it didn't lie with the rangers...
Her dark blue eyes locked on mine as she stepped up to the table, taking a seat across from me at the edge of the bench. I imagined that was the only place there that remained dry.
"Name's Red Glare." She stated. "The one with the gatling laser is Scarlet Frenzy. The pyro goes by Volcanic. Rifles over there is Tactical Lancer."
"Hey, you were out there." Volcanic said as he stepped closer to me. "What should we expect when we start moving again?"
"A lot of rain." I replied in a somber tone.
"Well yeah, duh." Scarlet filled in. "He's asking if there's gonna be any of these shadow things out there."
I shook my head. "I'm not sure. I didn't see any when I was out there, but... we're close to the bunker, right?"
Red Glare nodded. "Correct."
"Then keep eyes and ears open. At the very least, until you get out of the storm."
"What exactly brings you around these parts to begin with?" Lancer asked as his armored head tilted to the side.
"I have some questions that need answering..." I said as I regarded the lot of them.
"Ah, yeah..." Glare nodded to me. "Bristle was saying something about that..."
I raised a brow. "Is he still there? What did he say?"
She shook her head. "Sorry, but he left once shit started to hit the fan... But he seemed to be expecting you to come over. Guess his assumption wasn't wrong..." She paused for a moment, before continuing. "I saw him give a memory orb to one of the horn hea..." She paused again, wincing as my hoof crackled underneath the table. I knit my brows at her. "S-sorry... uh... He gave a memory orb to one of the unicorns there... If they're still around down there, look for a pink mare with a green mane and a broken leg... Bristle had to leave his mark, I guess..."
"Of course he did..." I hissed behind clenched teeth as my ears flattened.
"Well..." She looked to her squad for a moment, before turning back to me. "We should get back on the move again here shortly. I don't like sitting around out here for too long. But we could spare some stuff in return for medical supplies, if you have any."
I nodded as I pointed a hoof to the saddle bags attached to my armor. "Try and leave a few health potions and Rad-Away pouches for me."
She nodded back, before digging through my stuff and sorting through my inventory.
"Would you happen to have any assault rifle ammo?" I asked, looking around at the four of them.
They all looked at each other for a moment, before Scarlet shook her head. "Sorry, Charger. We only packed energy based weaponry with us. But we got a decent supply of MCF that we could part with."
With a smile, I nodded. "You wouldn't happen to have a cigarette as well, would you?"
"Yeah, of course..." She started going through the compartments behind her guns.
"U-um..."
I turned to Red Glare as she slowly pulled the UPC-07 into view from my bags, wide-eye'd.
I stared at her silently as her eyes stayed fixated on it.
"The anomaly...?" Lancer asked.
My hoof crackled as I stared intently at the pony who sat across from me. Her eyes shifted to mine as her jaw snapped shut. She carefully set the cylinder battery on the surface of the table, before rolling it over to my end.
"Sorry, Charger... Just... kinda freaked me out is all." She glanced back down at it as one of my claws rested atop the battery, keeping it in place. "That and the generator is kinda the whole reason everything's falling apart. And... you, of course. No offense..."
"Sometimes things need to collapse in order to rebuild..." I stated in a monotone as my hoof continued to emit electricity.
She chuckled softly under her breath, before hanging her head down at the medical supplies she took from my bags. "A month or two ago, I would have disagreed with you. But now?" She shook her head as she looked back up at me, keeping her head down. "If any of Bristle's followers are still alive down there, send them my regards."
"With pleasure..." I replied as my anger quickly shifted to the satisfying warmth of pre-justice and vengeance.
Scarlet set down a dozen MCF cells before me, along with a pack of cigarettes.
"On the house." She stated appreciatively.
"Thanks." I smiled as I looked at her.
The lot of them evenly distributed the medical supplies I offered them as I took one from the pack. Red Glare pulled out the zippo from my bag and slid it across the table to me, allowing me to light up.
After taking a nice long pull from the cig, I exhaled a torrent of smoke, while she resumed.
"We're gonna be leaving here shortly." She said as she slipped off the bench and began walking to her power armor. Before she stepped into the suit, she looked at me with a faint smile, and a single, relaxed nod. "Take care of yourself, Charger. I hope you find what you're looking for."
I nodded back with the same curl on my lips. "You too. All of you."
They finished packing up the inventory I was willing to part with, before heading out into the storm in complete silence.
Not long after I finished my cig, I started putting all my stuff back in my saddle bags, right there with the battery.
An acoustic played softly through the thunder and rain, though it was as clear to me as day.
Tuner was playing with me again...

You left me there
Waiting at the bottom of the stairs
With my eyes closed
Holding my right hoof in my left

After slipping back into my barding, I started for the exit of the building, before coming to a stop at the open doorway, looking out at the storm.

There is no time for
Hesitation now
You come or go
Or go

I stepped out into the downpour of cold rain, before turning back to the voices that called for me. I walked along the lonely, cracked road that was surrounded by the dead forest. Lights flashed in the dark, gloomy skies as thunder rolled across the land.

Rust suddenly falling beside me on a ghost of a morning
Riding in sorrow to the harbor
Far behind oh, me
The bodies of my friends hanging alone, alone again

Some twisted thorn tells me you saw me in the night with another
Keep all my promises to break them
I am no, oh no,
Innocent son
You run, rabbit run


(((((((◉)))))))


"Welcome back, my fellow listeners!" Tuner cheered on as he beamed at me for a moment. "Back with the conversation with the one, the only, Charger Surge!"
Here again...? Why did I keep coming here?
He scooted closer to me as he took one of my forehooves in his, holding it close. "What if I told you that you were special? That you were literally, one of a kind. That you have done something that has not once, in the entire history of Equus, been done before."
"I'd say you're full of shit." I replied in a deadpan.
He cracked a smile as he regarded me, shaking his head. "I guess it's one of those things where you have to see it, in order to really believe it. Fortunately, for you, you will."
"What are you getting at?" I asked with a skeptic look.
He chuckled, before bringing my forehoof to his lips, only to give it a kiss. He let go after as he leaned back in his chair. "You say you can't remember how you got your cutiemark. That it was there for as long as you can remember. There's a reason for that, Chargie."
"And that is?"
"Nah, ah, ah! Spoilers!" He looked up at the ceiling for a moment, tapping his hoof to his chin. "Let's just say... destiny had big plans for you."


(((((((◉)))))))


The land, shrouded by a dark, gloomy fog, was as still as the death I had been so good at delivering to helpless unicorns, all those years ago.
There was no storm, yet however, this place felt even worse.
My barding was still wet, so I must have gotten out of it recently.
For a long while, I followed the voices that called to me across an empty plain, until I heard the blasts of laser rifles, and the hissing of flamers.
In the distance, through the thick blankets of depression, I saw three headlamps coming closer, swinging around all the while, as if constantly checking their surroundings. Red bolts flashed across the field from their location, before disappearing completely, and torrents of blurred flames reached out from one of the others.
The voices in my head started repeating the same thing to me... Chanting to me...
"Kill them... Kill them... Kill them..."
A part of me wanted to. But ponies in the bunker were starting to change. I opened their eyes through my actions. What if these ones were like Red Glare and her team? I didn't want to take the chances of killing anypony that was willing to change themselves for the better...
I stepped forward with ease, approaching them.
For a while, they did the same, but once I started to see their silhouettes, they came to a halt; all three headlamps locked on me.
There was a filly with the three rangers, along with a mare and a stallion. All of which were unicorns...
They seemed to be protecting them by keeping them in the middle.
These rangers were good.
"Don't shoot!" I called out as I continued my course.
"Kill... Kill... Kill..."
I shook my head from the voices, keeping my head down in attempts to block them out.
They looked to one another for a moment in discussion, before the group started toward me. I met them halfway.
The filly had a soft pink coat and orange eyes under a head of curly, red hair. She stood close to her mother, looking up at me in a timid manner as her parents kept their eyes locked on mine. They knew who I was...
The mother was a darker pink coated mare with gold eyes and a purple mane, and the father had a white coat with orange eyes and a dark red mane.
She knew me from a more personal experience... I recognized that scar on her forehead... I put that there...
"Charger?" One of the rangers asked in surprise, glancing down at my claws. "What are you doing here?"
"I have some business to settle. Where's the bunker?"
"Not far." Another replied, pointing a hoof behind him. "Maybe a ten minute walk that way. Things are crazy right now..."
"So I've heard. If you manage to get out of here, make your way to Virtue, and leave your power armor behind somewhere. Preferably somewhere you can find it again. Red Glare and her team are heading there right now, so try and find the-"
One of the rangers clicked his tongue twice as he got low to the ground. The others immediately did the same, to which I followed, out of courtesy of their safety.
Seconds passed, before I heard the heavy hoof falls of a beast. I would have almost mistook it for Titan, except there was a heavy, feral breathing behind this, and I saw the two legged beast walking in the distance. It was muscle bound, and had the head of an ox.
What was a minotaur doing here...?
It turned its head to us, and that was when I noticed its eyes... They were carrying a white glow.
Like that shadows that used to reside in the Saddle forest. The ones that surrounded Para and I, back at the towers... The reason I was infected.
"Do you think it sees us...?" The mare asked quietly as she held her daughter close.
I put a hoof to my lips as the ground shook behind each step the beast took. I watched as it faded into the depressing grey that obscured our vision, until it was no more.
I turned back to the group, staying on my stomach. "Get to Virtue, find Red Glare..."
I noticed one of the rangers staring straight ahead, frozen in place. "What the fuck...?" He muttered through his respirator.
I turned around to bear witness to White Noise grinning at us from a short distance; her eyes carried that same staticy glow.
"Get to Virtue, find Red Glare." She said in a mockery of my own words... and my voice. Though it was distorted with her own.
I felt a sudden gust of wind rush past, and at once, the filly started screaming.
"NO! LEAVE HER ALONE!" The mare shouted as I turned back to them. A winged demon had lifted her daughter off the ground as she fought to get away, screaming and crying to be released.
I stood up and aimed for the creature, trying to aim for the head, as to not hit the filly. Just as I was about to bite down on the grip, I was thrown to the side from the impact of another.
I could hear the rangers opening fire upon their surroundings. The shadows shrieked and howled as more swept in.
I got back up, witnessing one of the rangers blasting at the winged creature that had snatched the filly. One of them was already out of the fight...
Tendrils wrapped around her arms and legs, keeping her restrained as she continued screaming. The lasers that struck the monster sent it roaring at him. The inside of its maw shined a bright white glow.
"Yeah, fuck you too!" He shouted back. Before he could get another shot in, several more tendrils lunged from the darkness, slamming him into the flamer, causing them both to collapse.
I swung around back to the flying creature, but before I could get a steady shot in, something wrapped around my neck, taking a firm hold. I was quickly thrown back to the ground, back on my stomach.
"Watch and learn, father." White Noise whispered in my ear as I felt her stand over me. Her tendrils wrapped around my barrel as she forced me to look up at the winged demon, just in time to watch as its mouth wrapped around her head. Her pleas were muffled as dark veins grew like roots in her coat.
Within a few seconds, she was spat out and tossed back down to the ground, shaking and seizing uncontrollably, much like Fluky did...
She screamed for a brief moment as she arched her back, then went completely silent as she rolled over, getting up. Her eyes glowed white as she grinned at her family, who was quickly apprehended by more of the invaders. They plead to be released, to have their daughter back, but it was to no avail...
"White Noise, stop th-" My air flow was quickly cut off as the tendril around my throat grew tighter, preventing me from speaking.
The fillies' chest split open, and several tentacles flew out, wrapping around the stallion's head and pulling him in as he fought to pull away, screaming in horror at what became of his daughter. I noticed the longer the tendrils stayed in contact with his face, the more they began to meld in with his hide, gluing themselves to him. Absorbing into him...
His head was pulled into the gaping hole in her chest, causing her to grow in size only for a moment as she absorbed him...
The mother wept uncontrollably all the while, being forced to watch her family get destroyed before her...
My head was turned back to the rangers. They had been staggered from the impact and lost in a daze.
Before any of them could recover, another pony form ran up to them, wrapped a tendril around the helmet of one of them, and tore it off. Before the stallion inside the armor could react, his mouth was forced open, giving easy access for the following tentacle to plunge deep down his throat. He gagged and recoiled, but was pinned by another before he could make any progress on his escape.
Whenever I tried to protest, my air flow was cut off again, only for them to loosen their grip when I stopped. She didn't want to kill me. She wanted me around for something...
The heavy hoof steps of the minotaur grew in volume from a distance once more, and as the tendril was ripped from the ranger's throat, he gasped and wheezed, before seizing up like the filly for a brief second. He calmly stood back up on all fours as his eyes began to glow.
The creature that had him pinned backed off as he regarded them. He slipped his helmet back on, but his eyes shined through the visor just faintly.
The minotaur lifted up the flamer with a set of claws much similar to my own.
"Whit-" The tendrils immediately squeezed around my neck before I could even say her name.
"Stop fighting, father." White Noise whispered again as she moved her head down over my shoulder, looking at me with that disturbed grin. My limbs were pressed down to the earth, unable to move.
"Let the... go..."
"No, no, no." She shook her head, still smiling.
Her body rested over mine as the minotaur's claws grabbed a hold of the helmet, tearing it off. He forced the ranger's mouth open, and at once, one of the bundle of tentacles that White Noise was made of in her true form crawled from the minotaur's mouth, before latching onto the pony's face and crawling in, making its way down his throat as he choked and gagged.
From there, he tossed the ranger to the ground, before turning to the unconscious ranger, ready to repeat the process.
By the end of it, all that was left was the mare, who was still pinned to the ground by the others, while the rest stood around. She whimpered softly to herself as she lied there, keeping her eyes closed.
The minotaur turned to me and spoke in a deep voice. "Release him."
At once, White Noise got off me, and the tendrils let go of my form, allowing me to move freely.
I stood up, glaring at him.
"Bring the battery to the generator. Do as you are told."
"Only if you let her go!" I snapped as my hoof built up an even bigger charge I didn't realize was already active. "Let her leave!"
"We need her." White Noise said as she stepped up to me. "She would make an excellent breeder."
"Hell no!" I blurted. "You let her go, or we have no deal! You want me to help you take the bunker over? We're doing it my way. And it starts by you releasing her, and leaving the others in the bunker to me."
There was a momentary pause among the group of infected, before the minotaur finally spoke. "That can be arranged." He looked to the infected that pinned her down, and as if instructed then and there, they backed up, letting her go.
"We will see you inside." The minotaur said as he trudged off, back into the darkness. The others scattered. "Do not disappoint us."
The mare shakily stood up, looking at me as I approached. She backed up quickly, shrieking as she looked down at my claws. "Don't touch me!"
"Hey, you're safe no-"
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" She quickly spun around and raced off into the darkness.
"Wait!" I called out, ready to chase after her.
But I was a lot like what she feared. She already knew what I was before all this. I saw that look in her eyes the moment she saw me. To her, I was a monster. Even before all this... Chasing after her wasn't going to help...
She was on her own now...
Sighing, I turned back to the voices. I had to get back on task...
What did I get myself into...?


(((((((◉)))))))


The thick, steel entrance to the bunker was left wide open and watched by neither shadow, nor pony. Only the dead remained to guard the opening of what was once my home.
As I stepped inside, looking at the bodies that laid strewn about to discover that some of these deaths were from gunshots, my eyes shifted up to an earth pony that was left hanging by their forehooves via rope. They had been gutted and left to die as their intestines hung from their stomach. Their head was cast down, and they ceased to move.
Above and behind them, on the wall, there was a word written in blood. Presumably his own.
'TRAITOR.'
"Home, sweet home..." I muttered, before lowering my head to the descension of stairs ahead, deeper into the bowels of this hell hole. I walked underneath the dead stallion as I resumed my course.
Being here was bringing back memories... That was the same entrance where I last saw Snow Star, before that door closed on her. This was the same place where I first started my plan to get to her...
My hoof lit up from the anger inside me.
That was the moment I became a monster...
Lights flickered and buzzed obnoxiously as I stepped through bloodied corridors and over corpses of both unicorns and earth ponies alike. There were no screams from ponies, shots from guns, or the talk from shadows save for the voices in my head, nor was there the movement of any.
I expected the ponies to be in hiding, so I wasn't surprised to find they were nowhere to be seen. But the shadows not announcing their presence was a bit off for me. Where were they all?
My instincts brought me to the place I knew best.
The residential wing. Specifically, my living quarters.
The place was dead, as I assumed it would be, though while there was blood splattered along walls, floors, doors, and ceilings, no bodies remained.
The burns of energy weapons and flamers marked various parts of the main corridor.
My door had a lock brace on it, and over it was a sign that read 'NO TRESPASSING.'
I guess even my room was a suspect in my crime.
I pressed my hoof to the door as I studied it, feeling a sudden wave of weariness wash over me.
"Another big day, huh...?" I whispered under my breath, before closing my eyes. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you liked me..."
Goddesses, I missed her... And she was dead now...
As I took my hoof off the door and turned away, ready to resume course, I continued under my breath, keeping my head down. "I like having you around, Snow Star..."
There was a clatter down the corridor, to which I noticed one of the doors to my former neighbor's living quarters was left open. I heard hushed voices within. Not that of shadow, but pony.
I carefully stepped for the doorway, though my metal hoof against the grated flooring was a bad mix, in terms of trying to come off as stealthy...
They fell dead silent within the living quarters, and upon peeking my head in, I saw a unicorn side by side with an earth pony, looking at me, wide eye'd.
"C-Charger...?" The light grey coated earth pony who was once my neighbor said, relaxing a little. "Holy shit... Charger, it's really you..."
The unicorn didn't seem so happy to see me... She was scowling.
I stepped into their full view. "Yeah, it's me... in the flesh. Where is everypony?"
"Why, so you can kill them and their children, too?" The mare asked in a snappy tone. "Don't think I forgot who you are. Firebright and CrimsonThunder should have killed you, instead of leaving you for dead back in Saddle. Clearly the abandonment wasn't enough, you're still breathing."
I sighed and hung my head down. "I'm sorry... I know that won't make up for everything I've done, but I'm trying to start by helping all of you."
The earth pony known as Moonstone had a cream colored mane and tail. His eyes were blue. He went without armor or any apparel, as did the unicorn, and as I would have guessed, the unicorn was left without a cutiemark. He however, had a terminal on his flank.
The unicorn whose name was left unknown to me had a red coat and a dark blue mane and tail. Her eyes, which continued to pierce me, were magenta.
She looked familiar... I know I had seen her somewhere before, but where...?
"What the hell are you gawking at me for?" She asked in a spiteful tone.
I looked back to Moonstone as he put a hoof on her shoulder. She looked up at him for a moment, before sighing and relaxing herself.
"It's just... It's him." She pointed a hoof at me, looking disgusted with my presence.
"He's here to help..." He whispered under his breath, before nuzzling her cheek.
She cracked a smile as she tilted her head to the side a little, welcoming his touch.
Wait... Were they... together...?
Soon enough, he backed away and looked at me again. "We're trying to find something I left behind in my old place. We'll be heading back to the others once we find it. I just hope looters didn't get to it before me..." He sighed as he hung his head down, regretting the thought purely based off his expression. "Help us out? We'll take you to the survivors."
I nodded. "What is it I'm looking for?"
"My toolkit and my rifle. Any MCF cells are a bonus."
"Got it." I said as I stepped in, closing the door behind me.
The place was a mess. I had never really bothered checking out Moonstone's place before, so either he was just a messy pony, or his place got ransacked. Though I was getting mixed signals here... Looters wouldn't leave a place nice and clean. So if he found his place organized upon coming here, then I had doubts looters came by here. Which made me naturally assume he was just a messy pony, if he couldn't tell whether or not looters were here.
The three of us fell silent as we dug through his stuff, but along the way, I found the mare taking brief glances at me. I knew she didn't trust me, I didn't blame her...
But why did she look so familiar...?
"You really don't remember me, do you?" She asked, as if she just read my mind.
"S-sorry, I... don't. I feel like we've at least seen each other before, but... I can't quite place it."
"I was Snow Star's sister, before you got her banished. I was there when you two first met. Thanks for that, by the way. Taking away the only family I had left..."
My heart dropped instantly at what I just heard. Snow never told me she had a sibling... I tore them apart...
She huffed and looked away, resuming her search for Moonstone's belongings. "Asshole..."
"I'm sorry..." I said in a near whisper.
"Fresh out of sweet forgiveness, dick bag... Just help us find the damn toolkit and the rifle, and shut the fuck up..."
Moonstone sighed as he hung his head down. "No, no... Damn it!" He kicked his locker with a forehoof, gritting his teeth. "Looters got it all... We checked every inch of this room... It could be anywhere now..." He turned back to us. "Let's get back... Maybe the other search parties had better luck than us."
"Hey, wait." I started, to which the two of them regarded me. "What about my room? It's still locked, so we know no one's been able to get in there. We find the key or break it down, we get in."
He shook his head. "It's too risky. If there's something in the area, it's gonna hear us. Honestly, we shouldn't have stayed out here for so long. We gotta get back..."
"I mean, I talked with the shadows... They agreed to not attack anymore. They agreed to do things my way."
"And you believe them?" The mare asked, raising a brow.
That gave me pause. What reason did I have to believe them...? I had none...
Moonstone stepped up to the door, and as he opened it, spoke. "Let's get back to camp. If the shadows don't kill us, Bristle's followers will. I suppose we'll just have to make due with what we got..."


(((((((◉)))))))


In the time it took to get to the hideout, I managed to get the mare's name, but that was the extent of our conversation. She wasn't exactly the talkative type, at least in regards to me.
Her name was Sapphire Star.
Moonstone didn't have much to say to me either, but I didn't think it was because he hated me. He seemed rather accepting of me, in fact.
I had a strong feeling he wanted to keep quiet in case there was anything lurking about.
I kept my talking to a minimum for that reason.
We descended into a deep part of the bunker I hadn't seen before, before coming across a metal, reinforced door.
Moonstone rapped on the door for a moment, before a laser turret dropped down from the ceiling, aiming at him. Upon revealing itself, the voice of a stallion spoke through an intercom next to the door.
"You know the drill. No cut, no entry. For either of you." The gun spun around to me shortly after. "Wait, is that...?"
"Yep." Moonstone replied as he took a knife from a compartment that opened up in the wall below the intercom. "The one and only."
"He can't come in, he's infected!"
"He's fine." Moonstone replied as he rolled his eyes. "We're fine. Look." He slid the blade across his forearm, wincing as blood leaked out. Red... juicy... blood...
I licked my lips at the sight of it, watching as it trailed down and dropped to the floor, one drip at a time.
I was so thirsty...
"Hey, can you quit drooling? It's creeping me out!" Sapphire blurted, glaring at me as she held the knife against her arm.
I snapped my mouth shut, quickly realizing I had been salivating and forming a puddle of my drool on the floor.
Sapphire looked back down at her arm, wielding the blade in her magic. In one quick motion, she slit her forearm open, exposing more red to the world. To me.
"See?" She said, wincing as she tossed the knife back into the compartment. "Not infected."
"Alright, fine... You can come in... But Charger, if you try anything, just know that we have a million different ways to kill you in here! No funny business!"
"Noted." I said in a deadpan, just before the door buzzed, and the latch released.
"Now get in here before you attract any attention... and close the doo-"
"Close the door behind us, yes, we know." Moonstone interrupted.
"Hey, better safe than sorry, alright? I'm just being sure!" The stallion on the intercom argued.
Upon entering the room, I came to a pause. My heart stopped in my chest as I studied the large storage room that stretched on for what felt like miles. The shelves were perfectly lined up, carrying machinery and spare parts. I looked over the doorway behind me to see the white Steel Ranger emblem painted on the wall.
I had been here before...
Ponies, many of which appeared injured, lied in stretchers. Earth ponies and unicorns alike.
In here, I found the two races that once hated each other working together as doctors and nurses. As security guards. As engineers and mechanics, teaching each other what they knew.
I may have caused a lot of shit, but... I also helped create a union between the two. Where there was bad, there was also good. Through that, there was a chance to get rid of the bad and make things better as a whole.
"Charger." Moonstone said as he looked back at me. I focused on him as he nodded behind me. "The door."
I looked behind me, realizing I failed to close it. "Right..." I pushed it closed, to which I heard the latches click again.
As I turned back around to continue walking with the others, my forehoof kicked an orange, empty can.
"What...?" I spoke softly to myself as I picked it up with my claws. I turned it over to read the label on it. "Orange... Crush?" Wait, what the hell was this doing here!?
I looked up at Moonstone and Sapphire to see Tuner standing between the two of them, levitating two cans; one green, the other, orange.
"I've got my Sprite, I've got my Orange Crush!"
"What are you doing here, Tuner!?" I blurted, pointing a claw at him.
"Uh, Charger...?" Moonstone asked in concern. "You okay, bud...?"
I probably looked crazy... Judging by how everyone was looking at me, they thought I was.
But I wasn't crazy, he was right there, grinning at me with two soda cans! As clear as day!
"Relax, Chargie." He said after cracking the orange one open with a pop and a hiss. "They can't hear or see me. Just you, buddy." He drank from it and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Come on, Charger..." Moonstone said as he took a few steps toward me. "Let's go meet with the others... now that crazy has hopefully left the room..."
Hesitantly, I stepped forward, and the three (four?) of us made our way across the storage bay. I got a lot of looks from ponies along the way. Some were scowling or glaring, while others murmured to each other as they smiled; hope in their eyes. Some were terrified of my presence.
"You're big news around here, Charger." Moonstone said as we trotted down the aisles.
"Yeah, but... what kind of news are we talking about?" I asked, keeping close to him. Tuner was tailing me.
"A variety of sorts. Good, bad..."
"Us unicorns would see you as chopped liver, if it were up to us." Sapphire hissed as she looked over at me with murder in her eyes.
"Come on, now..." Moonstone intervened. "If it weren't for him-"
"If it weren't for him, I'd still have my fucking sister!" She snapped, turning the flames in her eyes on him. "If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be getting torn into by a bunch of shadows!"
"If it weren't for him, there wouldn't be an active resistance." He snapped back, glaring down at her. "If it weren't for him, Bristle's numbers wouldn't have shortened drastically. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't even have a fighting chance. Calm down."
She froze for a moment, before averting her eyes, looking the other way.
He sighed, before looking back at me. "So yeah... some unicorns still want you gone, but a lot of them have also opened up to the idea of you helping us, once they heard what you've been doing. All the earth ponies here hold you in high regards. We favor you. You've helped us grow confident enough to tell Bristle to stick it where the sun don't shine." He chuckled softly, before the light in his eyes quickly diminished. "Unfortunately, most of the ones that did... well, you saw the entrance to the bunker, I'm sure..."
I nodded. "Yeah..."
I thought I had been the only one that hated how things were run around here. I thought I was the only 'earth' pony that wanted change for the unicorns. The only one that wanted equality among the two races.
Because I thought I was alone in this, I never shared my thoughts with anyone, apart from glasses of whiskey and a picture of Snow Star and I that I had managed to sneak from a pre war camera. If I had known that a lot of other earth ponies were the same way, things could have been different. Much more different.
We could have built up the resistance from within the walls, rather than me being on the outside. There could have, possibly, been less deaths.
But then again, maybe not...
I noticed along the way to wherever it was we were going, a few couples that consisted of earth ponies and unicorns; holding each other close, kissing, reassuring each other that everything was going to be fine...
I could have sworn I caught a couple going at it in one of the darker, less populated aisles. The faint, stifled moans didn't help me predict otherwise.
Unicorns and earth ponies... Together.
Why did that seem so alien to me, all of a sudden? I mean, I was with Snow Star, she was a unicorn. I guess I was too, but at the time, I didn't suspect anything. I thought I was just a weak earth pony.
But seeing other relationships consist of the two races, it felt... new. Taboo, almost. It was pleasant to see the two races get along so well, and it made me think that secretly, this had been going on for a long time. Secretly, earth ponies and unicorns in the bunker had been seeing each other outside of Bristle's radar.
Now that he wasn't here, they were free to express their feelings for each other.
I appreciated that greatly. But... at the same time, it conjured up a sort of sadness. Snow Star and I... it was never gonna happen again. She was gone...
It got me thinking, however...
This was all manufactured through a chain of events. It all started with Snow Star and I meeting, and from there, falling in love as time went on. She was banished, which led to me constructing the plan to go after her and gaining the trust of the rangers, only to stab them in the back when the time was right.
That plan kind of backfired, seeing as for a moment, I forgot about these plans, back at Saddle... Back at the massacre...
Snow Star was, in a sense, the start of a resistance against Bristle as well. It wasn't just me. It was her. She was a key to the whole thing. She was a part of the resistance without even trying.
We came to a stop at a set of crates in the center of an opening, being used as a table to hold the maps of each level of the bunker, and a list of inventory they had.
A mare sat around the set of crates, looking through the manifest, but as the lot of us walked in, she froze at the sight of me.
"So it really is true..." She said, regarding me coolly. "You're really back."
"Don't sound too surprised to see me." I replied with a calm smile, to which she reached out a hoof.
"Can you really blame me for lacking enthusiasm?" She stated as I shook her hoof. She didn't seem too worried about the claws, oddly enough. Wasn't everyone here freaked out about the shadows?
Afterwards, she brushed a bit of her dark blue, white striped mane aside, revealing to me a jagged horn that had been crushed from her.
I grit my teeth at the sight, feeling my stomach turn as I observed it from where I stood.
"Crimson's doing. Not yours, don't worry... In case you thought you forgot..." She murmured as she ran a hoof along her belly. She groaned softly. "Lil' fucker's kicking again..."
Just then, did I notice her expanded belly.
She was pregnant.
"Who's the father, if I might ask?" I said as I moved my eyes back up to hers.
A hurt look grew in her eyes before she sighed. "Crimson's..."
"Oh..." I looked down, regretting asking that question. "I'm sorry... I didn't-"
"Only worthwhile thing the piece of shit'll have ever done is put a baby in me." She smiled softly, running a hoof along her belly. "Always wanted to be a mother. Now's my chance. Just wish the price of admission wasn't... Crimson."
I nodded slowly as I looked back up at her, to which she pointed a hoof at an empty spot at the crates.
"Sit. We're gonna have to do a bit of catching up."
I took my seat, to which Moonstone spoke up. "We couldn't find what we set out for, unfortunately. We'll be lucky if the other teams found anything."
The mare nodded, glancing between me and him. "You found something better. You and Sapphire, rest up for now."
"Thank you, Arctic." He replied, before the two of them stepped away from the scene.
She turned back to me with a faint smile. "I thank you for joining us, Charger. You'll make a valuable asset to the team."
"Funny..." I murmured. "The shadows told me the same thing."
"The shadows?" She raised a brow. "They told you? You speak to them?"
I raised one of my claws up. "I'm kinda one of them."
She nodded. "Okay, fair point... That might actually be able to work in our favor."
"How so?"
"You're able to communicate with them. Which means they're not attacking you, correct?"
With a shrug, I responded. "I guess."
"They so much as see anyone else, their first thought is to infect or devour. If you're an exception, then we can use that to come up with some sort of deal with them. Have a truce of sorts."
"I had already talked to them before I got into the bunker." I replied. "Told them they had to either go by my rules and not attack the ponies in the bunker, or that I wasn't going to help them with their task. They seemed to listen, but I'm still wary..."
"Wait, hold on..." She froze, thinking to herself before looking into my eyes; her brows knitted. "Their task? What exactly are you helping them with?"
"I'm not quite sure yet... Firebright told me that this whole thing started when the generator was activated, right?"
Hesitantly, she nodded. "That sounds about right."
"They wanted me to bring the battery here. The... anomaly, I guess." I slipped it out of my saddle bags and placed the cylinder capsule of contained energy atop one of the maps. Her eyes grew wide as she stared at it. "I'm still not quite sure what to do with it, but they're calling me someplace. Here, in the bunker. I can hear them in my head."
"I... see..." She murmured, looking back up at me. "Well, whatever it is, be careful... I have a bad feeling about putting those two together..." She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts as she looked down at one of the maps of the lower levels of the bunker. "Anyways, if they hold up to their word and stop attacking us, that means we only have the rangers left to deal with. But I'm still skeptical, so I'm keeping everyone on a tight leash for now." With a smirk, she kept her head down, looking up at me. "I know why you're here, by the way."
"You do?"
She lifted her head, leaning back a little. "You're looking for answers. Something that Bristle knows. Where you came from, apparently?"
"Do you know?" I asked, leaning forward, filling myself with hope that she did.
She shook her head. "I'm afraid not, but I know he slipped your answers into some white orb or something."
"Memory orb."
She shrugged. "I guess. Never heard of them before the disaster. Anyways, he left it with the rangers that chose to stay behind and attempt taking back the bunker. There's a unicorn trapped down there with them. Guess he's hoping you'll come after the orb, and his rangers will kill you."
"Well, he's right about me coming after it. But it won't end with me getting killed. Not if I have anything to say about it."
She nodded. "Do you want me to assign a team to help you?"
I shook my head. "No... Try and think of getting the other ponies out of here..." A mixture of rage, excitement, and justice blended together in my chest as my heart started to race at the idea that popped in my head. My hoof crackled with not anger, but ecstasy. "I think I found out how I can utilize the shadows."
Tuner stifled a giggle behind a hoof, before muttering to himself. "I know just what to play for the occasion..."
A grin began to form on her face as she regarded me. We were both on the same page now...


(((((((◉)))))))


"White Noise!" I called out as I walked the dead, abandoned corridors of the bunker. "White Noise, if you can hear me, we need to talk!"
"Not how you're gonna get their attention." Tuner said as he walked alongside me. "In order to get, you gotta give."
I sighed as I kept my eyes forward. There he was, not making sense again... "Why am I able to see you here? What happened?"
"What happened is your soul adapted to the battery. You're one of us for good now, Chargie. Forever."
I looked over to find he was beaming at me. I didn't like the sound of that...
"First came the music, and now comes the visuals." He continued. "I'm here, but I'm also not. Out here, I can't really do much, physically. It's rather unfortunate, actually. There's a lot I've been missing out on ever since I got sucked into this damn thing."
I shook my head as electricity coursed through my hoof. I needed to talk to her...
"Alright, Tuner... since you can see everything, then where is White Noise and the others?"
"Behind you." Her voice replied.
I spun around to see her standing there, smiling at me. She glanced at the ghost standing beside me and nodded. "Tuner."
"White Noise." He smiled, nodding back to her.
"Wait, you can see him?" I looked from one to the other, baffled with their acknowledgment to each other.
"We see everything, father." She said as she looked back at me. "And Tuner and I have some... business to tend to."
I raised a brow to him, but he simply shrugged with a faint smile.
"And what business is that?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
"A trade of sorts." Tuner replied quickly. "It's not too important."
I let out a sigh, before turning back to her. "Alright, fine. Don't tell me. Whatever, I don't care. But I need you to help me."
"Helping you would be helping us." She stated as she stepped forward. "Consider it done."
"... So you already know what I'm asking?" I raised a brow.
She nodded. "I do."
"Only the rangers..." I said emphatically as my brows knitted. "I mean it..."
"As you wish." She said behind her smile, before walking off down the corridor. "Follow, father. The others will meet us there."


(((((((◉)))))))


The steel reinforced door before me glowed red with violent tempered heat as the four lasers carved into it in a constant stream, until the cell was depleted of energy and popped out of the chair in that satisfying ping.
The shadows stood with me, waiting quietly.
Tuner had left. It seemed he was able to appear and vanish whenever he pleased.
The center of the door was a sludge of molten steel, sliding down from the hole I was in the process of digging.
I popped another cell in and aimed it back at the door, before someone stepped into my view from my left. Not of shadow, though they had the same glow in their eyes as the surrounding party.
I took a moment to study their appearance as they regarded me behind a soft smile, realizing before too long that...
... This was Happy.
Or more rather, this was what came from him.
I had White Noise, a mare version of myself. He seemed to have a mare version of himself as well. Though, this one had wings with black veins coursing through them.
"Is something the matter?" She asked calmly.
I shook my head in response, refraining from looking into her eyes any longer, as they hurt to do so.
"Good." White Noise filled in from my right. "Then get back to work."
I faced the door once more, aiming the legs of the chair at the weakest part.
This was it...
Once I pulled the trigger, dozens, perhaps hundreds more were going to die. All on my say so...
I wanted to believe that I had changed for the better; that I was fighting for a good cause. And I was. But I wanted this to all go a different way. A better way...
One that didn't involve bloodshed.
... But another part of myself reminded me of all the wrongdoings that were done not just to me, but countless others before and around me.
A rage brewed inside me like a thunderstorm from the thoughts, the knowledge, the memories. Every second, it grew stronger. A storm that summoned lightning the color of blood. Blood that wrapped around my hoof as an expression of the raging storm inside me.
I wished things could have been different, but the world didn't run off peaceful resolutions. If it ever did, it didn't anymore.
Fluttershy tried to make it work, but she failed. The world paid the price of her failure.
Happy knew what I was, and despite my countless attempts at running away from the truth of it all, I knew too. Some part of me always knew...
... That I was a killer.
I was a killer, and I was finally accepting it, for what came next...
I pulled the trigger.
As the door melted before us, I could hear the rangers on the other side, speaking in concerned voices to one another.
Hearing them on the other side of their faltering defense... Knowing they were still existing, still breathing... That fed more fuel to the fire within me.
The cell flung out from the chair, and after popping another one in, I stepped toward the door. It was still in my way.
The sound of wind rushing grew in my head. It took me a moment to realize it was one of Tuner's little games.
With my hoof bursting with electric red, I turned around and raised my leg up. The sound of wind grew more synthesized and louder, almost pulsating, before growing violent and agitated; swelling up. I raised my organic leg as well for more impact, before bucking against the weakened structure with all the strength I could muster.
As a crimson thunder roared, lightning blasted through the thick steel. Ponies on the other side let out the most blood curdling screams.
At that moment, the sound of violent wind broke away, and was quickly replaced with the chaotic riff of a heavy guitar.
As I turned to face them, I watched as they lied on the floor, becoming one with melting power armor. The heavy chugging of the guitar made itself welcome in my mind just at the sight. It was fitting for what was about to happen.
The rangers that I watched get assimilated earlier stepped through the opening once the electricity cleared, and began opening fire on the survivors at the far end of the corridor as their power armor took the hits of lasers in turn.
They exchanged shots as the afflicted pushed forward, but neither side was falling easily. Power armor was relatively good at protection against energy weapons, though it did leave rashes...
The rest moved in, and I followed after them; letting the music take over and be my motivation.
They charged forward like a swarm, ready to devour all that was in their way. I was among them now. I ran with them, ready to sink my claws and fangs into flesh.
Some of the shadows had been hit one too many times by the ranger's lasers, causing them to succumb and dissipate.
As I charged forward, I swung the chair around, unleashing the lethal wave down the corridor.
It cut through three of the rangers like butter, killing them instantly. Their armor made no difference.
A fourth had lost their foreleg and lied there, screaming behind the respirator.
The fifth ranger - the last one that was left alive and unharmed due to their cover - took off and ran.
"Get back here!" The crippled earth pony screamed behind tears. "Please, don't leave me!"
The empty cell ejected itself, but before I could reach into my saddle bags for a new one, White Noise levitated a fresh one into the slot.
She smiled softly at me, before nuzzling into the fur of my neck.
I looked ahead again, pulling away before trotting forward, chair ready.
I stepped past the injured stallion without so much as a glance. I was leaving him for whatever the shadows wished to do with him. Killing, assimilating, breeding... I wasn't going to get in their way.
I spun to my left, down the only path the corridor offered.
Several earth ponies and a sentry stood as a firing squad, and in a moment's notice, as I retreated for cover, a barrage of red death lunged at me.
One of these shots grazed the right shoulder of my barding. Even through the protection, the heat was sweltering; getting to me. I wanted to claw through my hide and remove myself from the prison I was in just from the feeling.
The afflicted rangers stepped past me, out into the open to return fire at the earth ponies.
The infected were bombarded with laser fire as they slowly advanced, and as time went on, a black, oily substance began dripping from their respirators, and tendrils thrashed out between the armor plating and the suit's frame.
I ran up behind them, raising my chair as the barrels emitted a red glow.
Lasers struck the underside of the base of the chair as I stood between the two armored shadows, and before too long, four red beams shot out across the long stretch, sweeping across the firing squad.
The sentry released an explosion the equivalent of a balefire egg upon contact with the chair's lasers, completely decimating the entire vicinity.
The heat from the blast sent me and the others backing away from the sudden wave of discomfort that washed over us like a flood.
The empty cell pinged out as I lowered the chair, allowing the two back legs to rest on the floor.
Holy fuck, this thing was amazing! I needed a name for this!
I had one in mind, too...
I was smiling just at the thought alone.
I ran with the shadows for the demolished entrance that once sealed off an atrium. Inside, I could already hear ponies crying and running for safety.
They should have known better than to side with Bristle. They chose the losing side, and now they were going to pay the price for their choices, and I was the one to give them what was long overdue.
I ran through the crippled doorway, looking for my next victim. Upon entering the atrium, my chest and face were blasted open with hot lead. I would have screamed from the pain, but my vocals had been torn through from buckshot.
Tentacles lunged from the gaping holes that the shotgun had inflicted on me, and despite my eyes being gone, I was still able to feel my target struggle as I grabbed a hold of them and pulled them in.
They screamed in terror as my tendrils worked around their mouth, forcing their way in.
As I pulled them in, absorbing them, feeling their vocals work tirelessly in futile efforts to scream around my tentacles, I heard others suffering the same fate.
Once my sight was restored, I saw ahead of me, a mare running towards a hallway on the far left side of the atrium, but in her panic, she tripped over herself, landing on her stomach.
She had no time to recover, as one of the shadows that chased after her slammed a tentacle into her back, digging through her hide as she screamed.
The tendril ripped back out shortly after, and with it, came her spinal cord, along with the skull that was attached to the end.
The shadow swung it around at a stallion that made the attempt to run past, but the end of the spinal cord slashed a deep scar along the corner of their mouth, ripping across half of their face. They dropped to the ground, screaming as they put a forehoof over their injury. They made a quick attempt at recovery, but the same shadow that attacked them thrusted a tendril down their oral passage, causing their screams to muffle as their throat bulged rhythmically. Their stomach slowly began to expand.
A sudden heat grew from behind for a very brief moment, followed by another stallion's anxious voice.
"Shit, come on!"
I turned around to see a ranger standing at a distance from me, aiming a flamer in my direction. Little spurts of flame spat out, unable to reach me.
The battery... It made his weapon malfunction, much like when I was being hunted outside of Saddle. Once more, it had saved me.
Once he realized torching me was futile, he spun around and ran for the opposing hallway on the far right of the atrium.
He didn't get very far, when a laser from one of the infected rangers struck the fuel tank, causing him to burst in flame.
His body dropped instantly, but he was still screaming, until eventually, his body fell limp and his voice was silenced by death's merciless touch.
With the shadows dealing with the last of the unfortunate souls in the atrium and making their way for the right corridor, I charged for the left. I had seen many others seek safety there, and many had gotten away.
In their panicked state, they had toppled over some, and while most of the survivors had gotten away, there were a few that were left behind and crippled, all of which were left without armor or weapons.
Seeing them crawl for dear life... Hearing their pleas... It made me grin. I lusted for vengeance.
I charged forward for the closest one, and as I leapt, I positioned the four legs of the chair to all meet as I held it over my head with both claws.
As I descended atop them, I swung the chair down, lodging the blades through their spine.
Pinned to the metal floor, they screamed as I stood over them on my hindlegs.
With a single mental command, the legs quickly dispersed, ripping the pony under me apart, spraying blood over me.
As a puddle of blood grew under their corpse, I ran for the next and slammed my electrified hoof down over their head, causing it to burst from the discharge.
For the third one, I slid one of the blades along the floor in a swift motion, decapitating them in one swing.
Red dripped from the blades of my chair. Blood stained my hooves. My chest, my face...
My mouth watered at the sight. Fuck, I was so hungry... So thirsty...
I brought a blade to my muzzle and began licking it clean. I couldn't resist. It was too good...
But it wasn't enough. I needed more... More blood. More death! More... MORE JUSTICE!
I charged down the remaining length of corridor. Hate and rage filled my heart. I wanted them all to suffer. I was going to make my wish come true.
With the door ahead of me being much less fortified than the first, all it took was one stream of my chair's lasers for it to melt away.
I could hear them crying. They knew this was the end for them.
I ran in as a green glow started to envelope in my sight, wherever I looked. The corners of my vision grew black with shadow as I watched my prey cower behind office desks and corners of the room, huddled up together, as if numbers were going to save them.
As I stepped further in, one of the stallions behind one of the desks pulled out a laser pistol and blasted my chest.
The searing heat burnt me from the inside, causing my anger and frustration to build as he continued blasting me. He should have aimed for the head!
White Noise stepped up beside me hastily, and as she pointed a hoof at him, tendrils lunged from her limb, wrapping around his neck and yanking him forward before he had a chance to get his fifth shot in.
Choking and gasping, he scrambled to get away as she let go, but I rushed in, digging my fangs into his throat as my claws sank into his chest.
As he bled out in my grasp, the others cried out; anxiety overriding their frail minds and hearts.
As I bit down with full force, and he choked on his own blood, I tore a chunk of flesh away, devouring it whole.
I was starving...
After moments of my victim struggling to keep his sorry little life going, the light left his eyes.
I looked to the rest of the earth ponies that cowered in the corner; the blood of someone they knew stained my muzzle.
White Noise and Happy's 'daughter' - whatever he called her - joined both sides of me as I licked the juices off my lips and teeth.
They screamed and fought with what little time they had left.
Those that weren't consumed were assimilated and joined the ranks of shadows.
The ones in power armor didn't stand much of a chance, either. The armor didn't make a difference when it came to the shadows.
The music faded as the last one was killed.
Just as we were about to go back to the atrium, did I hear the babbling of an infant.
White Noise and Happy's other, both of whom were in front of me, stopped dead in their tracks, before turning around.
I turned shortly after, to which the infected followed.
White Noise's staticy aura enveloped the desk, where the sound was coming from, before shifting it to the side.
Sitting on their haunches was a mare, holding a foal that had very recently been brought into this world.
She whimpered, shielding the infant from our sight.
"Please!" She begged. "Don't hurt him!"
At once, two of the afflicted charged forward.
"No!" I shouted, running after them. "Leave them alone!"
Somehow, they were much faster than I, and upon reaching the mother and her child, one of them shoved her down to the ground, while the other ripped the now bawling infant from her arms.
Just as I was about to intercept what was happening, did a tentacle wrap around my hind leg and abruptly pull me away, throwing me down to my stomach. Before I had a chance to use the chair, Happy's other snagged it from me.
"Please!" She screamed in desperation, trying to get back up. "Take me! Just leave him alone!"
A black tendril lunged out from the afflicted pony's mouth, before jabbing its way into the foal's oral passage like a knife.
He screamed in clear discomfort and terror, but after a second, the intruder slid back out, to which the afflicted threw him to the ground.
He screamed and cried, as did his mother, as he seized and spasmed uncontrollably.
I watched in horror as black veins rushed through the infant's body. His hide began to split apart, letting blood flow freely as he writhed around.
Second after second, he deteriorated, until eventually, it came down to the same black, oily ball of tentacles that I had regurgitated back in Saddle.
It let out a shriek as it charged for the weeping mare. Her mouth was forced open by the afflicted that kept her pinned, and that's when I saw that she was done fighting. She lost what mattered to her the most, and now she had nothing left to lose.
The shadow that had formed from her son latched onto her face, despite my protests, before climbing in and traveling down her throat.
Her body spasmed as the afflicted let go and backed away, and within the span of a few seconds, she stood up, smiling as her eyes began to glow.
As her mouth opened, the shadow that infected her crawled out and went past me, for the corridor.
"Why!?" I shouted, spinning around to White Noise as she let go of me.
"You said rangers only, father." She replied with a grin. "She was a ranger. Her son would have followed in her hoofsteps."
"He couldn't even walk yet! You don't know that!"
"We have seen it all before." White Noise stated. "Born pure of heart in a world run by corruption. He would have submitted to it before he realized, much like yourself. There is no room for error."
"Tell us..." Happy's other started. "Not too long ago, you killed and tortured entire families. You went after their children. What makes this any different?"
"I changed." I said abruptly as my hoof flickered with each word. "I'm better now!"
"You have not changed." White Noise filled in. "Your agenda did. You remain the same."
Happy's other dropped my chair before me. "Next time you raise a weapon at us, you will not be given another chance to do so."
"Consider this your first and final warning, father."
A pink coated mare with glowing eyes stepped in, regarding me directly. Stopping at a distance, she set a memory orb down, before rolling it across the floor to me.
"Inside is that which you seek." She stated.
"She wasn't a ranger!" I pointed a hoof at the pink coated mare before me.
"She was infected while you were on the other side of the land mass. They had locked her away because of her infection, so we freed her."
I sighed, before picking up the memory orb and studying its glow. "Fine..." I muttered, before tucking it away in my saddle bags.
"Once you are satisfied, meet us at the generator. Do not disappoint us." White Noise added. "It is time for change."


(((((((◉)))))))


It is time for change...
Those words lingered in my head on the walk back to the haven for the resistance.
I didn't know the true goal behind the shadows, but I had a strong feeling in my gut that it wasn't anything good. They knew I knew something was up, too...
They weren't stupid.
They wanted this bunker for something. The generator, the battery... They were connected, somehow. And Tuner and White Noise had a deal on... something...
As I turned a corridor, making my way back up to the refuge several floors above me for earth ponies and unicorns, I was greeted with a stretch of hallway, filled with dead rangers, still encased in their armor. Though, I didn't see any physical signs of damage or injury on them.
That wasn't my main focus, however. What had my attention was what caused them to be in that state.
Standing at the far end of the corridor was a creature that stayed upright on two legs, encased in armor I had never seen before... much less the shape this thing took.
Claws wrapped around a ranger's neck as a light shined and flickered from the bipedal's visor. They didn't look sharp, however. They seemed a bit more round at the tips than anything else.
The body of the ranger twitched uncontrollably as the light faded, to which the creature tossed them on the ground.
"Another disappointment..." He said to himself.
As he turned to face me, I aimed the chair at him. "Who... or what are you?"
He regarded me silently behind his blank visor for a moment, before he finally came to a response.
"That's a chair."
"It's also a weapon!" I blurted, before reiterating my question. "Who are you!?"
His visor lit up for a brief second, and at that exact moment, I felt a small pressure begin to build rapidly in my brain, until the light vanished.
Finally, he replied. "My name is Rust. And you must be Charger."
"How do you know m-"
"I tapped into your head." He stated quickly. "I don't like asking questions. It's a waste of time. Much like this conversation. So I'm gonna cut to the chase. If you see Hollow again, put two bullets in her brain for me. One for me, and one for you."
"What? Why?"
"You'll figure it out on your own, soon enough." He began to turn his back to me, walking away.
I looked down at the several rangers that he had come into contact with. "What did you do to them?" I called out.
He came to a stop, before looking over his shoulder. "They didn't have any useful information in their head. I melted their motor functions." He paused for a moment, before turning to face me completely. He pointed down at the one I had watched him drop. "One of your rapists." He spun back around and walked away as he spoke aloud. "Eat your vegetables."
As his armor blended in with his surroundings, and he disappeared before my eyes, I looked down at one of my apparent rapists. My mouth salivated at the sight of his helpless body, lying there...
I was going to take my time with him...


(((((((◉)))))))


"Welcome back, Charger." The stallion said over the intercom to the storage bay as the door buzzed open. "Remember to-"
"-Close the door behind me, yes, I know..."
"Better safe than-"
"-Sorry. Yes. I know." I said flatly as I stepped in. I shut the door behind me, as instructed, before trotting across the warehouse floor, down the main corridor, towards Arctic.
I was still rewarded with the same looks as before.
Smiles and nods from all the earth ponies, very few unicorns, and glares of hate from everyone else. No one seemed to pay any mind to the blood that stained my coat, oddly enough.
As I stepped into the opening that was made out to be the planning room, I saw Arctic sitting at the makeshift table, rubbing her temple with a hoof.
Upon me trotting in, she looked over and smiled wanly. "You're back."
I unfolded my chair - the legs still drenched in the blood of my enemies - and sat down.
She glanced down at the blood that dripped onto the floor, to which I nodded.
"They're all dead now."
She nodded back. "And the unicorn in there with them?"
I shook my head in response. "I'm sorry, but she was infected before I could even get to her..."
She sighed as she hung her head down. "Damn it... Well... at least we have one less problem to deal with..." She regarded my chair for a moment, before raising a brow to me. "Your chair... Please tell me that has a name. A weapon like that needs a name."
"Chair." I said simply.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Her name is Chair."
She deadpanned for a moment. "C-Chair..." She muttered in disbelief.
"It's an acronym. Compulsive Hatred Against Irredeemable Rangers. Chair."
"Chair..." Her eyes lit up at the name. "Fuck, that's awesome..."
I nodded quietly as I pulled out the memory orb I had obtained from the shadows.
She bit her lip nervously at the sight of it.
"Is something amiss?" I asked, regarding her with a tired expression.
She took a moment to collect herself, before looking me in the eyes. "A stripe came by here, asking for you by name. She had a group with her..."
"Hollow." I stated with a deadpan.
Why was she here...?
"She told me if I see you again, to keep you from looking in that memory orb." She nodded to the item of interest, glancing at it. "Then she left, presumably to intercept you before you came back. Said that life is easier to live with eyes closed... Very strange, that one... Never saw that pattern of stripe before... Not to mention the horn..."
My deadpan turned into a scowl as my hoof crackled with anger.
"You're not stopping me..."
She cracked a smile as she leaned back a little. "That wasn't my intention." She stared mirthlessly for a moment, before continuing. "You chose to help us. You came to us to try and fix what's broken. So I want to help you. I'll let you into that memory orb, if that's what you really want. But ask yourself... Do you really want this? This Hollow of yours is right. Sometimes it's best not knowing..."
I clenched my jaw, trying to suppress my anger as I listened to her.
"I don't know what's happening, but she seemed determined on keeping you out of it... I mean, she was bawling her eyes out."
"Wait... really?" I raised a brow as I sat up.
"Mhm... So again, I ask... Do you really want this?"
Hollow was scared... Scared that I'd know the truth. That didn't sit right with me. She knew something. And she told Arctic the same thing that Tuner told me when I first found out I was a unicorn. Life is easier to live with eyes closed...
What was her involvement in all this? What the fuck was she trying to hide from me!?
"I want this." I said in a monotone.
Arctic nodded. "Very well. I'll pull Sapphire Star, so she can transfer you into the orb."
With that, she stood up and waddled away, leaving me to deep, dark, dangerous thoughts.
One thought specifically kept coming to me. One that conjured itself the moment I met Rust and found out who he was.
He was here. Looking for her. Rust, the hunter she spoke of. Whenever she used her horn, he could apparently track the signal. Which meant she teleported herself, along with my friends, here. To the bunker, where I spent most of my life.
But there was a problem with this picture...
Unicorns could only teleport to a place they've been at before. A place they knew...
Why would it be any different for zebras?
... Hollow was here before...


(((((((◉)))))))


I was thrown in a world of pain that I was all too familiar with, due to the broken hind leg of the host I occupied.
She cried out and panted as she lied there, looking up at the one and only Bristle.
Two rangers stood at his side as laser rifles and flamers went off outside of the room they were in.
An alarm blared throughout the facility, and with it, I heard the shadows roaring and hissing.
"Focus!" Bristle shouted. "Your life depends on it!"
She nodded as she whimpered, trying desperately to silence herself. She put a forehoof to her mouth, biting down to try and subdue the pain by adding pain elsewhere.
Bristle smiled softly, before giving a brief nod.
"Charger Outlet Surge... You've caused a great deal of trouble for me. And for what? Answers? Or did you seriously want something more for your horn headed freaks?"
"Sir!" A ranger rushed in. "Sir, we need to evacuate you! The lower sector's been compromised!"
He turned to the ranger and sighed. "Prepare my vertibuck. I'll be there shortly."
The ranger saluted him, before spinning around and bolting from the scene.
Bristle turned back to my host.
"Unfortunately, it seems I have to cut this short. But if it's answers you want... Here's your fucking answers, you filthy little hornless orphan."
At once, the scene changed to a mare lying on her back, crying as her body was pushed up and down with each thrust my new host gave.
Fuck, no!
I could feel her from the inside! This wasn't what I wanted! Get me out!
She pleaded for him to stop, as did another stallion, but as time went on, his climax grew closer.
He went hard on her. Made sure it would hurt her...
I was forced to watch. Forced to hear. Forced to feel her. Forced to hurt her, rape her...
From beginning to end...
Once he finished, he pulled out, still throbbing as he panted, looking down at her.
She whimpered softly to herself as she curled up, crossing her legs to shelter her sore nethers.
She had a snow white coat, and a dark purple, long flowing mane and tail. Her eyes were green...
Finally, he tore his eyes off her, looking at two dark orange stallions, both of which were almost identical to each other. Yellow eyes, dark, midnight blue manes... The only difference I could see from them was the cutiemark and the style of their mane. The one that tried to avert their eyes from this had long hair that hung down past his shoulders, which remained just a little messy. His cutiemark was that of a voltage sign.
The other, whom I recognized, looked down at the weeping mare as he stroked himself, keeping himself aroused. He had a short, spiky mane, and his cutiemark was that of a gatling laser blasting red death.
Just then, did I notice we were in the storage bay that was being used as shelter for the resistance in the present...
"Your turn, Crimson." My host said, revealing to me that it was Bristle I was occupying.
"Please..." The other one started, looking at my host with plea. "Please, no more. It's my fault. Punish me. Just leave her alo-"
"Shut up, Voltage." Crimson said as Bristle backed away from the mare.
Crimson stepped over her, forcing her legs apart before sliding inside her while my host watched.
Unable to close his eyes or turn away, I was forced to watch... Forced to hear her beg for it all to stop...
I wanted out. I shouldn't have expected less. I was given ample warning, and I didn't listen. And now the very first experience I had with my mom, was me indirectly raping her...
This wasn't what I wanted. But this was the truth...
Life was easier to live with eyes closed...
Voltage turned away from the scene. I couldn't blame him. I wanted to as well... But to my misfortune, I didn't have such luxuries...
This was the price I paid for seeking the truth. I walked into this...
I should have known better.
Once Crimson was done, he pulled out and looked at Voltage, panting. "Now you."
"What?" Voltage balked. "No! I'm not-"
"Rape her, or I'm putting a bullet in your fucking skull!" Crimson shouted. "I don't care if we're related! You know how I feel about family!" He stepped forward, glaring at him. "Now get over there, fuck her brains out, and finish."
"No!" Voltage shouted back. "I don't care if you kill me! I'm not hurting her!"
"Then let me simplify it for you." Bristle said as he stepped up. "Either you rape her, or I'll send her out in the wasteland, where the raiders can take turns on her until there's nothing left."
His mouth hung open for a moment as he stared at him. "Please... Don't put her through anymore... I'm begging you..."
"I'm not gonna say it again." Bristle stated with impatience in his voice.
Voltage sighed as he hung his head down.
"Fine..." He muttered. "I'll... I'll do it..."
I understood why he agreed to rape her. It was messed up regardless, but he was doing it as an act of mercy. Throughout his time with her, I was seeing that. For one, he was gentle. Under his shaky breath, I could hear him whisper apologies to her every so often.
She whimpered softly with each thrust he gave, looking up at him with a pain in her eyes. She didn't fight him or tell him to stop, though... She didn't beg for him to stop...
As he reached his climax, his moans broke down into tears, before holding her close.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't want to!"
She lied there, looking up at the ceiling, frozen stiff.
Bristle rolled his eyes just as he looked up from her. "Alright, enough of the sentiments..."
Crimson started to move towards them, before the scene abruptly changed.
The setting still took place in the storage bay, but there was a bit more company than last time.
Me...
Screaming and bawling as a foal as the mare Voltage raped held me close. And low and behold, there was my horn...
Voltage stood between her and Bristle, glaring at him.
"I can't let you touch them, sir." He stated, keeping his eyes fixated on Bristle's. "I'm sorry, but I'm taking it upon myself to take care of her and her child. If you wanna banish us, then fine. But I ask that you leave us alone."
"You have no room to negotiate with me." Bristle hissed. "Move. Aside. Or I'll have you shot. I'm not telling you again."
Voltage's lip quivered a little. I could see tears well up in his eyes, and shortly after, one rolled down his cheek.
Regardless of his fear, he closed his mouth and stood tall and strong. "No."
At once, his head was burst open at the sound of a gunshot, and his body fell limp to the ground.
The mare wept as she backed away. "Voltage, no!" She looked up at Bristle, glaring. "You're a monster!"
"This is the last time you're breaking the rules." He turned to Crimson, who stood at his side. "Kill her and that screeching abomination."
"With pleasure..." He replied as he moved forward.
The mare spun around and tried to run the other direction. In that moment, I caught a glimpse of her cutiemark. It was that of a cogwheel.
Before she could take off, he bit down on her tail and dragged her back, before letting go and quickly lunging forward, slamming his forehooves into her spine.
Screaming, she collapsed onto her stomach, nearly dropping my infant self, who increased in volume.
She held me close to her chest, bawling.
"Please, no!"
"Shut up, you sneaky little cunt!" Crimson shouted, before stomping his forehooves into the back of her skull.
She released me at that moment, to which I slid across the ground, just out of her reach.
I saw something on my flank... Something that didn't belong there. No, that wasn't possible! There was no way that was possible!
I had my cutiemark as an infant!?
"Charger!" She screamed, keeping her eyes on me.
Again, he pounded into the back of her skull.
Bristle walked to her front, looking down at her as she lifted her head off the ground. Blood dripped from her lips and nostrils. Yet she stayed fixated on me all the while, reaching a hoof out to try and touch me.
"Ch-Char..." She stuttered from the brain damage Crimson was inflicting on her...
Another stomp over her head, and her eyes started to lose focus. "Charge... er..."
BAM!
"... C-Ch... Sur... ge..."
With one more bone crushing stomp, her brain was left exposed for all to see as blood gushed from the gaping wound the size of Crimson's hoof.
"Now for that rat that came out of her..." Crimson said as he stepped toward me, leaving behind hoofprints painted by my mother's blood...
"Wait..." Another mare said as she trotted up.
I knew that voice...
Bristle looked up from my mother's nameless corpse to see...
... What... the... fuck was Hollow doing here!?
Thorne was in the background, holding a very young filly in her arms.
Firebright...
"I ask that you don't kill him." Hollow said calmly, looking at Bristle without even an ounce of fear.
"That thing is the result of a broken rule!" Bristle shouted as he pointed a hoof down at me. "Too many mouths to feed as it is! I won't waste my resources on-"
"I'll take care of him." She interjected without so much as blinking.
"You?" Crimson asked in disbelief, looking back at her with a raised brow. "A stripe?"
"Me." She replied simply, looking back at him. "A stripe." She turned her attention back to Bristle. "I've been loyal to you, and I've done everything you've asked without question, without fail. As per our contract. Please, Bristle. Let me have the child."
"You would play as that thing's mother?"
She nodded. "I would. I will. If you grant me the permission."
"I can give you your own child." Bristle stated. "One of your own making. Why do you want this one, specifically?"
She gave him a sad smile as she ran a hoof over her belly. "I'm salted earth..."
He paused for a moment, before stepping away. He waved a hoof to me, rolling his eyes again. "Fine. Just shut the little shit up, already..."
Crimson backed off as Hollow stepped forward. She carefully lifted me off the ground, cradling me in her arms. "Hey there, little one..." She spoke in a soothing voice. For some reason, the moment I heard her voice as an infant, my tantrum started to quickly diminish.
I looked up at her and babbled softly as I reached both fores up for her face.
She smiled softly as she brought me closer, to which I ran my hooves along her blackened muzzle, giggling softly.
"Seems you two have a natural bond..." Bristle muttered. "At least the rat stopped screeching. I want that horn removed, and make sure he can't reproduce later on. Last thing we need is more fucking unicorns..." He turned to Crimson soon after. "This incident. I don't want this ever happening again. Gather up every unicorn, sedate them. They can't know about this. Every horn head is getting microchipped from now on. Starting with that one." He pointed a hoof to me, looking back at Hollow. "We can't have them wandering around like this ever again..."
Hollow ignored his statement, sitting on her haunches as she cradled me. As if nothing happened, I began giggling cheerfully as I pressed my face into her chest, smiling.
"Charger..." She whispered, looking down at me with a soft smile. "Charger Surge... It's a lovely name..."
> Channel 002.8; Talk
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please assume the position.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I sat alone, next to the crates that were being used as a table for the planning area in the storage bay of the bunker. My head was cast down, and before my hooves was a broken beer bottle and three used Med-x syringes. It felt good not feeling...
A simple tune that of an acoustic rang out abruptly as I started to speak to myself. A light shined down on me like a spotlight while the rest of the room stayed as dark as the void I longed for. With each strum, I felt something pull at the heartstrings in my chest.
"Well, I'm cracking one open with the boys, by myself..." I let out a pained chuckle that was getting ready to become a flood of tears. I picked up the broken bottle and put the neck to my lips. "And everybody thinks that I need professional help." I shook my head softly as my broken voice started to sing a song I had never once heard in my life.
"But I don't wanna think about that anymore, and just because I woke up on someone's floor, and asked who the fuck am I?"
I cracked a smile as I closed my eyes, keeping my head down.
"... I didn't know it felt good to cry..."
At once, an upbeat tempo began, mixing in with a softcore punkrock tune as the room lit up in various colors, like that of one of Tuner's clubs. As it did so, I bobbed my head and stood up. Tears streamed down my face, yet a smile remained on my lips.
The beer bottle that my claws had wrapped around morphed into an Orange Crush can as Tuner appeared in the corner of the room with his studio set up. He beamed at me, and I at him, as we both danced to the beat of the music. I resumed singing.
"Yeah, started from the bottom and I'm still at the bottom! And I spent the night in jail, turned out it wasn't the bottom! And I lost so many friends who knew that I was the problem! And my life is like a pill that's getting harder to swallow!"
I choked behind a series of sobs and tears, before working my way through and singing the lyrics that remained a mystery to me, yet I somehow knew.
"Every girl I never had! Blame it on my mom and dad!" I shook my head, smiling ecstatically as I spun around in a dancing motion to a projected image of Snow Star frowning at me, brought to me by Tuner's stupid magic. "And I don't need no one, wish I had someone, anyone!"
"Well, I'm cracking one open with the boys, by myself!" Tuner and Happy appeared by either side of me, while the rest of the party in the battery watched from a distance in worry. Well, except for the dragoness referred to as Six and the angry pony known as Four... They seemed annoyed being here.
But hey, life's a sadistic, fickle bitch!
Tuner and Happy both wrapped a hoof around my shoulder, and as the DJ and I turned to each other, we both sang in unison, smiling.
"And everybody says that I need professional help! But I don't wanna think about that anymore, and just because I woke up on someone's floor, and asked where the hell am I? I didn't know it felt good to cry!"
Tuner went quiet as Happy resumed singing with me, and as he let go, the serial killer pulled me in, and we spun around, holding each other by hoof and claw.
"Well, I fell asleep in summer and woke up in October! So I called up everybody but nobody came over!"
Happy and I both came to a stop, holding each other close. "And why does getting sober make you feel like a loner? And why does getting sober make you feel like a loner!?"
We let go of each other, to which I twirled away on an electrified hoof, before putting my other rear hoof down and sitting on my haunches. My claws met at my chest, as I looked up at the blinding light that shined down on me when this all began. Where it came from, was beyond my knowledge.
"Every girl I never had!" I blurted as tears flowed free. "Blame it on my mom and dad!" I shook my head as the electricity grew, I bit my lip in frustration as my core was set aflame. "And I don't need no one, wish I had someone, anyone!"
At once, as the song grew distorted and chaotic, another me appeared, screaming and bursting into tears as electric red spread across the entire room, burning anything it could. He stood up on his hind legs, smashing Chair's legs into the wooden crates over and over again.
"NO! FUCK! NO, NO, NO, NOOOOOOOOO!" He screamed in a fit of pure, unadulterated anger. "THIS ISN'T HAPPENING! FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!" After about half of the crates were destroyed, he collapsed on his back, landing on the glass of broken beer bottles and used Med-x needles. His chest rose and fell with deep, panicked breaths as he stared up at the ceiling, before they became a strong case of hyperventilating.
"I'M... I'M... I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL THAT SON OF A-"
"Well, I'm cracking one open with the boys, by myself!" I sung aloud, beaming back at Happy and Tuner as they joined me. The ceiling started to tear away like rubble, floating up into the sky. The light above grew with the destruction happening above. "And everybody says that I need professional help! But I don't wanna think about that anymore, and just because I woke up on someone's floor, and asked where the hell am I?" I picked up an unused syringe off the floor next to me, before biting the cap off and putting it to my arm, jabbing it in with a small grunt. I injected the feel-numb-to-feel-good medicine into my veins with a lucky hit. "I didn't know it felt good to cry..."
I collapsed on my back, staring up at the bunker's floors over me as they fell apart. The world... my world... fell into a vacuum as souls screamed.
The ceiling was ripped open, revealing to me in its entirety, the vortex... But in the center was that bright white light...
I reached for it... I wanted it...


(((((((◉)))))))


Everything around me was bombarded with electric rage.
Life was easier to live with eyes closed.
My stomach turned on itself from how sick everything in this world was.
Life was easier to live with eyes closed.
My lungs burnt like a flame, and my heart raced to the point of agony as I screamed and cried, kicking shelves and a series of crates that were once being used as a table.
Now they were no more than splinters.
Life was easier to live with eyes closed.
I turned to an audience that stood and watched from afar.
I saw worry. Pity. Hateful smiles...
My very first experience with my mother, and I ended up feeling Bristle rape her... I fucking raped my own mom through his body...
I had so many questions running through my head, and none of them were getting answered.
What made my cutiemark so special? What made me special? Who was my biological father?
More importantly, why was life such a fickle bitch!?
Only one feeling coursed through me now.
Rage.
A few of the earth ponies and unicorns that watched turned around, before stepping aside, revealing Hollow and my friends coming forth.
"Charger, let me explain..." She said quickly, before I could get a word out. I glared at her with murderous intent.
"You fucking knew..." I hissed as my hoof flared up. "This entire time, you knew! You were behind it all!"
"What exactly is he talking about?" Scope asked with a raised brow, regarding her.
"They don't know?" I asked, glancing at my friends as they stepped into the opening.
"Only Petiole and Thorne..." She whispered. "Charger, please..."
"Tell them."
"Charger, it's-"
"Fucking tell them, Hollow." A pebble struck my nose, but I didn't care. "Or I will!"
She sighed again, hanging her head down. She closed her eyes as she spoke.
"I watched Charger's mother die, and I did nothing to stop it... I took her position as Charger's mother." Scope looked from her to me, to her again, giving a questioning look to both of us. She continued. "I removed his horn..." She finally looked back up at me, speaking in a near whisper now. "... I microchipped him... and I-"
"Don't say it." I snapped, glancing at Aura. I couldn't let her know... "Don't you dare fucking say it..."
"Charger, I'm so sorry..."
"Don't." I glared back at her as the electricity in my hoof grew. The entire area around me was scorched with my rage, and most of the crates that had been used as a table were either smoked piles of ash, or fragmented into a million pieces.
"Charger..." She whispered.
"I think it's best if you left..." Petiole spoke in a soft tone. "Give him his space. Just for now."
Hollow looked from me, to Scope, to Petiole, then back at me. Her mouth opened to speak, but nothing came out.
That entire time, I glared silently at her. I could hear my heart beat in my chest, telling me to act on my anger. My hoof crackled violently, the more she lingered in my presence...
She abruptly spun around and took off, disappearing behind the crowd.
I turned my attention to Thorne, scowling. "You too."
"Me?" She balked. "What did I do?"
"You were there when it happened. Don't play stupid with me. You neglected to tell me. Leave."
She stood there for a moment, before quietly turning around and vacating the scene.
Firebright made her presence known to me once she stepped forward. I noticed a lot of unicorns glaring at her, but she did well to ignore it.
"Do you want me to leave, Charger?" She asked softly.
"You're fine..." I replied.
"C'mon, Sora..." Bullet whispered as she finally tore her eyes off me.
With that, the two of them walked away.
"C'mon folks." Cobalt said aloud, looking at the group. "Show's over! Now git!"
The audience started to disband and go back to their business as my friends approached. I was surprised to see Scope had stayed with me, though he was saying nothing.
I held my arms out as I sat on my haunches, watching Aura trot up to me.
My signal caused her to run into my arms and hold me tight, burying her face into my coat.
I gently ran my claws through her mane, before planting a kiss atop her head.
She was my daughter. I wasn't letting Bristle get in the way of that.
She was mine...
I let out a shaky exhale, feeling more tears burn at my eyes.
"Fuck..." My voice wobbled. A pebble bapped my nose, causing me to grit my teeth in annoyance.
Before I knew it, Aura was growling in annoyance as a sudden pressure slammed into my barrel, causing me to fall on my back.
Aura was pinned between me and Fluky as the two of them held me tight.
"Gah!" Aura shouted. "Fluky, get the fuck off me!"
"Robutt, no more running off like that! I mean it!" She blurted, ignoring Aura's wishes. "Do you have any idea how mad I am!?"
"I have an idea..." I replied wanly, holding them both close to me. "I'm sorry, but I was going to come back."
"Seriously, Fluky!" Aura screamed in frustration. "Get your fat, lard ass off me!"
"Hey, don't say that to Fluky." I said defensively, to which Astral filled in.
"Yeah. Otherwise she's gonna end up like Cobalt here."
"Hey!" She barked. "I'm not fat!"
"Could've fooled me, you orbit-having ball of potato chip grease and cake mix."
"That was one time!" She glared, looking like she was ready to hit him.
"Take it elsewhere." Petiole spoke abruptly as his LED flashed blue. He managed to keep his voice low, however.
I moved my eyes up to the ceiling as I heard two sets of hooves move away. They were saying something to each other, but I stopped paying attention to them. My anger was shaping into the same catatonic numbness I felt when I first discovered I was a unicorn.
Fluky eventually repositioned herself to where she wasn't crushing Aura and was still within arm's reach of me, holding me close.
Moments passed in silence as we held each other tight, before Petiole intruded.
"Fluky, Aura."
They both turned to him.
"Can Scope and I speak to Charger alone?"
Aura looked back at me as Fluky got up.
"It's okay, dear." I lightly poked her snoot, to which she scrunched it, going cross-eye'd.
Petiole turned to Rivet, who looked back at him, before nodding his head to the griffin's six.
Rivet turned to me once more. "If you need me, boss, I'll be-"
"I don't need you." I stated quickly.
He went quiet for a moment, before turning around and leaving.
"Come, children." Oku turned as they walked past him. Onyx followed by the zebra's side. Para was the last to leave.
It was down to me, Firebright, Petiole, and Scope.
Petiole stepped up to me as I sat there. He carefully placed a hoof under my chin, lifting my head up gently so I'd face his visor.
"I want to apologize to you." He whispered.
"For keeping things from me, I presume?" I raised a brow as I regarded him coolly.
"I only knew about your situation with your... testicles... That, and your horn..." He sighed softly, pausing for a moment. "Yes. I'm sorry for keeping this from you. I'm sorry for how I've been to you. I'm sorry for pushing you away when you sought comfort from me..."
"That makes the two of us..." Scope filled in, regarding me. I turned to him, causing us to make eye contact with one another. "Personally, I think you're very annoying. But regardless, I'm sorry for how I've been to you."
"Thanks, Scope... You really have a way with words..."
I sighed and lied back down. The room fell silent for a bit, and a tension began to rise. Eventually, I broke it. I couldn't stand it anymore...
"I..." I tensed up, looking back on the memory. "I was raping my mom through Bristle's body..." I shuddered from the thought... It hurt to speak that sentence... "My very first experience with her... My very first sight of her, and... fuck..."
I felt a cold hoof rest on my shoulder, and opening my eyes and looking over, Petiole was now sitting next to me.
"Let's get you washed up..." He whispered, before turning to my sister. "You. Cunt." His LED flashed red. "Are there any showers near here?"
She sighed softly to herself, before answering. "Not down here. Closest one is the one Charger always used."


(((((((◉)))))))


I sat on the shower room floor as I ran my forehooves along my body, washing away the blood of the fallen off my coat. Red and black ran down the drain.
I was mildly pleased to know the water talisman was still running hot water. The warm water from the showerhead had me sitting there for a good solid ten minutes or so as steam masked the air.
At least I was still able to enjoy hot water...
It was the only warmth I had left in a cold, heartless world...
No... No.
That wasn't true.
I had Aura. I had Fluky. I had friends. I had memories of Snow Star...
I thought back on what Thunderwing told me.
Make the most out of what you got...
I closed my eyes as I let out a choked sob, and before too long, a river of tears breached.
Damn it...
Just when I thought I didn't have anymore tears to shed...
The only reason my shower ended was because I was in there for so long, the water had gone cold on me.
Throwing me back into the cold, fucked up world of Equus...
I was greeted with Petiole waiting patiently in the locker room, upon leaving the showers.
"Hey..." I drawled.
"Hey..." He replied. "I heard you in there..."
"Oh..."
"Is there... anything I can do for you?" He tilted his head to the side a bit.
I pondered a moment before taking a step closer to him. "There is one thing..."
"Anything, Charger..."
"Hold me..."
His LED flashed blue for a moment, and I automatically felt rejection.
Sighing, I turned around. "Nevermind..."
"No, Charger, wait..."
Before I could walk away, he hugged me from behind, catching me by surprise. If he had been wearing power armor, I might have freaked out.
"Let's go to your old room, okay...?"
Wait, did he just... nuzzle my ear?
I was almost certain he didn't roll that way...
I looked back at him, which resulted in our muzzles lightly pressing against each other.
His LED flickered blue a few times, before settling on green again. He didn't let go of me, and he didn't back up.
I smiled wanly before whispering. "Where'd my armor go?"
With a hint of amusement in his voice, he replied. "Let me wash it, first... So... what do you say Your room?"
I nodded faintly, warming up to this idea. I had some hesitations, but... he was trying to comfort me. I wasn't gonna reject that. "A-alright."
For most of the time walking to my living quarters, the trip was silent. There were still dangers out here, after all. Even to me.
Along the way, however, as we were approaching my door, Petiole broke the long lasted silence.
"Just... please try to refrain from making any sex jokes. I'm doing this for you as your friend..."
"I don't think I have it in me anymore, Petiole..."
His LED flashed blue again as he spun around to me.
Just then, did I realize that could have easily been mistaken as a sex joke.
"Sorry." I replied as my ears wilted. "That wasn't intentional."
He went green again, just as we stopped at my door.
After examining the brace that kept my room sealed away, he looked down at my metal hoof, then up at me.
"Yeah, I'd rather you not get angry just for the sake of opening a door..." He said under his breath. "We've had enough of that for today, and that's a door that's difficult to close."
I nodded in agreement.
"Chair?"
"Next best thing." I unfolded Chair, handing it over to him. "I want to be able to close the door, so no lasers. I don't think I'm in any good state to be hitting things right now, so I'm letting you do the honors."
Petiole took Chair as he nodded quietly.
It took a few strikes against the brace, and by the end, I could tell Petiole was fatigued and in pain.
Once the brace fell to the ground, he turned to me and handed Chair back.
"I'll let you do the honors..." He said, panting softly. His LED flickered between green and blue continuously.
"You okay, Petiole?" I asked in concern.
"Hm? Oh. Yeah, I'm good... Don't worry about me."
I stared for a moment, before hesitantly opening the door. I found my bedroom was just how I left it on the fateful day that Bristle's chapter put me on my first day as a Steel Ranger paladin.
Hey, I totally forgot about the bottle of whiskey sitting at the table beside my bed!
I stepped in and jumped up on my old bed, before pressing my back against the soft surface. I stretched my forearms out as I closed my eyes, sighing as the aches in my body started to mix with satisfaction.
I didn't feel the glass of broken beer bottles in my hide anymore. My virus must have pushed it out without me realizing it.
I heard the metal hoofsteps of Petiole walk in, before he spoke. "Nice place."
I lifted the upper half of my body, smiling softly at him as I used my fores to support my weight.
He closed the door behind him, before moving his way to the bed and climbing over me.
His muzzle was inches from mine before I interrupted his actions with a hoof to his chest.
"Strip?" I asked with a sheepish smile.
"W-what?" His LED flashed blue again for a moment.
"I don't want to feel a cold, metal shell." I replied. "I want to feel you. I want your hide touching mine..."
"I..." He paused for a moment. "I don't think I have much body heat to offer..."
"Maybe not. But it'll be you." My smile widened a little. "Please?"
He pondered for a moment, staring silently, before he backed up and nodded. As he began to strip himself of his armor, I felt a twinge of guilt run through me. Something I couldn't in all fairness ignore.
"Hey, uh... Petiole...?"
"Yes, Charger?" He replied as he exposed his chest.
"I'm not making you uncomfortable with all this, am I?"
"No." He slipped one hoof free.
"It's just... you paused."
Another hoof. "It caught me by surprise. What with me being a ghoul and all..." Now I was able to see his barrel. "But I'm happy to help you." He paused as he worked on exposing his flank. "I appreciate the sentiment, by the way."
Last time I saw him out of his armor, he had a lab coat fused to his skin. Now it was nowhere to be seen. Hollow must have helped him with that when we were at her place without me knowing. Seemed to be a habit with her... Leaving me out of the know...
"I don't see why that matters." I stated as my brows knit. "Being a ghoul, I mean."
He froze in place; the armor resting at his hocks. "Thanks, Charger... But no matter how you or anyone else views me, I'll always see myself as a monster..." Finally, he kicked the rest of the armor off. All that was left was the helmet. "I'd kill myself, but I've already faced death before, and... I don't remember any lights or singing voices. Nor do I recall any flames..." He hung his head down. "Maybe I just can't remember or something... I dunno... But all I can recall is a black emptiness. I'm terrified of dying... again." He stood there for a moment, before looking up at me behind his blue visor.
"Sorry..." He continued softly under his breath. "You probably don't want to hear that kind of shit right now..."
"Petiole." I chided. "Never apologize for how you feel. It's good to talk about stuff. C'mon..." I cracked a smile as I regarded him. "Even surgeons know that."
He chuckled dryly, before lifting his helmet off and setting it down on the floor.
He climbed back up onto the bed and got over me, before lying down, nestling in a bit.
"Is this... okay?" He asked in a timid manner, occasionally glancing into my eyes, as if he were embarrassed.
"Mhm." I wrapped my hooves around him in a comforting embrace.
He smiled faintly as he lied atop me, though I could tell he felt a bit awkward about this.
"I know I should practice what I preach, but... try not to focus on what's real or not. Try and make the most out of what you got."
He gave me a sad smile for a moment, before delivering a single nod.
"Enough about me." He said as he nuzzled into my neck. "Right now, this is your time. I can tell something else is bothering you. Something more than you're letting on. You don't have to tell me, but you said it yourself. It's good to talk about stuff."
I scoffed as I laid my head back. He folded his fores on my chest as he awaited my response.
"I did, didn't I...?" I took a deep breath as I closed my eyes. Upon opening them a few seconds later, I looked back down at him. "Alright, so... it turns out that during our trek east, we came across a synth... of myself. A Coarser..."
"Really?" He raised a brow. "I mean, I suppose it makes sense."
"It does?" I gave him a skeptical look.
"Yeah. They could be collecting other ponies' DNA without them knowing and using that to start a mass production of synth models in a shorter timeframe. I wouldn't be surprised if my DNA was collected, back when they visited my stable." He paused as he looked up at the ceiling, pondering for a moment. "That... or the Institute is running out of ideas for original models. Since you're an icon of the west, I could see you being on their list."
"That's the thing though." I started abruptly. "I don't know what's worse. Everything that happened to me and my parents, or the very real possibility that it's all in my head. That my whole..." I paused as tears burned at my eyes. I closed them as they broke free, and I shuddered. "That my whole... fucking story is a lie, that my pain is fictional... That my entire past is just a bunch of ones and zeroes." I looked deep into Petiole's milky white eyes. "I mean... what if I'm a fucking synth?" More tears shed through as my voice wobbled uncontrollably. "Hollow said I'm not, but I can't trust a word she says now. So now I have no fucking clue, and it's eating away at me that I just might be a syn-"
The tip of his hoof met my lips, causing me to go silent as I stared at him. My vision was obscured by sorrow.
He shook his head slowly. "You're not a synth, Charger. A machine didn't birth you. A mare did. You have a soul." His hoof slid down to my chest again. Right over my racing, panicked heart that suffered through existential dread. "Right here. I can feel it. You're alive. Made of flesh and blood. You are not a synth." He cracked a smile after speaking emphatically in his last sentence. He stared for a moment in silence, before continuing again. "Now... what are you?"
"... A pony...?" I murmured as I wiped my tears away.
He nodded. "And what is your name?"
"Charger Surge..."
"Again." He whispered.
"Charger. I'm Charger."
"Good..." He rested his head on my chest and closed his eyes. "Never go back to the thought that you're a synth. I know for a fact you aren't."
"Thank you... Petiole..." I sighed softly as I rested my head back against the pillow.
He murred softly under his breath, and a little cloud of pink ran through my body. It didn't hurt... it didn't fuse me to anything. If anything, it... tickled, almost. It seemed I was invulnerable to the pink cloud that Petiole generated. That was a relief on my part.
"You're warm, by the way..." He replied softly, his lips pressed against the fur of my chest. "You feel nice..."
"I never... expected you to agree to... do this for me." I gently ran my claws along his scarred, deformed hide.
He smiled at my touch as I gazed into his eyes, once he lifted his head up. "I'm so glad you're here..."
He brought a forehoof to my temple, caressing the side of my head as his eyes stayed locked on mine.
I quickly moved in, pressing my lips to the tip of his nose.
He recoiled a bit, but he seemed mostly surprised.
"Too much?" I asked quietly.
He nodded. Reluctantly, I might add. "Sorry, Charger... But I'm straight. You're great and all... but it can't happen between us."
I shrugged as a small hope in me died in an emotional avalanche. I didn't have much energy left to show it, though. "Oh well. I had to try."
"I'm flattered..." He spoke quietly. "If things were different, I could..." His eyes stayed on mine for a moment, before he slowly inched forward, toward my lips. "... See it happening..." His gaze glanced down at my lips as I stared deep into his eyes.
His nose bumped mine as he pressed in a bit, but before our lips could meet...
He tilted his head to his right, kissing me on the cheek lightly.
As he backed up, I was left disappointed, but I couldn't help but blush, nonetheless. I placed a hoof over where he had kissed me, cracking a hint of a smile. He chuckled at my reaction.
"That's... about as far as I can go with that, unfortunately... I'm sorry..."
"It's alright, Petiole..." I replied. "Don't do anything you aren't comfortable with."
"Thank you for understanding..." He smiled faintly as his hooves folded on my chest again.
I glanced up at the top of his head, before cracking a smile. "Your branches are coming back."
He sighed exasperatingly as he deadpanned. "Yeah, I know... I'm gonna have to get them cut again..."
I studied the two branches poking out of his head for a moment. They were nothing more than nubs right now, but it gave me an idea...
"Or... hear me out..." I locked my eyes on his again with a slight smile. "You can have antlers."
"A-antlers...?" He frowned as he spoke in distaste.
"Yeah!" I beamed. "Be a stag pony! I think, if you let me touch it up a bit as it grows, it'd be a very good look for you. Not to mention useful for defense."
He nodded quietly as he thought to himself. "I... suppose I could give it a shot..."
"Great." I replied, reaching for my bottle of whiskey. "In that case, wanna drink with me?"
"Uh..." He stared at the bottle as it came between us. "I think it'd be wasted on me..."
"Nonsense." I chided. "You're my friend. Nothing is wasted on you."
"But... aren't the shadow things waiting on you...?"
I imagined he knew about the shadows seeking my help because of Hollow. She seemed to know everything about everything... much like Tuner...
"Yeah, and? This is 'me' time. They have to be patient."
"Are you... sure it's wise to keep something like that waiting? I mean, I'm not sure it's wise doing what they want, but having them wait sounds just as bad..." He stated worriedly.
I frowned at the concern he gave me, to which he continued.
"It's just... they don't seem like the type to keep... waiting..."
"They told me to come to them once I was satisfied with the truth. Well, I'm not satisfied. So I'm not going yet. You can either drink with me, or watch me drink." With that, I unscrewed the cap, grinning.
He smiled back faintly, though his eyes still spoke concern for the future. "Alright, fuck it... I'm in."


(((((((◉)))))))


I cracked my eyes open, feeling myself lying on the floor. The air was fresh and cool, and that first clue informed me that I was in the battery.
The first sight I was greeted with was the spider pony... thing... Eight.
He looked down at me, curiously tilting his head to the side, before blinking.
"H-hey..." I muttered as I slowly rose to my hooves. My actions made him take a few steps back in a startled manner. "Hey, it's okay..." I spoke in a softer tone.
He stopped, looking back at me as he blinked again.
I looked around my surroundings and found that we were in a desert plain unlike any other place I've seen.
For starters, there were three suns. Three! As if that wasn't weird enough, there were four moons up there as well!
Giant stone obelisks stood tall in the horizon, reaching up for the bright, cloudless skies. I was lucky enough to awaken in the shadow of one of them.
"H-how'd I get here?" I looked back at Eight. "Is this... is this your memory...?"
He nodded as he closed his eyes.
It made sense. I've never read about a place with three suns and four moons, nor have I ever read about spider pony things. The closest thing that came to mind was changelings, but Eight was without a doubt, not among the Changeling race. He was something else entirely...
Was he... extra terrestrial too?
Was this his home?
It was hard for me to believe I was actually seeing any moons up there in broad desert daylight. I had to look back up there a few times just to make sure I wasn't fooling myself.
"There he is!" Tuner called out from behind. I turned to him as he trotted over to us. I noticed Eight backed away quickly as he approached, keeping his eyes on him all the while. "Looks like you're just now opening your eyes to the infinite." He poked my nose with the tip of his hoof. I sat down instinctively as I scrunched it... for some reason.
"My... snoot." I put a hoof over where he booped me, looking at the tip of it.
He beamed at me as he tilted his head.
"Tuner..." I put my hoof back down, regarding him.
"Don't worry, you didn't die this time. You're just sleeping."
"That's not what I was going to ask." I replied.
"I know that." He grinned. "You want to know who your dad is."
I nodded. "Yes..." My ears folded back as I looked at him in desperation. "Please... Please tell me..."
I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder, and looking to my left, I saw... wait, Tuner was right in front of me just a second ago. I was looking right at him right before I felt his forehoof.
I turned back to where he originally was to find he was no longer there.
That wasn't teleportation magic. That was some weird duplication, mind-fuckery! How did he...?
"I'll say this much." He started. "Bristle is not your sperm guy. Aura isn't your sister."
"No shit." I deadpanned.
He nodded. "Either way, you're related to Crimson, considering him and Voltage were brothers. He's either daddy, or uncle bad touch. Regardless, it's a loss for you."
I paused for a moment as I stared. "You're... really not going to tell me, are you...?"
He shook his head. "Nope. It's against the rules of the game."
I huffed in annoyance as I turned my head away from him. "You and your fucking game... My life is not a damn game, Tuner. There is no fucking game!"
I felt him shrug, before taking his arm off me.
"Tuner..." I sighed, closing my eyes. I had high doubts he was going to give me an answer, but I had to try...
"What's so special about my cutiemark? My name? Why... How did I get my cutiemark?"
"Ding, ding, ding!" Tuner shouted. "There's the billion cap question! Time to spin the Wheel of Misfortune!"
I turned back to him just in time to see a female version of himself spin a wheel with lights all around it. It clicked rapidly as it spun around in a loop. Both she and him beamed at me as it ever so gradually slowed down.
Each little sliver of the pie was labelled with three question marks, each of which contained a different color.
Music of a gameshow played as the wheel continued to spin. The three of us fell silent. I waited for my answer, and they waited to give it.
The needle that clicked against the small metal rods at the edge of the wheel pointed down at one of the slivers that just so happened to be the same color as my coat, while the question marks were the same color as my mane and tail.
The one left of that was white, with one black question mark, and two white ones. The one right of me was striped black and white, with red question marks.
All the rest were colors I didn't recognize, when it came to other ponies or zebras.
Tuner levitated the slice that resembled me off the wheel. He brought it to his eye level and started reading from it.
"Now this is an interesting story." He stated. "You got your cutiemark in your mother's womb."
"What?" I balked. "No, that's bullshit. That's never happened in the history of ever! You're fucking with me..." I glared at him, but he shook his head as he lowered the sliver, smiling softly.
"Sorry, bud. It's the truth."
I shook my head and sighed. "Alright, then... Say it is true. What is my talent?"
"To fix what's broken." He and his assistant both spoke in unison. He took my hoof in his. "Your creation was the first step to just that, and as a result, you got your cutiemark." He brought my hoof to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss. "Your mother - both Hollow and your biological mom - saw that in you. So they gave you the name Charger. As a symbol." He chuckled as he looked back up in my eyes. "Guess fate has a sense of humor."
"Why Charger? What's so special about that name?"
He smiled wanly, before taking a deep breath. "A charger replenishes energy to electrical appliances." He replied in a calm tone. "Your job is to also replenish."
"Replenish what...?" I asked quietly as I raised a brow, to which he smiled brighter.
"Order to the wasteland. Fix what's broken."


(((((((◉)))))))


I awoke with my back pressed against my old mattress, holding Petiole as he lied on my chest. His presence alone made me crack a smile.
I opened my eyes and looked down to find his head resting on my chest; ear pressed over my heart.
"Hey, you." I spoke in a near whisper.
"Mm..." He groaned softly as he shifted a bit, moving his forehoof to his view. He turned his pipbuck screen on. "Morning, Charger."
"Morning?" I raised a brow. "We slept through the day?"
"And night." He added as he lifted an empty whiskey bottle off the bed. "I mean, we did drink half a bottle of this stuff. Makes sense."
I nodded as I felt a smile grow on my features. "You're a great kisser, by the way. Last night was fun." I gave him a wink, but he just deadpanned.
"Nice try, Charger. I remember everything that happened while we were inebriated, and there was no kissing or penetrating of any sort."
I chuckled softly as I stuck my tongue out playfully.
He sighed as he regarded me, but a smile grew on his features, nevertheless.
"Well... at least you're back to your regular self."
I frowned for a moment. "Not my regular self... But I'm trying to cope. It helps a lot that you're here with me."
He lightly tapped his hoof to my nose, but before he could pull away, I snatched it and dragged my tongue across his frog.
He gasped as he tried to pull away, and as I gave him his hoof back, I laughed as he stared at me in shock.
"Charger, that's gross!" He snapped, trying his best to keep his voice low, as to not break into a fit of violent coughing.
"Mmm... undead." I stuck my tongue out again, smiling.
He rolled his eyes and shook his head, before regarding me again. "So... I've been thinking... And... Well, if you don't get sexual on me... if you want me to, I can take a look at your testicles and see if I can't restore them to working order."
I deep shade of red started to grow on my cheeks. Wait, who turned up the thermostat!? It got really hot in here!
"O-oh... Uh... Heh..." Damn it, boner! Go away! He's just asking to do a medical examination!
He scrunched his muzzle as my excitement squeezed between our stomachs.
"Great... I made you horny... Can't believe that's all it took..."
"S-sorry, Petiole. It's... been a while..."
Thankfully, he nodded in understanding. "I'll keep that in mind." He took a deep breath. "So... do you want me to at least take a look?"
I nodded. "I'd... like that."
"Yeah, of course you would..." He deadpanned again. "Don't get lewd with me, got it? This isn't a date."
"Y-yeah..."
He got up on all fours, stepped back to the foot of the bed, and began his study.
Of course I had to get a fucking boner over this... That was embarrassing...
W-whoa, hold up!
I looked down to see him running the very tip of his forehoof around my junk! Damn it! This was torture!
"P-Petiole..." I moaned under my breath. "W-what..."
"Relax, Charger..." He replied in the same volume, before speaking up. "Well... your testes look normal on the outside. They feel normal, for the most part. I think I found were you got snipped. There's a distinct gap between the tube, right before going to your penis. There's a chance I could fix that, assuming I had the right equipment." He paused for a moment as he felt around some more. Ahh, damn it... "I'm not detecting any testicular torsion or unusual lumps, so that's a plus. And when I did your prostate exam, you seemed healthy enough. Do you have any pains down there? Anything severe?"
I shook my head, before looking up at the ceiling, resting the back of my head against the pillow. "N-no..." I proceeded to mutter under my breath. "Especially not now..." 
My bedroom door opened abruptly, and Scope trotted in. "There you ar-" He froze dead in his tracks as he stared at the two of us in silence. He was mainly focused on Petiole, who was in between my legs at the moment; his muzzle inches from a sensitive part of me.
I cracked a smile as I regarded the intruder. "It's exactly what it looks like."
Petiole sighed as he looked up at me from my junk. "Charger..."
"Am I... interrupting something?" Scope asked.
"No, not at all!" I beamed. "We got room for one more!"
"Charger..." Petiole growled under his breath.
To my surprise, I caught a shade of red grow faintly on Scope's cheeks.
"Alright, alright..." I looked back down at Petiole. "Once all this business with the bunker is over, we can look into the surgery. If you're still offering, that is."
He nodded with a faint smile, before standing back up and hopping back up onto the bed.
More snuggling? Yes please!
I wrapped an arm around Petiole, before looking at a blushing Scope.
"So, what brings you to paradise?"
"Uh..." He closed his eyes and shook his head. "R-right... Just wanted to check on you, see how you were doing."
I pursed my lips as I looked back up at the ceiling. "Still going through a mental grinder, and trying my hardest to climb out of it. What with Aura being Bristle's biological daughter, Hollow being my adopted mom this entire time, me having a cutiemark as a foal, the microchip, lack of horn, busted balls, and not knowing who my actual father is... I'd say I'm fucking peachy."
"I get that..." Scope replied softly. "Not quite on your level, but... Not knowing who your dad is."
"Really?" I raised a brow to him, to which he nodded.
He stared for a moment, yet at the same time, it was like he was looking somewhere else. Someplace deeper, in a realm I couldn't see. His lips moved, as if he were trying to say something... A glint of light reflected off his eyes from my bedroom lights.
Finally, as if he forgot to breathe, he took a huge gulp of air, focusing back on me as he started to speak again.
"I was... really young when my mom died. So most of my memories of our time together is foggy. But I know that with the way she spoke of him, she loved him. Honestly, though... If she told me his name at one point, then it's forever lost in the deepest parts of my mind." He paused as his eyes grew distant, staring off into the emptiness, letting it take him as he faced me. The room fell silent for the longest time, before his focus was back on me. "I was lucky to have known her in what little time I did. I see that now that I know you."
"Oh... What... What was her name...?" I asked softly, fearing that it was a sensitive topic.
He smiled softly, though for a moment, I could have sworn I saw tears emerge from his eyes and slide down his cheeks.
"Velvet Vector." He paused as he tried to gather his mental state. I could see it in his eyes. I could feel it... "Yours?"
"I..." I froze as I regarded him. "I don't... know..."
He frowned as he cast his eyes down, almost like he was ashamed to meet my gaze. "Sorry... Maybe Hollow knows?"
"I don't trust her."
He nodded, before looking up at the ceiling. It seemed he was trying to avoid looking at me now. "I know... I know. But... you gotta talk to her eventually. If you want more answers, she seems like the one to go to to get them."
"Don't rush him." Petiole started. "He will when he's ready."
"Not rushing." Scope replied with a somber look, turning to the ghoul atop me. He glanced at me for a moment, before looking back at him. "No pressure, of course."
I nodded as I sighed. "He's right." I turned to Petiole shortly after. "We should get back soon anyways."
Petiole nodded once, before getting off of me and going for his armor. I rolled off the bed, landing on my hooves. For a moment, I scanned the room for my barding, but it took me a bit to remember that Petiole was gonna wash it first.
"By the way..." Scope continued as he pulled something from his saddle bags. "You left this behind."
I looked down at his extended forehoof to see a bulky, metal bracelet. My pipbuck!
"Thanks, Scope..." I took it and began latching it back on its former hoof.
"I spent the better part of four hours trying to convince your daughter to give it to me, so... you're welcome." He replied in a slightly snappy tone. He seemed irritated about the whole thing.
"With what little I know about her, I believe it." I replied with a half smile as I put my hoof back down. "Shall we?"


(((((((◉)))))))


The walk back to the storage bay was quiet for the most part. Any conversation that happened was initiated by me. I wasn't too surprised, since Scope wasn't much of a talker to begin with.
"So what's your take on this?" I asked after minutes of venturing through the dead silent bunker levels. I regarded Scope as he trotted by my side.
"On Hollow, you mean?" He glanced over at me for a moment.
"Yeah."
He let out a soft sigh as he continued looking forward. "At first, I was against what she did. But I had a feeling there was more to the story. After all, there always is. So I did some digging." He looked over at me once more. "Keep an open mind, Charger. I'm still not 100 percent on board with what she did, but she holds a convincing argument."
I wanted to be mad at his response, but in a way... he suffered through the same thing as me. Maybe not exactly, but close enough. If he was telling me to keep an open mind, then I was going to listen.
As the door to the warehouse buzzed open and we stepped through, Scope spoke up. "I'm gonna catch some shut eye. Your daughter kept me up all night with trying to get that pipbuck off her."
"Alright, Scope." I replied as he started to leave. "And uh... hey..."
He turned and regarded me silently, to which I gave him a wan smile.
"Thanks for checking up on me."
He smiled faintly in return, before turning away and trotting off.
In a flash, Fluky appeared before me. She shook her head and blinked a few times, before looking around, taking in her surroundings. Finally, her eyes rested on me.
"Hey, Robutt!" She beamed.
"No fair!" Aura shouted in the distance, running past Scope, who looked back at the commotion. "No teleporting!"
Fluky looked back at her as she approached. "You didn't make that a rule!"
Aura stopped before us, panting and heaving. "It's basic... fucking... sense!" She rasped, before looking up at me, smiling past her exertion. "Hey... dad..."
"Hey, baby girl..." I smiled back faintly.
"You good?" She asked with a hint of concern on her exhausted breath.
"We'll see..."
She huffed in annoyance as she glanced in Fluky's direction, before collapsing on her stomach. "That's it. Aura's tired! She requires assistance! She's out of commission!"
I chuckled softly as I lifted her up onto my back. She nuzzled the back of my head gently in turn.
"We're racing again later." She said, presumably to Fluky. "And no teleporting, Loopy!"
"It's Fluky!" She barked in an instant.
"No, no..." I started, regarding the floofy maned filly. "It's Flukes."
"St-" She let out a soft whimper as she looked at the two of us. "Well... at least nicknames run in your family." She deadpanned at the two of us as I stuck my tongue out in a playful manner.
"Ah, lighten up, Floops!" Aura said cheerfully as I heard her start to rummage around in her saddle bags. I heard the flick of a lighter, before smelling cigarette smoke. "It's all in good fun!"
Fluky simply sighed and started to trot away. "I'm gonna go. Somewhere else. Away from the two of you."
"Just be careful, Loopy!" Aura called out, to which the filly shook her head, nearly running from the scene.
I started walking across the warehouse floor, still getting looks. Though, I did notice I was getting less murderous glares from unicorns and more sympathetic eyes.
Aura perched her upper body atop my head as I traversed the floor. "So where you off to?" She asked, before taking a pull off her cig and blowing a torrent of smoke back out.
"I gotta go talk to Hollow." I replied in a somber tone.
"Oh shit." I could tell with the way she said that, there was a smile on her face. "Want me to go beat the everliving shit out of her?"
I sighed softly. "That won't be necessary, dear."
She took another pull off her cig, before blowing more smoke out ahead of me. "Alright, well if you change your mind, just give the word, and I'll give her the ol' one, two." There was a brief pause before she resumed. "You got some awesome music in your pipbuck, by the way. I was going through some of it last night. Never heard anything like it."
"I'm glad you had a good night, Aura. But you should really get some rest."
She scoffed before muttering to herself. "Yeah, tell me about it... I'll wait for you a few aisles down from Hollow. She's been hanging around the planning area ever since we found you." With that, she hopped off my back and stumbled off into an aisle.
"Thanks, Aura."
She smiled wanly back at me, before traversing further in.
I stepped into the opening to find Hollow, Sora, and Bullet sitting at the bundle of crates. The ones I had destroyed had been cleaned up and replaced with new ones.
At once, Hollow turned her attention to me; worried, judging by the expression she gave.
I glanced at Bullet and Sora. "May I have the room, please?"
Bullet nodded and looked to her friend. "Come on, let's go get something to eat. I smelled bacon earlier, and I want me some of that."
Sora gave me a sorrowful look before trotting away.
Bullet looked at both Hollow and I for a moment. "Play nice, you two."
I turned away from the two of them; my eyes now fixated on Hollow's as hers did mine, throughout the time it took for Bullet and Sora to vacate the premises.
"Charger, I-"
"I'm sure there's a good explanation as to what you did. Scope talked to me. I'm willing to listen. But you better make this good."
She hung her head down and exhaled, closing her eyes for a moment. "Thank you..." She looked back up at me as I took a seat at the makeshift table. "You're special, Charger. You're an icon of change. The moment you were conceived, your path was pre destined. You're part of a plan. You're designed for something big."
"Tuner filled me in on that." I replied simply.
She nodded silently, keeping her eyes on mine all the while.
"Bristle was going to have you killed. I intervened for many reasons. One of them being your cutiemark."
I raised a brow. "So... you kept me alive because I had a cutiemark...?"
She sighed and shook her head. "Another reason is because I wanted you to myself. Yes, I destroyed your horn, among... other things... But it was the only way Bristle was going to let you live..." Sorrow grew in her eyes as she regarded me. The glints of tears formed. "I wished there was another way, Charger. But look at you now..." A saddened smile formed on her lips. "You've been out in the wasteland for almost two months, and you've already made changes. You needed the pain to get to where you are now. To be the leader you are now. Ponies are looking to you. It's up to you to guide them."
We made eye contact for what felt like minutes, before I finally broke the silence between us. I wasn't buying it... "Snow Star. Was she a part of this plan?"
Hollow frowned as she shook her head. "I'm sorry..."
"Did you know she was dead?"
"Would you believe me if I said no?"
"No."
"Then what good was the question?"
Silence filled the air again.
My lips curled into a grimace before I spoke again. "So if you wanted to be my mother, then how come you were nowhere to be seen until just recently?"
She sighed softly to herself. "In order for this plan to play out properly, I couldn't be around by the time you were a toddler. It would have complicated things. But I kept tabs on you and watched over you in secret. Nursed you with the time I had with you. How do you think I found you?"
I folded my forehooves on the table, keeping my eyes on her. I barely blinked...
"I know what you're about to ask..." She continued. "I worked for Bristle for the same reason I worked for many others before him. I grew up in a tyrannical system, just like you. They... did things to me. As punishment for defending someone I cared about... I found that the best way to tear down a tyrant's order is from the inside. That's where you come in." She pointed a hoof at me and smiled with a hint of determination. "You're not just a part of destiny's plan. You're a part of mine." She paused for a moment. Her lips moved, but nothing came out for a few seconds. Her hoof dropped. "If you want me gone... if you hate me, I get it. I'll take my leave. But I want you to know that I'm here for you."
I stared for a moment longer before I closed my eyes and exhaled. My eyes burned from the long staring contest I initiated. "I want you to stay, Hollow. But... answer me this. Were you ever going to give me the truth about all this?" I opened my eyes as she stayed quiet, and as they met again, she spoke with sincerity in not only her voice, but her body language. I could see it in her eyes.
"Yes..."
I nodded and took a deep breath, closing my eyes again. "Alright... mom." I cracked a smile as I looked at her again, to which she raised a brow.
"Already?"
I shrugged. "Honestly? I don't know if I can think of you like that. Time will tell... But right now, I'm just trying to kill the tension..."
A sadness lingered in her eyes as she slowly nodded. "Right..."
"I want us to be on good terms again. I don't like what you did, but... you're nowhere near as bad as Bristle or Crimson, or even Fire, for that matter."
A smile brightened on her features. "Thank you for giving me a chance, Charger. I sought you out to make things right. I wanted to help you any way I could, because it was the right thing to do."
So that's why she kept using that to evade my questions in the past! Huh...
"Would you know who my father is, by any chance?"
She shook her head regrettably. "Not for certain, no. But I know for a fact it's not Bristle. It's either Crimson or Voltage. But... the chance of it being Voltage is less likely..."
My head quickly slammed down on the top of the crate in front of me before I sighed.
Ow...
That was a lot harder than I had meant it to be... I already felt a headache coming on.
Still, my head resided there.
"I want you to know that if I knew the answer, I'd tell you... You have no reason to believe me, and I get that. But I would."
"Yeah, yeah..." I lifted my head up. "I'm gonna go spend time with my daughter."
She cracked a smile as she nodded. "Okay... Take it easy, Charger."
I stood up and turned away.
I caught Aura a few aisles down, where I last saw her, carving something into the side of her gun with her trench knife.
I trotted up to her, to which she tore her focus off what she was writing and looked up at me, smiling.
"Hey, dad!" She said cheerfully.
"Hey, sweet pea." I replied, smiling softly down at her, before turning my attention to the scratchy writing on her gun, which read 'Mama's Gun.'
"What's this?"
She shrugged. "It's one of the songs I found in your pipbuck. I liked it, so I decided to name my gun the title of the song. Felt right, considering it used to, well, you know... be my mom's."
I let out a soft chuckle as I ran my claws through her mane gently. She closed her eyes at the contact as she leaned her head against my hoof.
"I haven't heard that one yet. I'll have to check it out."
"Mm..." She murred softly.
"Hey..." I whispered, nuzzling into her ear. "Do you got a cig I can borrow?"
She looked back up at me and nodded. "I got you." With that, she dug a hoof into her jacket pocket to pull out a pack and a lighter.
I took the pack and pulled a cig from the near-empty container, before giving it back to her and popping the cancer stick in my mouth.
She levitated the lighter to the opposite end, burning it as I inhaled.
As I blew a torrent of smoke out, she lit one up for herself, mumbling something to herself all the while.
"You alright?" I asked softly, to which she looked down.
"I gotta ask..." She said abruptly, shortly before exhaling the smoke from the cig that hung from her lips. "You run away often?"
"... Why...?"
She looked back up at me again, this time with a tired look in her eyes. "Gotta know if I should brace myself if I'm gonna be abandoned."
"Aura, I'm not..." I sighed and shook my head as needles jabbed into my heart. "Aura... I wasn't abandoning anyone. I wasn't abandoning Fluky, or my friends, and I especially wasn't abandoning you." I locked my eyes with hers. "I love you, Aura. I don't want to lose you. I was going to come back." I caressed the side of her head, brushing some mane aside. "I promise you, I was coming back..."
She stared for a long moment. I was unsure of what to think. If she believed me or not...
She levitated the cig from her mouth, moving it away from between us, and moved in, holding me tight. "I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt." She said as she buried her muzzle into the fur of my chest. I hugged her back and closed my eyes as a wave of regret washed over me from the outcome of my actions.
I hurt my daughter...
"Don't betray that..." She added under her breath.
"I won't..." I replied in that same gentle tone, just before kissing her on the head.
She pressed into my claws gently, murring under her breath. "I'm holding you to that..." She paused, and in that moment, I felt her squeeze me a little as she looked up into my eyes. "I love you, dad..."
My heart melted at those four sweet words being added together to form a symphony of emotion. The voice who sang the song to me tugged at my soul; wrapped around it in a warming embrace. I had the sudden urge to cry...
And low and behold, tears welled up as my voice began to waver.
"I love you too, baby girl..." I squeezed back.
Cue the waterworks...
My body trembled with each broken sob as I held her close to me. I didn't want to ever let go. I pretended that I was alright, but I was nowhere close to that. Deep down, I was a train wreck. And four words from a filly revealed that to anyone in the area.
"Hey..." She said softly. "What's going on?" Her hoof ran up and down my back in a consoling manner.
"N-nothing, sweet pea..." I let out a choked sob halfway through my response.
I lied...
What wasn't wrong?
"I just love you so much, Aura... I'm never gonna leave you..."
Seconds passed as we held each other tight, before she broke down into tears.
"I love you so much!" She blurted behind her sobs.
We both needed each other. She loved me because she knew me through Snow Star's memories. She developed a connection to me almost immediately when we first saw each other, because of Snow Star.
I loved her because she was mine.
Not in a biological sense, but that didn't change the love I had for her. She was mine. I couldn't let Bristle take that away from me... He wasn't going to get in the way of this...
I had to make her mine...
I had to make the most of what I had.
I had Aura, and I wasn't letting her go.
I lost track of how long we sat there in each other's arms, but by the time we had cooled down, my pipbuck read half past one, and both our cigs were no more than ash and burnt filters.
"What a waste of cancer..." Aura said with a snot-filled giggle as she wiped her eye free of tears. She groaned softly to herself and shook her head. "Goddess fucking damn it, I'm such a mess..." She ran a hoof down my chest, trying to dry up my coat. "I try to come off as strong, but it's so hard..." She hung her head in what felt like shame.
Nuh uh... I wasn't having any of that.
I lifted her head to look up at me as I slowly shook mine, smiling faintly. "There is no weakness in crying, love. You are strong. Just like your mother."
A hint of a smile crept up on her lips. "And daddy?"
I paused for a moment before chuckling softly. "Yeah!"
She giggled back, before holding me in a firm, loving embrace. She murred under her breath as her ear pressed over my beating heart.
The aisle fell silent for minutes on end, before she began to snore softly and weaken her grasp on me.
Smiling, I carefully set her down on her back and nuzzled her cheek, before placing a kiss.
"Sweet dreams, dear."
With that, I quietly stood up and left the aisle, leaving Aura to her slumber. I still had to check on the others.
I wandered the warehouse floor for a short while. Earth ponies and unicorns gave me sympathy. I was still wanted dead by many here, but I felt like more of them were starting to accept me as time went on.
I wasn't gonna ask for their forgiveness. That was something I needed to earn. Even then, there was a very good chance I never would.
But I had to do what was right. Not because I sought forgiveness, but because it was the right thing to do.
Ugh... I was starting to sound like Hollow now.
Upon walking past an aisle, I caught sight of Fire and Thorne. Fire was crying as her mother held her close.
I stopped dead in my tracks and stared. Thorne looked back at me and nodded me over silently.
I stepped in without so much as a word.
Firebright turned her head to me at the sound of my hooves against the steel walkway, before turning back to Thorne and whimpering.
"Charger..."
"What'd I miss?" I asked, looking from one to the other.
Thorne sighed, before placing a kiss atop Fire's head. "I'll give you two some space." She turned to me with a cold, hard look in her eyes. "Be nice, Charger."
To my surprise, I found myself nodding in agreement to her terms.
She nodded back and stood up, looking down at her daughter. "I won't be far if you need me..." She whispered as she nuzzled her cheek.
Fire nodded silently as tears continued to run down her face. She leaned into her for a moment as she closed her eyes, before Thorne stepped towards me. She stopped at my side, looking down at the metal flooring before her.
"We didn't tell you the truth because we knew it would only do more harm than good to you."
I nodded in silence for a moment as I regarded her. "I'm starting to see that now, Thorne. I don't like it, but I respect it."
She raised a brow before turning to me. Her mouth hung open a bit in surprise, as if she wanted to say something, but didn't know what.
"I only ask that you give me a bit more time to cope with all this before I start talking to you and Hollow regularly again. Okay?"
With a faint smile and a hint of sadness, she nodded. "Take care, Charger..." And with that, she trotted away.
I turned back to Firebright to find her curled up in a ball, shaking as she lied there on the floor.
"What happened?" I asked in a slightly more stern voice as I stepped up to her.
"Charger..." She whimpered again, looking up at me from where she lied. "Bristle is my dad..." Tears broke free in a storm of emotions as her voice broke. "I'm a product of incest..."
... Oh...
Yikes...
That... actually explained a lot about her. Why she was so sadistic. Why she loved hurting others...
This also meant that her and I weren't actually related. But I wasn't so sure she even knew that.
"I'm sorry, Fire..." I spoke softer. "But why are you so upset about this? You and I went at it more times than I care to remember."
She froze for a moment, pain etched onto her face, before she continued. "We never had a kid together..."
Gee... I wonder why...
"I suppose I'm getting a taste of my own medicine..." She muttered, looking away. "I'm starting to understand your pain..."
"No, Fire. Stop." I said quickly as my hoof crackled with boiling anger. "You have no fucking idea what I'm feeling. You have no fucking right to even think you know what it's like to be me."
She winced at my words, as if they burnt their way straight to her heart.
I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to cool myself down. "But..." I continued in a softer tone of voice. "You're a victim to an unfortunate circumstance. And for that, I'm sorry..."
She looked back up at me, sobbing. "T-thank you, Charger..." She sighed and closed her eyes, resting the side of her head against the cold surface of the floor. "My own body is a fucking lie..."
I raised a brow as I sat before her. "What do you mean?"
"My eyes... my coat... my mane... That's not me." She paused for a moment as more tears broke free. She grit her teeth, trying to calm herself enough to at least speak. "Apparently when I was born, Hollow did some weird zebra magic shit on me, per Bristle's order. Changed the color of my coat, mane, and eyes indefinitely. I guess he was trying to hide where I came from so that I never asked any questions..."
My ears wilted as I regarded her in sorrow. "I... never knew that..."
"I wouldn't expect you to..." She sat up, wiping away the tears and snot from her face.
"Do you know what your original appearance was?"
She nodded. "M-mhm. Red eyes, white mane and tail, black coat."
"Own your body, Fire." I smiled softly. "Don't let this knowledge of your 'fake' colors own you. Make it yours."
We both fell silent for a while; our eyes locked to each other. The windows to her soul were glossy with sorrow.
I moved in and held her close. She tensed up for a second, before I felt her hooves meet at my back. She rested her chin on my arm for a short while, before kissing at my neck.
I closed my eyes and kissed her back. A part of me hated her. But she seemed to want to change... I was never going to forget what she did to me... But I was willing to try and at least forgive her. She needed a chance to change...
"So..." I whispered. "I guess this means we're not related, after all."
She froze momentarily, before moving her head back to look at me. "Wait... we're not...?"
I shook my head. "There's a chance CrimsonThunder is my dad... That, or a stallion that died a long time ago, named Voltage. I don't know who, but it's one of them... Either way, I'm related to Crimson."
"Oh..." She looked down. More pain was expressed through her eyes. "I... see..."
"Hey..." I put my hoof to her chin and lifted her head up. Our eyes met again. I moved in and pressed my lips gently to her cheek, before nuzzling her and whispering in her ear. "Give me a reason to forgive you for everything, Fire. I want to love you. We might not be related, but you'll always be my sister."
She nuzzled me back, before speaking in the same volume. "What the fuck did I do to deserve you...?"
I looked back at her, smiling softly. Tears ran down her face as her lips trembled.
"I-I won't let you down ever again... You and Thorne are all I have left..." She broke down into another series of sobs, holding my tightly as she buried her muzzle into my neck. I held her close as I felt her body shake with each sob.
"Hey..." I whispered, trying my best not to chuckle. "Now that it's confirmed we're not biologically related... You wanna fuck?" I smiled, trying my best not to chuckle.
She looked back at me in shock, tears still shedding.
"I'm kidding." I continued, keeping my smile up as I pressed the tip of my forehoof to her snoot. "Not that incest ever stopped us from fucking, anyways."
She went cross-eye'd, looking at the tip of her muzzle as she ran a hoof along it.
"I was gonna say..." She began, looking back at me. "Having sex with one of your rapists is... almost unheard of."
I shrugged. "Well, Petiole made me horny earlier. Call me desperate." I chuckled, before kissing her on the cheek again. "It was a joke though. Trying to kill the tension and whatnot. I know the rangers took turns on you, so I'm not-"
My rambling was cut short with her lips pressed firmly against mine. My eyes shot open for a moment as I mumbled behind the kiss, but as the seconds passed by, I relaxed in her arms and closed them. Her tongue wrestled with mine for what felt like forever, before we both pulled back, panting for breath.
She gave me a heartbroken smile as her tears remained. "I want you, Charger..." She whispered, inches from my muzzle. "But only if you want to..."
I took a deep breath, keeping my eyes on hers. Being alone right now was the last thing either of us wanted...
"I just need something good right now... I'm sorry if I overstepped my-"
I cut her off with a hoof to her lips, and as I smiled, I spoke in a soothing tone. "Lie down..."
She paused for a moment, staring, before resting her back against the metal flooring.
I got over her and lifted one of her rear hooves up, kissing at the frog. I knew all her sweet spots. I was going to give her something special. Something she wouldn't forget.
Her leg twitched at the contact as she gasped under her breath. I rewarded her with a chuckle, before nibbling at her hoof. She let out a tiny squeak, before bursting into a laughter that was mixed with her tears, though they were starting to die down.
I raised a brow as I looked at her, keeping my lips pressed against her hoof.
"Y-you didn't hear that!" She blurted as her face turned bright red.
"You're cute when you're embarrassed." I replied softly, chuckling again.
"N-no!" She hid behind her forehooves in shame, and without warning, I bit down harder. As she yelped, I received a buck to the face, causing me to recoil a bit.
Immediately, as I ran my claws over my muzzle with a pressure building in my nose, she started to sit up in a panic.
"Charger, I'm so sorry! Are you-"
I held a hoof out to her abruptly. "L-lie back down, Fire..." I paused as the pressure built, but it died down shortly after. "I... I'm not done with you just yet." I cracked a smile as I removed my claws from my face. I felt a trickle of black slide out from my nose. I quickly wiped it away in hopes she didn't see.
"A-are you okay...?" She asked worriedly as she rested her back against the surface again, doing as she was told.
"Mhm." I nodded. "If you wanted to play rough, you should've just said so."
She snorted out a giggle, which furthered her embarrassment as she hid behind her hooves again. "Damn it, what's wrong with me today!?"
I lifted her rear hoof again, this time kissing around the exterior of the hoof. She went quiet as I left a trail of them up her leg, to more sensitive territories, where it grew warmer. An aroma grew in the area. One that drove me eager for her...
It didn't take long for my nibbles, laps of the tongue, and kisses to further her excitement. I got that strong, sweet taste of her as my tongue dove in.
"C-Charge... Oh..."
I looked up at her as she stifled her moans behind a bitten forehoof.
Her nethers winked around my tongue, and as she grew more wet, I pushed my muzzle in, lapping at her walls. The taste of her pleasure enveloped my tongue. I wanted more...
But I had other plans in mind for our time together.
I lifted myself up as my excitement throbbed. I lifted her leg up again as I pushed her other one the opposite direction, spreading them apart to give me easier access. I rubbed myself along her soaked entrance as I worked on arousing myself further. I nibbled at her hoof as I grinded against her.
"Do you want me to go easier on you, Fire?"
She nodded behind a whimpered moan. "Y-yes... Yes please..."
I kissed her hoof once more, smiling. "Understood."
With that, I gently pressed my tip against her slit, before sliding in.
She squeaked again, causing me to chuckle under my shaky breath.
"F-Fire..." My hoof let out a soft current of electricity from the soft, wet walls that I squeezed through.
I began lightly pumping into her. With each thrust, she moaned behind her hoof, giving me incentive to gradually build my pace up. In doing so, I went to deeper lengths, which increased both our volumes. Though, I was still a lot quieter.
Thankfully though, on her behalf, she was able to handle it, considering what recently happened to her.
I was surprised she had wanted to do anything anymore, after what the rangers did to her. But I had been in that same situation myself. So I had an idea why she wanted this. For me, it wasn't just a pleasure trip. It was the feeling of being wanted. The want... no... the need for a connection with another.
I imagined she wanted this for the same reason.
I put her rear hoof down and descended over her, pressing my lips to hers as I increased the speed of my hips moving back and forth against her... Feeling her tunnel squeeze at my length.
"O-oh!"
Fire and I both went still and silent as we stared at each other for a moment. I looked over my shoulder at where the sound of shock came from.
Thorne and Hollow were standing side by side; Thorne looking away, and Hollow blushing a bit as she studied the view.
"When I said be nice, I didn't mean fuck my daughter!" Thorne blurted in distaste.
"Wouldn't be the first time..." Hollow muttered, cracking a faint smirk.
Thorne scoffed and trotted away, mumbling to herself.
Hollow nodded to me, before speaking. "Carry on, you two. Pretend we were never here." And with that, she trotted after Thorne.
Fire and I both turned to each other again, staring quietly for a few seconds, before we simultaneously broke into laughter, holding each other close.
I backtracked on my pace a bit as I resumed, and our laughter morphed into moans. She pulled me in for another deep kiss, tongue and all.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
I went in as deep as I was able, and with each thrust, my balls smacked into her.
She pulled away from the kiss abruptly, gasping and panting from the intimacy.
"C-Charger, fuck! I'm cumming!"
I wrapped a claw around the back of her neck as I rested my chin over her shoulder, groaning and panting. "Fuck, Fire..."
"Charger!" She cried out, arching her back as she bucked her hips. "Ahhh!"
I felt the wave of her orgasm coat my member as I slammed into her, pushing my flare against her cervix. Her slick, velvet walls were getting to me...
I moaned behind grit teeth... Growling, almost... as I pounded her.
My flare swelled inside her as my climax approached. There was no sense in trying to be discrete about it anymore. Her scream as her orgasm rushed over her announced what we were doing to everyone in the vicinity, if not the entire warehouse. Not to mention the volume as I called out her name.
... And our excessive moaning.
I nuzzled her neck, feeling a wet substance soak into the fur of my cheeks. Some of it wiped into her fur.
"C-Charger..." Fire said between thrusts as I continued to pump into her, seconds away from reaching my climax. It was hard to stop.
"Fire..." I moaned shakily as I rammed into her one final time. "Ah, Fire! Fuck!" I released my pent up excitement in waves as a sense of euphoria washed over me.
Just then, I noticed what the wet substance was that emerged moments before, as my moans morphed into a flood of tears. I pressed my muzzle into her neck.
How much more did I have left in me!? Goddess damn it!
"Charger..." She moaned softer as I began to slow down to a stop. "A-are you okay...?"
No... I wasn't okay.
"I'll be fine..." I sniffled as I wiped a hoof across my face, breaking the stream of tears that ran down my cheeks. "Don't worry..." I let out a broken chuckle. "I don't... want my emotions to ruin this moment." I held her close, smiling down at her.
She brushed my mane aside, as it was almost draping over her face.
I backed up a bit, smiling softly as I sobbed. "Sorry about that..." I whimpered, before more tears broke free.
"I shouldn't have pushed for this." Fire said, a look of guilt and remorse in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Charger."
"No, no..." I gave her a soft kiss to her lips. "I don't regret this..."
"Are you sure?" She asked quietly, wiping some tears from my face.
"Yes." I nodded. "Do... you?"
She shook her head and smiled softly. "Definitely not. I needed this..."
I smiled back. "I did too..."
She nuzzled me gently, before groaning softly as she moved around a bit. "Hey, can we switch spots? My back's been killing me ever since Titan threw me, and this floor isn't exactly doing me any favors."
I nodded, and with a grin, I pumped into her once more. She gasped as her eyes shot open wide.
"H-hey!" She blurted shortly after a moan escaped her lips.
I chuckled softly as I slid out and rolled off of her, lying my back against the floor.
"You tease..." She murmured as she rested her head on my chest, holding me close.
"How's your ribcage doing...?" I asked tenderly, running a claw through her mane as I looked up at the ceiling.
"Hurts, but... less. Feels more bruised than broken, now. Guess this virus of yours has its benefits..."
"Maybe." I replied in a near whisper. "We'll see..."
Within a matter of minutes, she began snoring lightly. With the desire to let her rest, I decided to stay with her, which resulted in me dozing off as well.
A vortex dotted a blood red, cloudy sky.
Souls of the damned sang in a choir of agony and torment as they were ripped from their husks, spiraling up into the hellish skies; into the vortex, where the unknown was left a mystery.
War torn structures of the past defied the laws of gravity, and with it, large chunks of earth.
"Charger."
I awoke to Arctic's voice calling for me.
Firebright had awoken as well, and just started to sit up.
I looked over to the end of the aisle to see Arctic standing there. She nodded her head to the side, before walking in the same direction.
"You too, Fire." She said, before disappearing.
Fire stood up and stretched, before smiling softly down at me. There was pain behind it, but she was trying to hide it.
"You okay?" I asked calmly.
She sighed and shook her head as I stood up. "No... But I'm trying to pull myself through the shit." She regarded me silently for a moment. "What about you?"
"Feels like I'm swimming upstream shit creek and making zero progress in doing so." I stuck my tongue out playfully after. May as well laugh about the bullshit life had to offer...
She moved in and held me close. "Let's get through it together." She whispered.
My smile brightened a bit as I nuzzled her, speaking softly afterward. "Let's go see what Arctic wants."
Firebright nodded, and together, we set out. Upon leaving the aisle, I noticed in the distance, everyone was gathered at the planning area.
"Hey..." Fire said as she walked alongside me. I turned to her to find she was hanging her head down. "I... don't expect your forgiveness. I don't deserve it. But... I just want you to know I'm sorry I took Snow Star away from you..."
... Oh... Right...
I took a deep breath and looked away. Strings pulled at my heart in every which direction in a sudden tug-of-war match.
"Fire..." I closed my eyes and sighed. "Aura is alive because of your action. What you did was evil and spiteful, I'm not denying that... But I'm not sure Aura would even exist if Snow Star wasn't banished. Not to mention everything that's happening now. Us, the bunker, the resistance... Snow's banishment is kind of the cause of all that." I paused, thinking to myself for a moment. "Well, that, and my mom... and Hollow..." Finally, I turned to her again. "I don't think I can ever truly forgive you for what you did. But because of you, I have a daughter. Something Snow and I had only dreamt of. She isn't here now, and I partially blame you for that... But I'm trying to make the best out of what I got."
"That..." She froze for a moment, keeping her head down. "That's a very mature way of looking at it..." She looked back at me, looking almost surprised. "I was kinda expecting you to yell at me or something... After everything I've done, I deserve it..."
I shook my head and looked ahead at the crowd that we made our way towards. Arctic was ahead of us by four aisles.
"I've done a lot of growing up, Fire. These past two months taught me a lot about who I was, and who I can become." I turned to her once more. "A part of me might always hate you. But we're in this together now. We have to stick together. If you work with me and not against me, I can at least try to do the same for you..."
She nuzzled my neck after a moment of silence between us.
"I appreciate that, Charger... Thank you for giving me a chance."
"Of course." I smiled faintly.
As Arctic stepped forward, some of the crowd looked back, before stepping aside, forming a path to the planning area.
As we stepped through the crowd and into the opening, I was greeted with Petiole, Hollow, and Thorne sitting at the crates. Bullet and Sora took Hollow's side, Scope took Petiole's, and Cobalt, Onyx, and Astral took Thorne's. I caught some of my friends among the crowd.
Arctic sat down at her usual spot, then looked at me before pointing a hoof at an empty spot.
"Sit."
I stepped forward and sat down. It wasn't long before Oku, Fire, and Rivet stood with me.
"So what is all this, then?" I asked, regarding everyone at the table.
"It's time we discussed our next plan of approach." Arctic stated. "Something big is happening here, and we can't be around when shit decides to hit the fan."
Suddenly, a pebble struck the side of her head. She frowned in annoyance, before spinning her head around. "Who threw that!?" She barked.
I sighed and turned to Para, who was hidden among the crowd. "Get Para out of here."
Fluky trotted across the floor and tapped his shoulder. "C'mon, let's get out of here..."
"Give that idiot some crayons and a coloring book." Arctic muttered. "Seriously..." She rubbed her temple as the two of them trotted for the exit.
"Ooo!" Para beamed. "Coloring books, yes!" He pumped his hoof in the air triumphantly as the two of them left the scene.
Arctic sighed and hung her head down. "Now that that happened... can we get back on topic?"
"There's been high energy readings coming from the very bottom of the bunker for the past hour." Bullet filled in, before turning to me. "We think it's the generator that Bristle stole from Saddle. Something's happening to it."
"We'd go down there to find out what, but two things stand in our way." Sora added, looking from me to Arctic. "Your rangers are guarding the generator, and there's an army of Nekkra between us and it."
"Nekkra?" Rivet raised a brow. "Wait, the megaspell creatures have a name?"
"They didn't originate from megaspells..." Bullet said in a grave tone. "Though they sure are attracted to it... We're dealing with something that's bigger then even Hollow."
"Three things." I said simply.
Everyone turned to me in silence, before Arctic spoke.
"What?"
"There are three obstacles in our way. Not two." I rested my forehooves on the surface, folding them over each other. "When I was out there, I saw something. It wasn't Nekkra or ranger..." I frowned, trying to find the proper words. "Well, actually... it was something that happened to a group of rangers that I assumed were either on a scavenging run, or survivors from my attack." I turned to Hollow to see she was staring back intently. "You know, don't you?"
She took a deep breath as all eyes turned on her.
"Rust." She blinked, before looking back at Arctic. "Rust is here, which means we might have a whole new level of competition in our hooves. This is going to be a problem."
"As if it wasn't already..." Petiole muttered.
"Who's Rust?" Arctic raised a brow.
"Long story." Bullet replied quickly. "But I've had a run-in with the guy, and I'll say this right now. Avoid him at all costs. You see a bi pedal creature, you don't waste a second standing around. Run the other way."
"I second that." I filled in. "I had a run-in with him too. He let me live. Seemed to almost be on my side, too... But there's something not right with him."
"What happened to the rangers?" Oku asked, regarding me.
"I asked him the same thing." I replied. "He said they didn't have what they wanted, so he fried their motor functions. Turned them into vegetables..." I smiled sheepishly, before adding in a softer tone. "Then somebody ate them..."
The crowd started whispering to each other with concerned looks.
Arctic sighed. "Damn it... As if the shadows weren't enough... This place was never safe, but it's a full on war zone now." She turned to Firebright. "I didn't see it as possible before, but with you here, and someone who knows how to operate a Vertibuck, we might have a chance."
"I know how to fly one." Hollow said.
"As do Sora and I." Bullet added.
"Great." Arctic smiled faintly as a new hope grew in her eyes. "We need to start evacuating everyone from here."
"I'm guessing you need my security code to get into the hangars?" Fire asked.
Arctic nodded. "That would be most helpful. I'd rather not risk hacking the firewall and triggering the sentries."
Fire nodded in agreement. "Same. I don't think Bristle had enough time to kick me from the system, so my code should still work."
"Here's hoping..."
"I think it'd be wise if more than one person had the code. In case something happens to me..."
"My sentiments exactly..."
"There's a pilot in the battery." Petiole stated. "If we hook it up to one of the vertibucks, we'd have a fourth pilot."
Hollow shook her head. "Charger is gonna need it for the Nekkra."
He sighed. "Right, well... Is doing what the Nekkra wants really a good idea? We still have no idea for sure what they're trying to do, but it can't be anything good."
"They want to activate the generator." Hollow stated. "The battery is what does that. But it can also destroy it... So that's why Charger is going to go down there and do just that." She turned to me and smiled. "Make sure they have nothing left."
"And if it doesn't work out as planned?" I asked, raising a brow.
"Then it's goodnight for everyone on Equus." Sora replied, looking at me with a grave expression.
"Save the pessimism for your counseling sessions." Bullet said in a deadpan, which earned her a glaring Sora. "Charger can do it. After everything he's overcome, he's got what it takes."
"I'm gonna need help." I stated. "I can't take the Nekkra or the rangers on alone."
Arctic nodded and smiled faintly as she glanced around the room. "Well, you have a lot of friends that seem eager to fight alongside you." She turned back to me with that same smile. "Any preferences?"
> Channel 002.9; The Hurt That Finds You First
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

We thought of something that is better
Something that changes all the rules
Why pretend we're all the same
When some of us shine brighter?
Here's a chance to find your flame
Are you a loser or a fighter?
Me and you, you and me
Why don't we see who is better?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


"Well, I didn't expect to see this again." I stated as I stood before my old power armor, which stood in an aisle of the warehouse with its head hung down. "Keeps finding its way back to me."
"You're welcome." Hollow replied as she stood at my side, facing the same aisle as I.
"Are you sure about this, Charger...?" Firebright asked as she stepped up to my other side.
"Fire's a weakness against the Nekkra." I turned to her, studying the worried look in her eyes with a smile. "Who better than to do this than you?"
She smiled faintly as she hung her head down a bit, looking at my chest.
"Hey..." I wrapped an arm around her, scooting closer to her before I nuzzled her ear. "You got this, sis."
She raised a brow, looking back up at me with her lips curled into a smile of mirth. "I'm two years older than you. Why are you speaking as if I'm the little sibling?"
I grit my teeth in mild annoyance as I exhaled sharply. My hoof crackled behind us. "Take the fucking reassurance."
"Alright, alright!" She chuckled under her breath, before turning back to the power armor. Her ears wilted. "Just... worried what the future holds... I have a bad feeling..."
"I'm right there with you..." I muttered. She nuzzled into my neck in response.
"Both of you reek of fish." Petiole said aloud, catching us both off guard. We spun to him as he approached from behind, looking at Fire. "You went from cunt to fishy cunt."
"Hey, c'mon." I said sternly as she deadpanned at him. "You know that's not true."
"Yeah." Fire said defensively. "At least I smell like something pleasant and not DEAD."
"You call fish smell pleasant?"
Her jaw dropped for a moment, before she blurted. "SEX! I SMELL LIKE SEX!"
Everyone in the area stopped and stared as her and I stood there. It got really hot in here all of a sudden... My face felt like it was bright red with embarrassment right now. Fire certainly looked flustered herself.
"Well, then." Petiole resumed calmly. "The scent of sex has certainly changed over the years. Cause I don't remember it smelling like an ocean."
"Alright, Petiole." Hollow stepped up. "That's enough. You had your fun."
He chuckled softly as Fire huffed in annoyance. She turned to me and started sniffing at my coat.
"H-hey!" I blurted. "I don't smell like fish!"
"None of you do." Hollow remarked with a deadpan. "Stars, you're both gullible... But you do both carry the scent of your previous... activities. I recommend going for a quick shower before we get on with this." She quickly prodded a hoof at my chest. "And don't go wasting time fucking in there, either. You hear?"
"Alright, alright!" I pushed her hoof away, scowling. "It was just one time!"
"Many times." Fire quickly added under her breath.
"No second rounds." She said behind a glare, turning to my sister. "We're on a tight schedule. Save your incest fantasies for when we're not on the brink of extinction."
"Yeah, okay. We got the memo, MOM." I rolled my eyes and sighed, before nuzzling into Fire's neck. "Let's go take that shower and get back here before we get anymore verbal lashings."
Hollow chuckled softly as she shook her head, smiling. "I'm glad you two are getting along now..." She glanced at the armor, before turning back to Fire. "I'll get the weapons fitted with the armor while you're gone."
"Thanks, Hollow..." Fire replied softly before we started walking for the showers I had been at previously.
We both knew we were on a tight schedule, so the goal was to get in, get clean, get out.
I could see in Fire's eyes that she was dwelling on the new knowledge of who her biological father was. She wasn't saying anything, but her eyes were screaming it. Especially when she thought I wasn't looking.
I felt for her...
A soft, tender side of me loved her... Wanted to be there for her. We were both suffering through a pain that couldn't be mended.
The part of me that couldn't let go hated her. Hated what she did to me all those years I was stuck down here.
But she was my sister. She needed me. Did I need her?
... No. I didn't need her. But... I found myself wanting her in my life, regardless.
These mixed feelings were sending my head spiraling into a migraine...
I rubbed my temple with a hoof, wincing my eyes as my head began to throb.
"Headaches again?" She asked softly, to which I turned to her. She was regarding me with a tender look in her eyes. One that spoke worry, but... also love.
I smiled wanly and tapped my forehoof to my head twice. Gently. "Yep!" My smile grew into a grin as I jokingly shouted. "My grain!"
She snorted softly and shook her head. "Gotta say... I missed that joke..."
I sighed softly as my smile died down to its initial, tired look. "I... missed you, Fire. I mean, I don't miss the complications we've had. But it wasn't all bad... We had good moments in the past."
She froze for a moment as a smile grew on her features. A smile I dare say I loved... Something meaningful. True. Heartfelt... One that didn't have spiteful tendencies or aggression... I didn't see it often back then, but I had a feeling I was going to see more of it from now on, if things worked out between us. "You really mean that?"
I nodded without hesitation. "I do."
She stepped away from her running showerhead and approached me, caressing a hoof along my cheek, before her lips softly pressed to mine. Her eyes closed at the contact, and mine were soon to follow.
I felt an affection for her in that moment. We had something now. I never saw myself having... real feelings for her...
She pulled away a few inches from my lips, and upon opening my eyes, we both gazed into the windows of each other's soul.
"I love you, Charger..." She whispered.
"I..." My voice caught in my throat as my heart pounded... "I..." What the hell...? C'mon... "Fire..."
A sadness grew in her eyes as she stared deep into mine. "Charger...?"
C'mon, you idiot... You love her. Just tell her!
"Fire..." I sighed and hung my head. "I like you..."
I knew right then and there that my words pierced through her heart like a spear. Damn it... Why was my brain so stupid? Why did it feel wrong even thinking of loving the mare that hurt me?
I shook my head and looked back up at her as she stood firm, looking deep into my eyes still. She kept her composure well.
"It's... complicated, Fire. I have... feelings for you. But... it doesn't feel right... saying that... to you..."
She cracked a smile, trying her best to mask the sorrow. "Well, if we're talking about what feels right... Incest is heavily frowned upon in some areas. I know we're not related, but we didn't know that all those other times." She nudged my shoulder playfully and winked.
"This is different..." I hung my head down again, closing my eyes. "You really hurt me. You fucked with my happiness time and time again... You took what I put my future into... I bawl my eyes out whenever I have sex now, cause it only reminds me of what you did to me. I fight to get through that every time and enjoy myself..." And now, after seeing what Bristle left for me in that memory orb, it was much worse. I raped my own fucking mom through that asshole's body... "I know we're trying to start fresh, but I'm never going to forget what you did." In dead silence, I opened my eyes and looked back up at her, to which she nodded with a distant look in her eyes.
"I understand, Charger..." She moved in and nuzzled my cheek gently, before whispering into my ear. "My feelings haven't changed for you, though... You're my brother. I'll always love you."
I wrapped a hoof around the back of her neck and pulled her in closer, holding her as hot water from my shower head rained down on both of us.
"Thank you, Firebright..." I whispered back.
Our shower together was short lived.
On the way back, a question popped up in my head. I remembered back at the town of cannibals, Fire told Titan it wasn't their place to give me answers about my parents...
"Hey, Fire..."
She turned to me, smiling softly. "Yeah, Charger?"
"Back when I first saw Titan, you told him it wasn't his place to tell me about my parents..."
Her smile faltered as she looked away. "Yeah, I guess I did, huh...?"
"What did you mean by that? What did you know?"
She sighed and looked ahead as we walked down the empty stretch of corridor. "I knew about your mom. I knew that Voltage had his way with her. I never met the guy, but I was told that he was my dad and that he died in combat along with my mother..." She grit her teeth and took a deep breath. "I was told all this after you escaped the raider camp for Virtue. Guess they decided to feed me your fabrication story. Or at least a part of it."
I nodded slowly as I turned to look at her. "Did you ever get your mother's name?"
She shook her head. "No... Guess that was the first hint that something was wrong. Chose to ignore it..."
I wonder why they gave her his name, but not me... I've asked quite a bit, even when I was living in the bunker. But I was always left empty hoofed.
When we got back to the storage bay, Petiole and Hollow were waiting inside, at the entrance.
"Good." Petiole started as we walked in. "You made it back in time."
"What's going on?" Fire asked, to which Hollow nodded her head back a little.
"Your armor is ready. Let's get you suited up."
Fire nodded before turning to me. "See you soon?"
I smiled faintly in response. "You bet."
The two of them started to trot away, leaving Petiole and I alone.
He reached around to his back and brought forth my barding.
As I took the folded armor, I noticed something different about it.
"I don't remember it being this heavy." I stated as I looked back up at him.
He nodded silently for a moment. "I figured since you're going to war, you could use the extra protection. I buffed it."
"Thanks." I replied softly as I rested it on my back. "Just don't go making it too heavy." I cracked a smile. "I'll get suited up here in a-"
"Robutt!" Fluky shouted abruptly as she and Aura both ran to me. Judging by her tone of voice, she wasn't happy.
They both stopped before me; Aura heaving and gasping for breath as she slouched over.
"You're not running off again!" Fluky shouted. "Not again!"
I sighed and shook my head. "This isn't running off, Fluky. This is saving lives."
"Then we're coming with you!" She barked.
I opened my mouth to protest, but she cut me off as she stomped a forehoof down. "We're coming with!"
I just then noticed the teddy bear she got from Stable 32 lift himself up from behind her head, looking directly at me. He shook his head silently in disapproval.
... Okay, that wasn't creepy at all...
"It's dangerous..." Petiole stated. "You could die."
"Just like everywhere else in the wasteland..." Aura muttered.
I let out a sigh of resignation. "Alright, you can come... On one condition."
Fluky raised a brow, but said nothing.
"Stay behind me. I don't want any harm coming to either of you..."
"Deal." Aura said as she reached out a forehoof. I took it and shook, smiling softly, before turning to Fluky. She nodded once, before taking my claw and shaking it.
"Fine..." She muttered under her breath.
I regarded the stuffed animal that stood behind her head, watching me.
"Your toy seems to be alive..."
"Yeah, I've been meaning to say something about that, too..." Aura said as she knit her brows at the teddy bear. "Some freaky shit..."
"You'd think it'd be every kid's dream to have their stuffed animal come to life..." Petiole stated.
"Not mine!" Aura blurted in disgust. "It's creepy!"
"When did he become sentient?" I asked with a curious tilt of my head; to which Fluky scowled.
"After you left me behind in that cave."
I grit my teeth nervously. "Fluky..."
"But..." She interjected immediately, raising a hoof and closing her eyes. "It's fine. I get it, it was dangerous... You were only looking out for me. So I'm trying to move on..." She opened her eyes, glaring up at me. "But no more running off. I made peace with you. Not with what happened..." She hung her head down, curtaining her eyes with her mane. "But with you... So please." She looked back up with eyes that spoke hurt... "Stop running..."
"Fluky..." I spoke under my breath as I stepped forward. I wrapped an arm around her and placed a kiss atop her head. "I'm sorry... I'll work on that. Okay?" I glanced at Aura and smiled faintly. "For both of you..."
Aura smiled back and gave me a single nod just before Fluky replied.
"Okay... I forgive you..." Then, under her breath, she added. "... Robutt..."
I chuckled as I backed up, only to lightly bap a claw to the tip of her nose. "Flukes."
She scrunched her muzzle as she backed up, frowning, and covered her nose with a hoof. "D-don't call me that!"
"Then stop calling my dad 'Robutt...'" Aura replied in a deadpan, before a smile crept up on her lips. "Loopy."
I let out a sudden laugh as Fluky's ears wilted and her face fell into a pout.
"Aura just called you out!" I said aloud, still laughing. Even Petiole chuckled a bit!
"Oh yeah?" Fluky turned to Aura, glaring. "Well, at least I'm not a cyclops!"
Petiole and I went dead silent as Aura's smile quickly diminished. She stared Fluky down with malice.
"What... the fuck... did you just say to me?" Aura emphasized each word behind grit teeth.
Fluky stared for a moment, before she sighed and cast her eyes down. "Sorry... that was a bit much..."
Aura remained glaring for a moment before she blinked and averted her gaze, taking a deep breath.
"I forgive you..." She said softly, before continuing. "Just don't say shit like that again..."
"Deal..." Fluky reached out a hoof, to which Aura frowned down at it. Her eye focused back on Fluky's as she grinned menacingly, just before pouncing on her and tackling the filly five years older than her.
"Agh!" Fluky let out a yelp as she tried to get back up. "What are you doing!?"
"Getting revenge snuggles!" Aura replied cheerfully as she held her close and nestled into her coat, lying atop her.
Fluky sighed with resignation as she stopped fighting to get back up, then wrapped her arms around my daughter. "Alright, fine..."
Laughing, I bumped my arm against Petiole's shoulder. Upon getting his attention, I nodded my head further into the warehouse. We made our way in that direction.
The sick and the wounded were being put up on stretchers. Almost all of them were ready for extraction. We had maybe another half hour until everything was packed up and ready to go.
We stopped at the third aisle and stepped into a secluded area, to which I unfolded the barding and began slipping into it, one limb at a time.
Petiole helped me with my lower body.
"I've been meaning to ask you something..." I started.
"What is it?" Petiole replied as I felt him fit my mutilated hoof through the sleeve. He started to work on the zipper next.
"Back at the caves... Hollow had a memory orb of you and Floe Glaze at a bar..."
"Ah..." He sighed. "Yeah, that..."
I looked over my shoulder to find he remained focused on the zipper of my barding.
"What happened after you two got attacked?"
"Honestly?" He paused. "I have no recollection of it ever happening. Hollow showed me the orb while we were away to retrieve Blaze and Tezu. I remember the night at the bar, but beyond that?" He shook his head slowly. "The walk with Floe Glaze? The talk of our research? The assault? It's as much of a mystery to me as it is to you."
"Did Hollow have any insight?" I asked, keeping my eyes on him. "There must be a reason she had a memory orb of you, of all ponies."
He shook his head again. "If she knows something, she's not sharing. And I'm not asking. Whatever happened, happened. It's in the past, it doesn't matter anymore."
"But... it's a part of your life." I frowned. "It was taken from you. Don't you want it back?"
"No." He replied sternly as he resumed zipping me up. "Drop it. I have no use for meaningless knowledge that won't serve me or anyone else any good."
"Petiole..."
"Please." He snapped as his LED flashed red. "I said no, Mansia."
"M-Mansia...?" I raised a brow at him, to which his LED went blue.
He stared for the longest time. Stuck in place, like a statue...
"... Did I say that...?" He whispered.
"Yeah..."
He shook his head and sighed, looking back down at my now armored flank as he worked on the zipper once more, keeping it from pinching my hide.
"I'm fine with the memories I currently have of my past. I don't want to know what's missing, because that only brings pain. I've seen what it did to you... I don't want to go through that..."
I looked forward as he brought the zipper to my neck, now standing beside me.
"Well... I can't argue with you there..." I muttered as I took a momentary glance at him. "Alright... I'll drop it."
He gave me a single nod in response. "Thank you, Charger." With that, he started to take his leave.
"Hey, where are you going?"
He looked over his shoulder, back at me as he stopped at the end.
"Thorne wanted my help taking the bunker's water talismans. Now that you're done with the showers, I'm going to inform her."
I smiled faintly. "Okay. Be safe, Petiole."
"You too, Charger."
And with that, we parted ways.
I lingered around the entrance to the bay for a short while, before catching sight of Rivet approaching in a steady trot, armed with the megaspell cannons he once saved me with.
"Hey, boss." He replied simply, before coming to a stop. "You sure you want me to tag along?"
I raised a brow. "Are you having second thoughts?"
He shook his head. "No. Figured you'd still be holding that grudge against me, though."
"We'll see..." I said softly with a half smile forming on my lips.
He dropped his gaze a bit, scratching the back of his head with his talons. "Gotta say... Never saw my life taking this turn..."
"Welcome to my life." I winked as a sarcastic grin spread across my face.
He glanced down at my teeth, wide eye'd. "When did you get fangs?"
I let out a small chuckle as I shook my head. "Man, you missed out on the adventure of a lifetime. Look where being a greedy asshole got you. Lack of a story."
He gave me a flat look. "Ehhh, fuck you too."
"Anytime, baby!" I said quickly as my grin came back.
He sighed as his head hung down. "This again..."
"This again!" I said back cheerfully, beaming at him. "Do you have my grain yet!?"


(((((((◉)))))))


Fire stayed on my right, while Happy stayed on my left. He was eerily quiet lately, I noticed... I didn't quite know what to make of that. But he offered to help, so... who was I to argue?
Rivet stayed behind me, and behind him were Aura and Fluky as we ventured down the corridors of the lower levels.
"Radio check." Petiole said over my pipbuck.
"Copy." I replied after bringing it to my lips. "How's the progress?"
"We just made it to the hangar. We're putting Fire's code in now. How's it going on your end?"
"Dead and quiet." I replied with a flat look. "Was expecting more resistance, but I'll count my blessings."
"Be safe."
"Of course." I smiled faintly. "Safe is my middle name. Charger Safe Surge."
"No it isn't." Both Rivet, Petiole, and Fire objected in unison.
I deadpanned at the griffin. "Well, let's just say it is."
"No."
"No offense, Charger." Firebright started. "But you're anything but safe."
"Y'know..." Rivet added. "On account of those STDs you have."
I snapped a look at him as my hoof burst with red. "For the last time, I don't have any-" I huffed and looked away, ending my statement there.
Fire looked down at me behind her visor. "Should've told me you had something before we did the do."
I raised a brow as I looked up at her. "Seriously? You too?"
She chuckled and looked back ahead as we made our way to a flight of stairs that descended even further into the bunker. "Relax, lil' bro. I know you're clean. Er... when it comes to that, I mean..."
A blue blip appeared straight ahead on my E.F.S. the moment I took my first step on the stairs.
"Contact." Rivet said abruptly just as Fire and I readied our weapons.
Fluky pulled her launcher over her shoulder as Aura levitated Mama's Gun before her.
Happy stood there casually, not doing anything. That stupid smile was still plastered on his face.
"Come on out, Charger!" A voice called out from the bottom step. Rust... "We need to talk!"
I lowered my guard a bit before turning to the others as they began to look back at me.
"Who is that?" Fire asked in a near whisper.
"Stay here..." I replied back in a soft tone. "Keep your guard up..."
Fire nodded as she stood her ground. I began my descent down the flight of stairs.
Darkness awaited me at the bottom. About halfway down, I activated my pipbuck light, enveloping my surroundings in an ominous red.
The room at the bottom opened wide with a circular desk in the center. There was one passageway that led within its confines.
Sitting at the desk with his legs kicked up on the surface was the alarming bi pedal creature named Rust.
"What is it?" I asked simply. I didn't want to waste anymore time. I wanted to get straight to the point here.
From what little I knew of him, he did too. Probably even more than me.
"You fell for her too, huh?" He asked softly.
I didn't respond, but instead, stared silently.
He sighed as he moved his feet off the surface. "She has a way with pulling the heartstrings, for sure..."
"What is it you want?" I asked in a deadpan.
He stared silently for a moment, before standing up and walking over to me in a calm manner. He was twice my size.
"I'm here to warn you. You've put your trust in someone who's slaughtered innocent children for money. Someone who has committed genocide countless times. Someone who enslaved entire civilizations."
"This going someplace?" I replied as I looked up at him coolly.
"I'm saying that if you get in my way of killing her, you'll be right there alongside her, Charger. I don't care if the universe has plans for you. If it interferes with my plans, I'll fucking kill you."
"Then I guess this means next time we meet, it'll be with one of us looking down the barrel of a gun. I'm not going to let you hurt her."
"And I hope for your sake, when that time comes, you've changed your mind."
"Charger, we got trouble!" Fire shouted as she and the rest of my group began to run down the stairs.
At once, a female voice spoke from Rust's suit.
"Sir..."
"Yeah, I know..." Rust muttered as he quickly turned and started to run for the other end of the room opposite of the stairs, before fading out of existence. His E.F.S. blip disappeared with him.
I turned just in time to see my group run into the room. Several red blips appeared on my E.F.S., making theirs harder to see. I couldn't tell how many there were, but I knew the number was problematic.
Rivet spread his wings and took to the air momentarily, only to land in the center of the room, behind the desk's cover. He had the right idea. I quickly joined his side.
He spun around, back to the red blips as the rest of the group ran behind cover.
At once, a light flashed from the darkness of the stairwell, blinding me for a moment. I retreated for cover, blinking rapidly as my eyes tried adjusting again.
I looked around my surroundings as best as I could, only to find my group was in the same situation as me; crouched behind cover, straining their eyes in order to see again.
The red blips started to disperse around the room, surrounding us.
I stepped up to the entrance that gave access to the center of the room and peeked my head out.
In doing so, I caught a small glimpse of another one of those bi pedal creatures, much like Rust. They were looking back at me with a rifle of some sort in their grasp. Nothing I had ever seen before... Something other worldly...
The armor they wore was different than Rust's, however. For starters, instead of having a visor much like Hollow's former armor, and Rust's current, theirs consisted of a rectangular, vertical blue light. Their armor was white, with black between the plating. If it was anything like power armor, that was the weak spot to these suits. Hitting the fabric underneath heavy armor was the best chance of doing damage.
Just as I started to aim my rifle around and slip into SATS, I noticed a beam of bright blue light homing in on my left, from another one of these alien creatures. Even with time slowed to a crawl, the projectile's approach was alarming.
I quickly slipped back into real time, jumping back as fast as I could, but getting hit was inevitable at that point.
The shot grazed my muzzle, and laser energy burnt at my nose as I retreated, holding a hoof to it as I winced.
A pressure began to build, and I felt something moving around inside me...
"Charger!" Fire rushed to me, staying down all the while. "Are you oka-"
Before she could finish, I spun to her and burst into a violent sneeze, to which a wave of black blood shotgun blasted her visor, blinding her.
"You cock!" She jolted back, wiping a hoof frantically over her visor in attempts to see again.
I could have sworn I heard a pebble strike metal...
As she wiped the blood from her visor, I felt an appendage rush for my orifice. I scrunched my muzzle in distaste, moments before a tendril shot out from my left nostril, booping Fire's armored muzzle.
"What the fuck...?" She said in a near whisper. Another pebble smacked against her head before it continuously booped at her. "Yeahhh, I don't think so... Fix that, Charger."
She walked past me, toward the entry point and released a torrent of flame for only a second, before another beam of light lunged out from the darkness, striking her in the chest.
She quickly recoiled back for cover just in time for a grenade to smack her in the head.
With haste, I grabbed it and chucked it back over the desk.
"Fuck you too!" I shouted as my hoof flickered. But that only earned me a pebble to my head.
The grenade blew up seconds after throwing it.
"Hey..." Rivet whispered. "They're not coming after us..."
I stopped and looked around my E.F.S. to find all the surrounding enemies were stationary. There were also less of them than I remembered there being.
It got really silent, all of a sudden... As if they weren't even there...
I sighed and lifted my pipbuck to my lips. "We're pinned. Rust's look-alikes have us cornered." I whispered.
"Wait... Look-alikes?" Bullet asked over the other end.
"Bi pedal? Armored? Assholes?" Pebble.
At once, Bullet flashed into existence before us, frowning down at me as the tendril from my nostril lunged at her.
She jumped back to a safe distance.
"Ew, gross... Take care of that..."
Sighing, I reached into my saddle bags and pulled out two health potions. I chugged about a quarter of one, before putting the rest of the bottle's contents in my pipbuck. I did the same for the second bottle.
Bullet jumped up onto the desk, shouting as I slowly regenerated. "Stop!"
To my surprise, I heard no guns go off.
"This is my domain!" She continued. "You have no reason to be here. You know Humans are forbidden to travel on Equus 4156-K!"
Everyone looked as baffled as I felt when she referred to our planet as a code.
"You mean like Hollow?" One of them responded.
"She's in a native body." Bullet snapped. "She's been following the rules."
"Funny, considering her past with the Darkstar." There was a brief pause between the two, before he continued. "The rules have changed. And with all due respect, commander Bullet..." The entity spoke her name and rank with scornful hatred. "You're security. Not a soldier. I outrank you. So either you step aside, or I'll remove you myself."
She levitated her rifle, aiming it at the apparent Human. "Did she confirm these new rules? Or are you taking matters into your own hands? Choose wisely..." She spoke in a grave tone I've never heard from her before. "One answer will remove you from Wartime Strategy, and the other will remove that thing you mistake as a soul from your body. We've gone through this before, and I will NOT jeopardize the safety of the Hub. Not again! I've seen what happens when corrupted power takes hold, and I will kill or be killed if it means keeping my home safe!"
He chuckled softly, before responding. "I've waited so long for this..."
Suddenly, I heard Bullet's voice in my head. "Sorry in advance..."
Immediately following her sentence, my body was warped. Vertigo and agony invaded my senses as I quickly found myself face to face with a ranger, who had just jumped away, shouting from the sudden surprise.
"Shit, Charger, no!"
"Ah, shut up!" I blurted, putting a claw to my temple and rubbing it.
Both his shouting and the teleportation didn't help with my headaches...
That didn't feel like normal unicorn teleportation... For a moment, I felt myself tear itself apart and reassemble... That fucking hurt!
A pebble whapped his visor, and I glanced to my left and right to find the rest of my party was here.
Except Bullet...
They all had their guns on him, though they all seemed in pain, while Happy just glared in silence.
Bullet teleported us elsewhere.
I looked down at two laser rifles pointed at me from the ranger's armor, who was pressed up against a wall, not taking his visor off me. He wasn't firing though. That said something to me. I regarded him with a raised brow.
"Please don't hurt me..." He whimpered.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Whose side are you on?"
"I'm not with anyone, alright? Please, just let me go. I just wanna get out of here..."
The voices urged me to kill him. The dark, vengeful part of my heart was eager for me to do so too, just because he wore the armor of my former chapter.
But that went against what I believed in...
Scowling, I nodded my head to the side. "Go on... get out of here..." I said quietly.
He stared for a moment, silent but still shaking.
Electricity burst from my hoof as I bared my fangs. "Did I fucking stutter?" The pebble to the back of my head amplified the signal in both my hoof and my wrath. "I said get out of here!"
With haste, he broke into a full canter down the corridor that Bullet had teleported us in. I wasn't familiar with this place. Bullet must have travelled through here when Hollow was out looking for me. To stop me from looking in the memory orb...
"Why'd you let him go?" Aura asked in a spiteful tone. "He's your enemy. I would have killed him!"
I rested a hoof atop her head and sighed, watching as he ran as if his life depended on it. "He said he wasn't with anyone. I'd be a tyrant if I killed him for not being on my side... I'd be like Bristle..."
"What if he was lying?" Rivet questioned. "What if he said all that in hopes that you'd fall for it?"
I shrugged and looked at him with a blank expression. I wasn't feeling much in my heart at that moment. Numb...
The best feeling in the world...
"Maybe he was. But I have to believe that ponies can change themselves. They need that chance..." I glanced at Fire, before looking back at Rivet. "Otherwise, you and Fire wouldn't be here."
She hung her head down as Rivet sighed and looked away. "Yeah... right..."
I turned back to Fire. "I don't recognize this place. Do you have any idea?"
She looked around for a few seconds, before lifting her head up to two signs that were left flickering.
< - V-109
V-110 - >
"We're in deep. Unless Bristle had the generator relocated, I'd say we were pretty close to reaching it."
"How big is this place?" Rivet asked, raising a brow to both of us.
"Big." Fire and I both said in unison, before I resumed.
"I've yet to be on all the floors, and I grew up here. I was restricted to staying up near residential and engineering. I see why, now..." Sighing, I shook my head. "There's roughly 150 to 200 rooms per floor, and that's not including the corridors."
"And how many floors are there?" Fluky asked, looking up at me.
"You'd have to ask Fire that one..." I replied, to which Fluky scowled.
"I'm not talking to her. Ever. I remember her voice back at Saddle... I know who she is..."
Fire sighed and looked the other direction. "I deserve that."
"You're Goddess damn right." Aura muttered under her breath, glaring at my sister.
Still, Fire answered the question. "The last floor that I know of is floor A-G... It doesn't stop at Z."
Happy reached into his pocket as he frowned at my daughter, but I quickly stepped between them, glaring at him.
Slowly, he pulled his hoof back out as our eyes locked with each other. He didn't pull anything out, so I averted my eyes to look at the rest of the group. "Let's get going. The faster we get this over with, the better."
Rivet nodded. "Agreed."
"Fire, you take the lead." I said as I turned to her. "You're the one with the armor, so you'll be our front defense. Rivet and I will take the rear, in case anything tries to sneak up from behind. Para..." I stared at him for a moment as he playfully stuck his tongue out at me just slightly. "Just... stay between us. Fluky. Aura. You stay in the middle with Para."
"Negative." Aura said quickly as she hopped up on my back and sat there, aiming Mama's Gun ahead. "I'll be your turret!"
"Hey, yeah!" Fluky grinned before hopping up on Para's back, aiming her launcher over his head. I noticed Little Buddy looked up at her from one of Para's various pockets.
I couldn't tell if it was Para in that body, or Happy, honestly. He was acting silly again, so my bets were on Para. Especially since the battery was close by again.
We began venturing the corridors of the bunker once more, but as we made our way deeper in, I began to notice blood stained the walls and floor. Even the ceiling, in some places. Spent cell casings - as well as a variety of pistol, shotgun, and rifle casings - littered the floor.
"Where are all the bodies...?" Aura whispered in my ear.
"You don't wanna know..." I replied in the same volume.
Eventually, we reached the stairs. But upon descending down to the floor labeled 'W,' it became evident that the rest of the way down was blockaded by a variety of lockers, beds, chairs, and tables.
Fire sighed as she hung her head down and looked back at us. "Looks like we're gonna have to find another way down..."
"Elevator?" I replied with a tilt of my head.
She shook her head. "Power's probably out."
"What about the shaft itself?"
She paused for a moment, staring in silence. "Charger..."
"I vote for finding another set of stairs." Rivet stated.
"Uh, yeah..." Aura muttered. "Same. I'd rather not get crushed by a giant block of metal..."
"Alright, fine, fine!" I rolled my eyes. "We can just find another way down..." I looked back at Fire with a raised brow. "So? Do you know of any other way down?"
"Yeah, but you're not gonna like it..." She let out an exasperated sigh. "We'd have to go across 'W,' and even then, if this stairwell is blockaded, then that one might be too."
My hoof crackled softly as I grit my teeth. "Nope. Fuck that." A pebble came at me suddenly, but Aura smacked it away with her hoof before it could get me in the nose. I sighed and looked up at my daughter. "Thanks, dear."
"Glad to help, daddy!" She beamed down at me.
Goddesses, I loved her so much. My heart melted just from that smile alone.
I looked back to the blockade as I pulled out Chair. It unfolded as I brought it forth, and the legs pointed at my target. "Didn't wanna do this..."
The guns in the legs of Chair hummed as a red glow emanated from them, and four red beams of death were soon to follow.
Within a matter of seconds, only heated fragments of furniture and storage lockers littered the stairwell. Chair's depleted cell pinged out, before clattering on one of the steps, and steam hissed from the now opened vents as it worked on cooling itself down.
I popped in a fresh cell and started my way down, before I was greeted with a panicked voice.
"Stop right there! We're... we're armed! We'll shoot if you come down here!"
Fire and I turned to each other silently, before I cracked a smile. I looked back down at the entrance we were about to go through. "You'd only be wasting your bullets!" I called out, to which there was a momentary pause.
"Shit, it's Charger..." A new voice said softly. "What do we do now?"
"You could just let us through without trying to harm us." I said as I took a few steps down. "I'd rather you take this route, rather than the alternative. Not looking to hurt anyone that doesn't deserve it."
"Just... just like that? You'll let us go?" The first one asked.
"Well... Not quite. One other thing." I peeked my head around the corner, smiling softly at two rangers fully dressed in armor, looking right at me. They weren't shooting, so that was a plus. "You promise me that you won't harm another innocent unicorn ever again, and I'll let you go."
The two of them looked at each other for a few seconds, before they turned back to me.
"Hell no."
Wait, what? Seriously!?
My smile dropped into a frown, and two lasers shot out at me. One of them struck the wall I hid behind, while the other struck the stairs I had been on not too long ago.
"Unicorns don't deserve our sympathy!"
"Seriously!?" I blurted as red electric rage started to course through me from the inside. "I wasn't even asking for much!"
Aura quickly slid off my back and trotted away as I felt something moving around underneath my hide, in my back. My bones began to ache. I slouched as I started to pant. "You..." A darkness crept into from the corners of my vision, and wherever I focused, a green glow followed. My face felt like it was splitting apart! "ARE SO CLOSE MINDED, THAT YOU'D RISK YOUR PATHETIC FUCKING LIFE RATHER THAN ACCEPTING UNICORNS!?"
A pebble struck me in the back of my head, to which I spun around to him. "STOP THAT, NOW!"
Immediately, everyone in my party jumped back, looking petrified with fear as they stared at me.
I spun back to the entrance, before charging in.
But just as I started to run for these wastes of life, did a familiar beam of light strike into the one on the left, causing them to quickly turn to their right and divert their attention to their new targets. The one on the right stopped and stared at me for a moment, before backing up and running the other direction.
As his friend blasted at the several dozen hostile blips that appeared on my E.F.S., they returned fire, striking his visor. After a few hits from them, he began screaming as his armor started to dissipate into white, glowing flakes of ash.
His body dropped seconds before his head was gone, and the rest of his body began to deteriorate into nothing.
"Bullet's gone!" A voice shouted from down the corridor; the Human that Bullet had confronted earlier. "You're next, Charger! All Nekkra must be terminated! No exception!"
"Shit..." I stepped back into the doorway, looking back at my party. "We need to run."
"Yeah, you first!" Rivet blurted. "I'm not going anywhere near you!"
Seriously, I didn't know what they were so afraid of...
I stared flatly at them for a second, before rolling my eyes and charging down the stairs, skipping X and going to Y. There were no more stairs past that.
"Z... where's Z?" I spun back to Fire. "Where's the generator?"
"In Z..." She spoke quietly. "Only way to get to Z is through the service elevator in Y-177."
"Fine, let's go!" I blurted before quickly running off through the doorway to floor Y.
Immediately after, the lasers of a gatling blasted away at me, striking me in the chest and arms, and even a few times in the face, sending a hot, searing pain that washed over me like a flood. I quickly jumped behind the cover of a wall, panting and heaving as I put a hoof over my face. The health potions in my pipbuck were making a quick job of restoring me to working order, but it only took everything I had put into the metal bracelet.
I heard the vents of a sentry open up as steam hissed aggressively down the corridor from where I was.
The rest of my team quickly ran across to where I was.
"Wow, you look even worse..." Rivet stated as he regarded me; from a distance, no less.
The sentry's wheels began moving along the steel floor toward us. Just as I turned toward the corner where it was going to appear, I caught sight of the Humans that had been chasing us down.
They had stopped at the doorway. One of them pointed their rifle at me, while the others started firing at the sentry, which retaliated with a wave of gatling fire.
I quickly retreated as a beam of light grazed my cheek. I put a claw over where I'd been hit, wincing as I looked at my party.
"Fire, lead the way!"
With haste, she started down the corridor while the rest of us followed.
As I looked over my shoulder, the nameless Human that seemed to have a vendetta against me ran into view, aiming his rifle again.
I quickly spun around, whipping Chair out.
Just as laser fire ate through my barding and dug into my shoulder, I hit him with two of the four red beams, screaming in agony as I fell to my stomach. My insides felt like they were on fire!
As his armor melted around his leg, he cried out, falling on his side before crawling for shelter behind the wall, out of my sight.
Several more of his allies ran into view and began sending beams of bright blue light down the corridor, toward us.
I shielded myself using Chair, which surprisingly held its own.
Suddenly, I felt a set of talons grab me from behind before I was dragged away.
I looked back just in time to see an endless stream of megaspell energy flowing from Rivet's cannons.
The aggressive clicking from my pipbuck gave me a hint on how dangerous those guns were, even for the user and those around him.
Aura and Fluky quickly joined his side; sending charged shots of a gauss rifle and launching firework mortars at the new threats.
Rivet worked on dragging me back through a doorway on our left as I held Chair up as a shield for me and the griffon.
I watched as two of the Humans dropped to Aura's headshots, while the rest ran back for cover as Fluky's mortars combusted into a variety of colors, enveloping a large section of the T-intersection with a lightshow.
Seconds after I was dragged in through the doorway, Fluky and Aura ran in. Firebright and Para were the last to enter, and she locked the steel door.
I hastily pulled out a health potion and gulped it down as I felt the wound in my shoulder burn stronger. It felt like my flesh was being eaten away, and the scariest part of it was my virus wasn't reacting to it the way it normally would with an injury. I could feel it writhing about inside me, but it was like it wanted to escape, but couldn't. It felt weaker...
It felt like I was dying.
Once the bottle was depleted of its contents, I dropped it and panted, sitting up against the wall.
"That door ain't gonna hold them off for very long..." I muttered as the wound slowly began to close.
Thank fuck...
As I got up, I popped another fresh cell into Chair. The others were looking at me in concern.
"Well, at least his face isn't doing that thing, anymore..." Aura stated as her ears wilted.
"What thing?" I raised a brow.
"Well..." Rivet started. "The whites in your eyes went black, and your iris started to glow."
"Also, there's the part where the frickin' corners of your mouth split apart." Fire filled in. "You looked like a Stable-Tec experiment gone horribly wrong!"
I caught several red blips walking down the corridor for the door.
"Okay, that's nice. We can worry about that later." I backed away from the door, for the other side of the floor's maintenance room; where another door held potential for an escape route. The place was filled with a lot of back up generators, toolkits, and power cores. I caught Fire grabbing a few along the way.
"Don't have to tell me twice..." Aura stated as she ran for the door I approached.
I turned away from it as Rivet flapped his wings a few times, before hopping up and gliding over to the door. He opened it and poked his head in.
"Way's clear." He stated as he looked back at me.
I nodded as my shoulder finished recovering, though it still ached something fierce.
Aura and Fluky both ran through the doorway once Rivet pushed forward, and I followed. Para was behind me.
As Fire started to trot through, the door we had closed off opened abruptly, and two of the mysterious Humans stood on the other side.
Immediately following their presence, two laser beams crossed the room. One of them dug into Fire's backside, causing her to gasp as she nearly tripped over her own hooves. The other would have struck me as I turned to face them through the open doorway, if I hadn't lifted Chair to protect my mid-section.
I returned fire, grazing an arm of one of them before both retreated for cover.
Fire made it through the doorway, to which I immediately closed the door.
"You good?" I asked, regarding her.
"Yeah..." She nodded as she winced. "Ass burns a bit, but I'll live..." And with that, she was given a free pebble.
"Payback's a bitch, huh?" I replied with a faint smirk, to which she stared silently at me. That smile was short lived when I too was given a free pebble. Damn it, Para...
"Enough chit chat." Rivet said quickly. "This isn't over."
I nodded as I glanced in his direction. "Right." Turning back to my sister, I continued. "Fire?"
"On it." She replied quickly, before trotting down the left side of the corridor. The rest of us followed.
I heard laser fire not so far away from us, and as we approached a four-way intersection, several red blips took over the peripherals on my right. There was a lot of shouting, but I couldn't understand what they were saying through the firefight.
I stopped at the corner and peeked my head around, watching as several rangers fought against a variety of Nekkra; one of them being White Noise, and many others being their fallen friends and family. I recognized some of the afflicted.
Some of the Nekkra had succumbed to the ranger's weapons, but it was still a losing battle for the ponies I used to work for. It seemed that every passing second, one of them was either killed, consumed, or assimilated.
"Let's go." I said as I glanced to the others, before running across the intersection. They followed close behind, but I noticed Aura started to stop as she watched in horror of what was happening to the rangers. That caused me to stop.
Fluky, who ran past her, struck her side with her body.
"Run!" She blurted in a panic.
Aura shook her head back into reality and soon joined her. I continued running, keeping them in front of me.
Glancing to my right, I saw that some of the Nekkra, White Noise included, were now charging for us.
As we bolted further into the corridor, I heard those beams go off again, and Fire's screaming followed shortly after.
I spun around and heard the loud metal thud as she hit the ground. She cried out from the pain as she lied there. In the distance, I saw the Humans closing in.
I hastily ran back for my sister, raised Chair, and returned fire.
My aim was off at first, but as the four lasers lingered, I managed to swipe one of the red death bringers across one of my enemy's heads, causing it to burst almost instantly.
The other one hit the ground as his ally's corpse fell, as the same laser was about to strike him.
As he returned fire, one of the Nekkra ran in between us, taking the full blast of his shot. It screamed and hissed as it writhed in agony, but within mere seconds, it was dismissed.
There seemed to be a cooldown on his gun, because as more Nekkra ran into view, running for him, he didn't fire. He seemed more set on getting up and running.
As the Nekkra chased him down, closing in on him no matter how fast he ran for the door he came out of, White Noise stopped in the middle of the intersection and slowly turned to us, grinning.
Past her, I could see a tendril wrap around the Human's neck just as he was about to run through the doorway. He was abruptly thrown back, and as he screamed, all the Nekkra, save for White Noise, surrounded him. His voice was soon muffled and interrupted with his choked, desperate attempts of escape, even though it was inevitable at that point.
He cried out as they backed away, and his body seized up as I had seen before. He screamed. He cried.
And then it all stopped for a moment, before he slowly rose, slipping his helmet on again. I didn't get a full view of his face. The most I saw was his lips, which were stained with black.
They all turned to us in silence. I caught a faint whimper from Aura as I felt her press into my rear leg.
"Leave my friends and family alone." I called out.
White Noise took a step forward, And I thrusted Chair forward in an attempt to warn her off.
"I mean it!"
"We have no interest in them, father. They help you, and you help us. We have no need to change them... Unless, of course, you had another agenda." She raised a brow as I tensed up. "Such as destroying the generator, perhaps?"
My heart sank in my chest... She knew... How...?
"You cannot hide the truth from us, father. We live in the dark."
"Uh... boss?" Rivet said in a worried tone of voice.
I looked over my shoulder as White Noise and the others walked forward slowly.
Another group of the Nekkra closed in on our six, and accompanying them was the minotaur that seemed to be the leader of this operation.
"We will take it from here." He said in his low, guttural voice. "Give us the battery, and you are free to live whatever pitiful existence you have left."
I turned back to White Noise and aimed Chair's legs at the crowd that followed her.
"Guys..." I spoke softly as I pulled my rifle forward, working my mouth around the grip. "Fight like hell..."
"Are you certain this is the path you want to take, father?" White Noise wasn't grinning anymore... I wasn't sure what freaked me out more. When she was smiling, or when she wasn't. Both were gravely unsettling...
"Para, what are you doing!?" Firebright blurted.
I spun around to find him running up to the minotaur, holding the... wait...
Son of a bitch! He stole the battery from me!
"Para, get back here!"
As he came to a stop before the towering minotaur, he looked over his shoulder, back at me...
His wicked smile... the murder in his eyes...
That wasn't Para...
"Congratulations, Charger." Happy said as he mockingly saluted me. "I've told you time and time again we sought the same goal. Because of you, our dreams will come to life. Ponies will be saved."
Everyone turned to me, but my eyes stayed locked on him as he continued, tossing the battery a few times, only for it to land back in his hoof. "You've fulfilled your purpose. If you aren't going to help, then I suggest you leave." He pocketed the battery and sighed with relief as he looked up at the minotaur. "I've waited so long for this moment... Finally, we can make the world a better place."
"Yeahhh..." Rivet spat, before biting the bit of his battle saddle. "Fuck that..."
Two beams of death launched out from his cannons, striking various Nekkra at our six.
Happy and the minotaur quickly evaded, but not before one of those beams struck the leader in the leg.
He let out a roar of anguish as he and Happy made haste to flee the scene.
Fire spun around to the other group, spewing flames out at them.
Aura blasted away at Happy and the leader, but each hasty shot resulted in a miss. As they turned a corner, Fluky fired off a mortar after them, but there was no successful hit of the intended targets.
Instead, it took several of the Nekkra that charged our six upon combustion.
More beams of deadly energy struck Fire in the chest, causing her to fall back to the ground, screaming. Her armor began to disintegrate from where she was hit.
"No, no, no!" I rushed to her side and tore her helmet off before hastily digging into my saddle bags as she writhed about, screaming at levels I've never heard from anypony before.
Her chest was being eaten away!
"Here!" Rivet shouted shortly before a bottle of Hydra rolled up next to her. Perfect!
I quickly popped the cork off and put the neck to her lips. In her writhing screams, some of it dripped down her face, but I got most of it in her.
Before too long, the hole that had been growing in her chest started to reverse its effect and grow back. She was wincing and crying, but she was alive. I wasn't losing her.
But now there was a giant hole in her armor that exposed her chest.
I turned back to the infected Human, who was just about to fire off another round.
The Nekkra were seconds away from reaching us on both ends. There were too many to face with what little numbers we had.
I lifted Chair and positioned the legs, about to pull the trigger in my mind. No way in hell I was giving up.
Suddenly, out of the blue, they started dropping dead, before dissipating into smoke. That wasn't from our end.
The Human spun around, but before he could fire, a barrage of laser fire chewed through the armor and burst away at the infected flesh.
The body dropped, revealing to me Bullet, alongside another mare with a black coat and a dark blue mane and tail. Another unicorn.
There was something wrong with Bullet's face...
As some of the Nekkra diverted their attention to them, they disposed of the threats with each passing second.
White Noise grit her teeth in annoyance as she regarded me, before going into her true form and scurrying off into a vent.
I pulled the trigger of Chair as I swiped it from left to right, taking out the entire front line of Nekkra.
As Chair vented and pinged out the spent cell, I bit down on the bit to my rifle, peppering the remaining afflicted with incendiary rounds that I had been issued, back at the storage bay.
Their flesh caught fire as I sprayed hot, fiery lead at them.
In the corner of my eye, I witnessed Fire getting up and getting back into the fight; spitting torrents of fire at the group on our six.
It came to my attention that I was the only one focusing on the group in front of me. Everyone else was dismissing the other side of the corridor with fire, gauss energy, megaspells, and fireworks.
The Nekkra that remained changed their priorities from infecting or killing us to escaping the firing squad. Some tore through the vents and crawled into the shafts with haste.
Some. Not very many.
The rest tried and failed.
Once they were all dismissed, and the guns went quiet, Bullet stood there in the distance, looking at me with grit teeth, before pointing a hoof at me. "You owe me a fucking eye!"
Just then, did I realize what was wrong with her face...
A bloody red hole marked where her right eye had once been. Blood stained her coat in various places, and a deep trench of a cut stretched across her jaw, all the way down to the bone.
Everyone turned and looked at her as she stumbled toward us. Her friend let her lean against her for support.
"Happy grabbed the battery." I said quickly. "He's helping the Nekkra."
"Happy?" Rivet balked. "Wait..."
"Long story..." I stated, glancing at him for a moment, before turning back to my rescue.
"Son of a bitch..." Bullet spat blood on the floor. "They triggered the fucking security system at the hangar. I have to get back there and get those ponies out of there."
"Guess I was kicked out of the system after all..." Fire muttered, looking down. I could tell in her voice that she was in pain, but she was trying to push through it.
Bullet turned to the new mare. "Your mech has the coordinates I gave you?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Just don't go getting yourself killed, Bullet..." She nuzzled her neck. Bullet closed her... eye... at the contact, and as the new mare pulled away, she sighed.
"You do the same, Dream Catcher." She smiled wanly.
"I love you..."
"I love you too."
They nuzzled each other's noses for a second, before Bullet's horn lit up, and she disappeared.
The mare known as Dream Catcher regarded me coolly. "Charger, is it?"
"Yeah?"
She looked me up and down for a moment, before meeting my eyes again.
"You look like a mare."
Fire let out a pained giggle.
I regarded both of them in a deadpan. Seriously? The world is about to end, and you had to stop and tell me that?
"Yes." Dream Catcher stated with a hint of a smile curling on her lips. "I did."
... Oh. Right... Forgot they could read minds...
She raised her rifle in her magic; yet another instrument I was unfamiliar with.
"Let's get back to saving the world, shall we?" I caught a hint of frustration in her voice as she continued. "Then, if we're still alive by the end of this, I'm gonna have a nice long talk with you and my wife about your little joy ride back at Hollow's cave. I know what you two did back there."
"Uh oh." Rivet cracked a smile.
I sighed and turned to Fire. "Lead the way?"
She nodded. "On it." With that, she began to trot down the corridor that we were initially running through, before the Nekkra intervened.
The rest of us followed close behind.
Fire came to an abrupt stop, and after catching up with her, I saw why. Four red blips appeared in my E.F.S., ahead to the left and right of us. Two on the left, two on the right.
I popped a new cell into Chair and kept my mouth on the bit to my rifle as they approached for the intersection before us.
Everyone else readied their weapons; Aura and Fluky did so based on everyone else's actions, though they both looked confused for a moment.
Both groups stopping moving. I heard the steel hoof falls against the floor, which concluded that they were another small contingent of rangers that survived the attack.
My assumption was proven further to be true when a ranger's helmet peeked around the corner, before quickly retreating behind cover.
"Charger!" A mare called out. "We're not looking to fight you! Lower your weapons, and we'll return the favor!"
I kept my weapons up, and after a short while, she peeked her head out again, before retreating.
"Damn it, Charger! I'm trying to negotiate with you here! We have a common enemy, we can work together!" She paused, before adding to her argument. "Enemy of my enemy is a friend!"
Something sparked inside me, cause I instinctively found myself lowering my weapons.
The ranger peeked her head out again, before stepping out as my friends followed my lead.
"Who do you side with?" I called out, knitting my brows.
As her team stepped out into the open, standing beside her, their blips went from red to blue.
"Bristle is a psychopath." She replied. "He shot anyone who spoke against him. We thought we were on our own, but..." She took a step forward. "We would side with you, if you let us. There's a lot at stake. It doesn't matter what we are. Earth pony, unicorn, pegasus... In the end, we're all in this together, and we have to work with each other if we want to survive."
"Sounds like something you'd say." Fire stated as she gently nudged my shoulder.
I glanced at her as a smile curled on my lips. After a moment, I turned back to the rangers. "We're trying to get to the generator and destroy it."
"Then we have the same agenda." The mare replied. "We've been searching this floor, gathering any rangers we could to help us in the fight." She hung her head down and sighed. "Then we lost seven of them to both the shadows and these weird bi pedal... things."
I stepped forward slowly. "I'm sorry for your loss."
She nodded. "Thank you... I'd like to combine our resources and defend our home." She lifted her head, looking back at me. "Together. As earth pony and unicorn."
I smiled as the hope of change becoming a reality grew inside me. "Then let it be so."
"Ah for fuck's sake!" Aura blurted. "Why are you two talking like that? It's getting weird!" I turned to her to find she was glaring at the two of us. "Just fuck already and get it over with! We have a planet to save, remember!?"
The ranger looked away, muttering to herself. "I-I mean... I'm not opposed to it... again..."
Oh... she was one of my rapists. Great...
Rivet pinched the space between his eyes, sighing. "Gonna pretend I didn't hear that."
Even her allies seemed a little annoyed with what she just said, judging by the disapproving head shakes and sighing.
She shook her head abruptly, bringing herself back into reality. "Right. Well, the elevator is back that way." She gestured a hoof behind her.
I trotted up to her, and my team followed. "We better get there quick then. The battery is being delivered there as we speak."
The rangers around her started looking at each other, before one of them spoke up.
"You're kidding, right?"
"Wish he was..." Fire stated.
"Shit, what are we doing standing around here, then!?" The leader blurted, before spinning around and charging down the corridor. Her team followed her, which led to us chasing after them.
"My sentiments exactly." Dream said as she ran alongside me.
Fire took the lead of my group, trailing the rangers. Rivet stayed on our six, while Aura and Fluky stayed between. Dream and I were right behind Fire.
Directly ahead, not so far away, I could hear the violent, electronic, shrill whirs of a gatling. The roar of explosions, the screams of laser rifles, and the hissing of fire fell in the mix.
The corridor soon widened into a much larger room with an elevator shaft in the middle.
Sentries rolled into the room from a corridor at the other end, firing away at Nekkra and Human, who were initially fighting each other before the infected sought to eliminate the immediate threat.
Several other rangers stood behind military issued crates for shelter in one corner of the room, occasionally peeking out and blasting away at the Nekkra and Humans with laser, gauss, missiles, and 50 caliber beasts.
Several more of their allies laid strewn about - some melted, some in pieces - while the rest had been taken over by the Nekkra.
As I came to a stop with the others at the end of the corridor, and they opened fire on the invaders, the group of rangers turned to us. A lot of them stared, freezing up. Waiting for me to make a move... Waiting for me to attack them...
Instead, I gave a single nod to them and pointed Chair at the Nekkra.
Some of them jumped down into the shaft before I could sweep my red death across the opening. Even then, by the time Chair hissed hot steam and ejected the spent MCF cell with that pleasing ping, several Nekkra, two of the Humans - one of which was in the process of getting infected, judging by the pulsating tendril that had lodged into their neck, penetrating the fabric beneath the armor plating - and a sentry fell to my cause. The sentry had blown up, taking two others with it which resulted in a chain reaction. No one was near the blast, so it was short lived, unfortunately. But that was one less problem I had to deal with, all the same. They were red on my E.F.S., so that was a no go for me.
Two of the rangers behind the crates stepped around the corner; one on each end. As my team and I unleashed hell on the remaining Humans and the Nekkra, more sentries rolled in past the wreckage and fire, launching missiles and spraying red gatling death.
The last remaining Human was pushed back from the blast as the missile struck the ground at their feet, sending them sliding across the floor, before their armored head struck the wall. If they hadn't been wearing armor, the impact would have crushed their skull.
Some of the Nekkra turned to my group for only a split second, before running for the shaft and diving in without a second thought.
As the rest realized they were outnumbered, they sought only to evade and jump into the shaft with their allies.
I looked through my rifle's scope and fired in short bursts, setting their bodies aflame as they ran like cowards. They hissed and screamed as their mass burnt. Some had managed to jump down into the darkness, but they were still going to die. They were already on fire, and nothing was going to save them.
The ones that didn't jump down were too weak to do so.
At once, as I turned to face the sentries that rolled into the room, their red blips became blue to me. I stared for a moment, keeping rifle's crosshairs on them, until I caught a black hoof resting atop my gun. I looked to my left, to which Dream smiled softly at me.
"They're safe now. Don't worry about them."
I glanced at them for a second, before turning back to her.
The other ranger group began to approach as one of them spoke aloud.
"Thanks for not shooting at us."
I was still unsure of where they stood. Whether they were with the unicorns, or against them. But I was going to worry about that later. This was something that would affect all of us. I knew it, and they did too. Despite our potential differences, they were willing to work with me.
I nodded to them. "Thank you right back."
Firebright trotted over to the elevator shaft and hit the button. Everyone started doing an inventory check. I started to do the same, until the Human started groaning, rolling onto their side. Dream steadily approached them with a blank look on their face. The mysterious creature glanced up at them, before sighing and shaking their head.
"So you're working with them now, huh...?" She said, before coughing. "Fuck, my head..."
"You know Charger is off limits. Why have you been attacking him?"
"He's a Nekkra... If we don't kill them all now, then it'll never end."
"I'm in control of myself." I said as I trotted to them, stopping at Dream's side. "I'm not like the others."
"My boss says otherwise..."
Dream bit her lip, glancing to me for a moment, before turning back to her. "Who do you serve? Your boss? Or Mother?"
She paused for a moment, before chuckling dryly. "She should be more direct, then. Cause we didn't get any info about keeping Charger alive..."
She raised a brow, but said nothing, to which the Human continued.
"Either the rules of the game changed, or she's doing another one of her damn tests."
Now it was my time to raise a brow. What the hell were they talking about?
"Fuck this..." She murmured, sitting up against the wall and groaning. "This ain't my fight anymore... If I get labeled a deserter, then so be it. Nightmares await."
And with that, she flashed out of existence. Humans had teleportation magic too? I mean... now that I thought about it, I guess that kinda made sense. How else would they have gotten to the lower floors before me?
"Well, that happened..." Aura said as she stood beside me.
I sighed and shook my head, turning to Dream. "Guessing there's a story behind that?"
She nodded. "It's complicated."
I rolled my eyes and turned to the elevator, but as I started to walk for it, I felt the ground begin to tremble beneath my hooves to a deep hum. Something in my heart sank as it grew louder and stronger.
I turned back to Dream as her ears wilted. There was pure, unadultered fear in her eyes...
"What is-"
That was all I could get out, before I was thrown back, sliding across the ground for a moment. The others were shouting, but I could barely hear them over the loud, haunting choir of a hum. The room had been lit up by a white, ominous glow.
I felt someone's hooves shove against me repeatedly as I lied there, and looking to my right, I saw Aura shouting. I couldn't hear her. But her lip movement was screaming at me to get up.
I rolled over onto my hooves, lifting myself off the trembling floor as I faced the corner of the room we had come out of. I bore witness to a bright white light coming from the stretch of hallway we had come from.
Dream ran past me for the elevator, and as she bolted past, her voice spoke as clear as day in my head.
"We need to move. NOW."
I turned to her as she stopped at the group of rangers; many of which stared at the light, which reflected off their visors. They couldn't take their eyes off it.
"What is this!?" I shouted. But I couldn't hear my own voice, either. I was left without an answer.
It didn't matter. I had a strong feeling I knew what this was.
The feeling in my racing heart sinking down into my stomach gave me some ideas...
Failure was at our doorstep. Our extinction was imminent. The beginning of the end.
I looked down at Aura as she stared up at me. I found only terror in her eye.
My lips moved, yet neither of us could hear my words.
"I love you, Aura..."
I could barely even hear myself think.
She rushed in and held me close, and shortly after, Fluky charged forth, crying. I couldn't tell if Aura was trembling, I was, or it was just the bunker being torn apart.
I held both of them tight, burying my muzzle into Aura's mane.
Dream ran back up to me, waving her arms into view to get my attention. I turned to her, and she pointed a hoof at the elevator. I nodded, before looking down at the two fillies.
I took a deep breath as I stood tall, notifying them that it was time to move. Dream ran back for the elevator as I began to. The two fillies followed.
The crates that the rangers had been hiding behind began to slide across the ground, for the glowing destruction. Upon moving a few feet, they were instantly thrown into the light, vanishing from my view.
I came to a stop at the rangers. Dream was looking down the shaft, biting her lip in frustration. She shook her head and closed her eyes as she spread her legs out, still standing on all fours as she pointed her horn down the shaft. Deep down, I saw the same blue glow of her magic envelop something. It began to grow bigger as time went on.
Sparks flashed around the edges of the lift as she forced it up, straining herself, judging by the grit teeth. If I was able to hear anything apart from the hum, I imagined she would have been screaming.
Finally, the lift came to our floor, and as her magic was released, she collapsed to the floor, panting. Blood was leaking from her nostrils as she crawled onto the lift. Many of the rangers ran on, while one other dragged her the rest of the way, before reaching into a compartment in their suit and pulling out a health potion. As the elevator descended with all of us, the sentries included, the ranger carefully put the potion to her lips, giving her small sips at a time and keeping her head up a little. She kept her eyes closed all the while, but she was gulping down what they gave her.
I hoped that the other team at the hangars had extracted the rest of the unicorns in time... I had no way of knowing if they did or not...
As the elevator came to a stop at the bottom floor, Dream lifted herself up, wiping the blood from her nose before looking at me.
"I'm fine... Don't worry about me." She said in my mind.
The rangers and sentries charged down a short stretch of corridor. Dream started to run after them, to which Rivet, Aura, Fluky, and I followed. The ground shook violently from here.
Shortly after the rangers had reached the door at the end, did the rest of us catch up. Some of them replaced their power cores with fresh ones, replenishing the energy in their suits. Once everyone was ready, they turned to me, awaiting my permission to proceed.
Holding Chair out in front of me, ready to blast whatever awaited on the other side, I nodded.
The door opened, and for a brief moment, we all froze.
The room was massive. Like, Stable 32 massive! The ceiling knew no end!
Off to the right, just barely outside of my view, I caught the tail end of an Enclave Raptor.
When did Bristle get a hold of a Raptor!?
The floor was littered with crates, a lot of which had been pushed around; presumably by the light, which carried its glow from the far right, outside of my view.
It was safe to assume that everyone's primary focus was the colossal beast made of shadow that stood in the opening, growing bigger each second as various Nekkra forms ran for its limbs, melting into it.
I stepped through the open doorway, gazing up at the beast as its eyes began to carry a white glow. It's mouth opened with a set of fangs. In the small gaps between its teeth, I caught that same haunting glow.
This put Titan to shame...
It spoke in a deep voice that overlapped the humming of the light.
"BEAR WITNESS, FATHER!"
Oh... Shit...
Suddenly, a barrage of lasers whizzed past me, striking the giant in the chest. Missiles exploded at its hooves, but she only laughed.
"YOU CANNOT STOP ME, MUCH LIKE YOU CANNOT STOP WHAT IS COMING!"
Two horns began to form on either side of their head, pointing ahead of them, straight at us.
I fired Chair's four beams off at the monster's chest. For a second, I caught a stagger, but still, it didn't do much against her. She recovered fairly quick.
By the time she stopped growing, she was roughly the size of a five story building. Even Titan would have a hard time fighting this! I hated to admit it to myself, but I kinda wished he was here right now...
We needed someone like him...
As the horns were starting to finish their morph, I looked to the Raptor in the distance. That gave me an idea...
After popping another cell into Chair, I spun around to Dream, who was already looking at me.
"I know what you're planning." She said in my mind. "I'll tell the others so we can all get coordinated."
"Thanks." With that, I quickly spun back to the beast and fired another wave of laser at her; this time, striking her head.
She recoiled a bit, wincing before shaking her head, hissing.
The vents purged hot steam, and the cell pinged. As my team resumed opening fire and spreading out across the floor, I made a run for the Raptor. Aura and Fluky were going in the same direction, only they were taking detours; hiding behind crates and inventory every so often.
The light turned out to be a pillar of white, shooting out from the generator in the distance, under a section where the ceiling began to descend closer to the ground, revealing itself. A giant hole had been torn through, however.
The giant kept her focus on me, despite the others repeatedly shooting at her. As I ran for the Raptor, I noticed two white lights growing from the horn's tips.
I grit my teeth as I fought myself to run faster. The electricity in my hoof flared to life, dancing along the crates I passed by.
Just as I looked back at the Nekkra, two beams of that same white light shot out from the horns, dragging along the floor, coming in on my left. As it raced along the cargo bay after me, the inventory of the bunker's hardware went airborne from the impact of the beams, sending a flurry of crates, empty suits of power armor, vertibucks, and even tanks across the bay.
One of the crates flew mere inches over my head, before it changed its trajectory and moved for the beacon of light that launched out from the generator far in the distance.
One quick glance to my left, I was greeted with a blinding light. I expected hot, searing pain when it struck me. But all I felt was cold. So cold... deep down inside me. My soul felt like it was burning away from it all.
It hurt to be alive... Something was incredibly wrong. I didn't feel right...
My body went airborne, flailing as I struck a variety of things along the way. I would have kept going farther if I hadn't struck a wall.
I came to a landing on my back, and as I looked up at the dark pit where a ceiling was supposed to be, feeling paralyzed, I stared silently as a tank began to collapse down atop me, ready to crush.
I couldn't move...
Just as it was about to smash my head in however, it came to an abrupt stop. Everything began to feel lighter. The air itself was like a feather.
My body slowly lifted off the ground, and the tank directly above me started to redirect its path for the light of the generator.
That's when I saw it. The hole that the beam had tore through was getting bigger more rapidly. The light was much more powerful now.
I looked around my surroundings and found that everything and everyone was defying the laws of gravity as much as I.
I was raised up off the ground by a few feet before I was thrown back down, tethered by Equus' pull.
Crates and suits were slingshotted across the bay the moment gravity sustained itself. One of them nearly struck me as it flew past, and as it did, I heard for a brief second, the desperate screams of a stallion within.
I watched in horror at the realization as his body flew into the light and launched up with the rest of the debris.
I turned back to the Nekkra as she began stomping around the bay, towards one of the rangers that had just launched a missile at her chest. It didn't seem to affect her much physically, but she definitely seemed more agitated.
I turned back to the Raptor just in time to catch a few glimpses of Aura and Fluky running through the clutter of crates, towards the aircraft.
Good... They were still set on fulfilling their task.
I resumed running for the Raptor, feeling in control again while the Nekkra wasn't focused on me or the two fillies.
"What did I tell you about going home!?" A voice shouted right behind me. Before I could turn to see who it belonged to, I felt the tips of two forehooves jab me in the spine, sending yet another sharp, paralyzing pain throughout my body.
I fell to the floor, crying out... helpless.
"You should have listened to me..." He said aloud, his muzzle practically pressing into my ear.
Only then, did I piece together who it was. The one and only Happy. And now I was about to be one of his victims...
My whole body felt locked in place.
His forehooves wrapped around my arms, raising them up. My head was cast down as we both lifted off the ground with very brief descents after every rise that I hadn't noticed until a few seconds.
The small breeze on both sides of me helped confirm that Happy had wings.
I felt his breath against my ear as he continued to speak. "I like you, Charger. So I'm going to save you. You won't suffer anymore..."
I noticed we were starting to move towards the pillar of light...
No, no, no! Shit! Now was a great time for my body to start working again!
He soon yelped as his grip around me loosened. I fell atop a small stack of crates, before sliding off and striking my back against the ground once more. I stared up at Happy just as a second round of gauss energy drove through his wings of shadow and smoke.
He flew for the generator desperately, but his wings gave out, causing him to plummet. I wasn't sure how far he had landed, since he left my field of view.
I was still unable to move. My world was pain. I would have preferred a tank landing on top of me than this.
Aura ran into my view, looking down at me worriedly. "Are you okay!?" She shouted. I could barely hear her, but I managed to make out what she said.
Unable to move or speak, I simply stared up at her. But I found I could still move my eyes. I moved my pupils back and forth.
Aura stared for a moment, before it dawned on her that I wasn't okay.
She hastily reached into her saddle bags and pulled out a health potion, before biting the cork off, spitting it out to the side, and pressing the neck of the bottle to my lips.
With too much intake in such short notice, my gag reflex went berserk, sending me into a violent fit of coughing.
She grimaced apologetically as she moved the bottle away from my lips.
Through my coughing, I managed to finally slip some words out.
"Fuck, my lungs..."
At least my body was starting to recover from whatever Happy did to me.
"Sorry, daddy..." She said as she took my claw in her hoof.
I slowly lifted myself back up, groaning as my limbs shook, threatening to give out from my own weight.
I turned around in time to see the Nekkra shoot a tendril from her mouth, down at one of the rangers. I didn't see any more missiles hitting her.
The tendril stabbed through the chest of a ranger that carried a gatling laser, and as they were hoisted up and pulled into the mouth of the beast, they continued firing at her.
It didn't last long though, as the tendril retracted back into her mouth as fast as it had lunged at the ranger.
Her mouth snapped shut, and almost immediately, she turned to Dream, who was standing in the distance behind a tank, firing at her.
Her mouth opened wide, emitting the white glow from within her maw. A voice screamed...
"FUCK, IT'S GOT ME! IT HURTS! SHOOT ME! PLEASE, KILL ME! FUCK!" There were desperate cries and shrieks to make the pain stop.
Aura and I stared, horrified with what we were hearing.
"I CAN FEEL IT INSIDE ME! PLEASE, KILL ME!"
As the blood curdling screams continued, the light began to grow at the tips of the Nekkra's horns.
I spun around to Aura and pointed a claw at the Raptor. Fluky was nearly there.
Aura, without hesitation, turned and ran for the aircraft. I followed right behind her.
As we ran through the mess of cargo, gravity became non-existent again.
Aura and I had no warning, and so in mid-canter, we were pulled up off the ground, spiraling.
The light from the generator grew brighter still, and the hole in the ceiling stretched out at an even faster rate.
My body struck the side of an airborne suit of power armor shortly before everything plummeted to the ground again.
I fell on my side, groaning and hissing just before Aura fell a few feet in front of me. She cried out in pain as she held her leg.
Scrambling to my hooves, I ran over to her.
"Aura, are you okay!?" I asked in a panic.
"I landed wrong!" She shouted as tears broke free. She rested her head against my chest for a few seconds, before a tank nose dived right behind her.
We both jumped from the surprise and stared at it in awe, struck with the realization of how close we had been to getting crushed.
Then it began to tilt...
Aura's ears folded back as she stared up at the vehicle, now towering over us.
Without a word, I picked her up and put her on my back, before turning and running to the side as it started to descend faster.
Aura clung tight to me, wrapping her forehooves around my neck as I hoofed it for a bundle of crates that sat in a heap.
As the bottom of a tank became our sky, falling down on us, I leapt.
I had landed atop one of the crates just as the treads released a mechanical thunderstorm against the steel flooring of the cargo bay.
I felt the very tip of my rear hoof clip the vehicle as I lunged for my daughter's safety.
My hoof was sore, and I was sure that it was gonna be bruised for some time, but I had suffered much worse, and more importantly...
... My daughter was alive.
Frightened, judging by her trembling as she clung tightly to me... But alive. I wasn't gonna complain.
I shuddered at the thought that I had nearly lost her... The thought of her screaming in fear, seconds before it crushed her and she went silent... The terror in her eye as she looked at me, paralyzed with fear... Her blood splattered around the tank that replaced her...
Get out of my fucking head!
I tried desperately to shake the thought away, but I saw an alternate reality whenever I closed my eyes. One where I had failed her. One where I froze at the sign that I was about to lose one of the last relics of love I had left in my life.
I closed my eyes and stood up, fighting through my emotions to keep pressing forward.
My limbs were shaking, weak under the weight of my own body. My heart thumped in my chest, and my hoof emitted electric red. Not from anger, but from an unspeakable fear that settled in my stomach.
Upon opening my eyes, I looked ahead at the Raptor. We didn't have too far to go.
I had a job to do. If I didn't do it now, then my fears would become a reality. I would lose her, along with all my friends. There was no running from this. I had to fight back the demons within myself as much as I had to fight the demon in the cargo bay.
I pushed forward; Aura still on my back, clinging to me.
As I rushed for the Raptor, I looked to my left to see the Nekkra dragging a hoof along the ground as it spun, flinging military hardware, crates, and even some of the rangers I formed a truce with across the bay.
I ducked behind a small mound of crates as various equipment and hardware rained down around us.
One of the rangers fell to the ground in front of us, rolling along the floor until they crashed into the frame of a vertibuck. They remained still and silent as they lied there...
Dream popped into existence before us, regarding me apprehensively.
"Get up!" She shouted. "We don't have anymore time!"
I stood up as she spun around, hoofing it to the tarmac, where the Raptor rested.
I soon realized why it had sat still while everything else went airborne, once I saw it's body was tethered down by six different chains that were latched to the floor by steel hooks, all of which were securely locked in place.
Fluky poked her head out of a side door for a second, shouting.
"C'mon, I need your help!"
With that, she retreated back into the vehicle.
Dream's horn flashed to life, and as I turned around, I saw several crates and a vertibuck propeller about to crash into  us, just before her magic enveloped the objects and brought them to a halt.
The Nekkra stared down at us, grinning from afar.
Dream threw the objects back at her, but they shattered against her chest with no effect.
Immediately after, I froze at a new sight. Aura stood beside me, and despite the deafening hum behind us, I could have sworn I heard her start to cry...
I grit my teeth, trying to keep my own tears back as Snow Star stood between me and the giant.
"Aura, dear..." She said in a gentle tone as clear as day. "Charger, my love..."
"No..." Aura shook her head as her gun dropped.
I couldn't take my eyes off Snow Star as she smiled at us. It felt like the world around us froze... The humming, the gunfire, the screaming... It all went quiet.
"We can be a family now. Like we've always dreamed."
It was true. I wanted that more than nearly anything. For all of us to be a family again...
But that dream died when I saw her grave... This wasn't real.
"Fuck you." I said, glaring at the imposter as I raised Chair up and pulled the trigger.
The four lasers struck her chest, causing her to collapse. Screaming as black oozed out from her.
I closed my eyes, hanging my head down as the sound of her agony invaded my ears.
It didn't last long, though.
I opened my eyes again, looking up at the giant to find her grimacing.
Tendrils began to slide out from her chest, reaching across the bay for us as her horns began to glow.
I quickly nudged Aura, who was still staring at where the imposter once stood in horror.
She shook her head abruptly, brought back to reality. After a brief glance at me, she turned and ran for the stairs that led up to the door of the Raptor that was left open.
Dream was already halfway up.
I followed Aura up the steps and slammed the door shut behind me, locking it before turning to the party. Just then, did the Raptor begin to shake from the impact of the white beam of light the giant launched at us. Thankfully, we were tethered down, and the vehicle seemed to still be in one piece...
Aura was sitting on her haunches, her eye cast down as she was lost in thought.
Dream set Mama's Gun down beside her as Fluky looked over the controls in the bridge we stood in. She turned to me with sorrowful eyes.
"I'm sorry, Charger..."
"Yeah..." I sighed as I started for the controls. "Me too..."
I popped a new cell into Chair as I stopped at Fluky's side, looking over the controls.
The layout looked familiar from a certain flight training simulation I snuck into during my time in the bunker. It was only for fun, though. I didn't expect to ever actually get the chance to pilot a Raptor in real life.
"Let's hope I do better than last time..." I muttered as I punched in a series of buttons and flicked the switches up for the two motors.
"Last time?" Fluky cocked a brow, looking up at me.
I chuckled softly as the engines woke up. "Yeahhh... didn't do so great in the simulation. Some thousand ponies died, city was on fire..." I grabbed the wheel as I looked out at the bay through the window. "We'll probably be fine..."
"Probably..." Fluky bit her lip nervously before I looked over my shoulder at Dream.
"Can you unhook us?"
"Should I be worried?" She asked as her horn lit up.
"Probably." A hint of a smile grew on my muzzle, but I still felt like shit on the inside with what I just saw.
Dream rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You're unlatched now." She stated as her horn diminished. Blood soon leaked from her nose, to which she hissed in pain, wiping it away. "Damn it..." She muttered.
As I turned back to the controls, I gripped the throttle and eased it forward.
As if the humming outside wasn't bad enough, the most ear raping shriek echoed throughout the Raptor as the bottom of it slid across the tarmac. Like nails on a Goddess damned chalkboard! Gah!
I grit my teeth at the sound, pulling the throttle back.
"Stars..." Dream muttered, before speaking up in annoyance. "Were you drunk when you did your flight training!?"
My ears folded back as I looked down at the controls. "Probably..."
I was immediately pulled away from the controls as Dream took my former spot.
"Hey!" I barked, glaring at her.
"We don't have time for this!" She snapped. "I'll fly. You're in charge of the batteries."
The Raptor jolted suddenly, and as I fell on my flank, a black, smoky tendril slid along the window. Dream frantically got to work on the controls.
"BATTERIES, CHARGER! NOW!"
I scrambled to my hooves as the Raptor began to tilt, shifting abruptly to the right.
I ran for the console in the center of the bridge and started up the terminal, before spinning around to Aura and pointing a claw to her, and then the left side console.
"Aura, man that gun!"
"On it!" She replied as she ran for the controls.
I spun around towards the front as Fluky tried to maintain her balance. "Fluky, you're on the right!"
She looked to me for a brief second, before nodding and stumbling over to her assigned console.
My screen flashed to life just then, revealing to me one of the gun's point of view on the top of the Raptor. A girthy tendril quickly slid into view, slithering along the roof of the vehicle, blocking most of my view.
With no hesitation, I grabbed the wheel, squeezed the grip, and opened a barrage of laser against the infected darkness.
As it recoiled, burning away, I heard the giant wail in searing pain... at first. It quickly morphed into aggravation.
I steered the gun to the right, revealing the Nekkra was standing a lot closer than I had imagined. Dozens of tendrils came from her, violating the vessel we occupied.
"WHY DO YOU FIGHT?" She roared, before jolting the Raptor closer to her. Aura and I barely managed to use our consoles to support us from falling, but Fluky landed on her back, struggling to get back up from the quakes. "YOU ALREADY LOST!"
The Raptor's frame began to creak and groan in protest, to which Dream's horn lit up. She cried out in pain as it grew brighter, but shortly after, the giant outside roared.
We quickly ascended upon being released, but I caught a glimpse of its tentacles burning away.
I quickly turned a dial beside the screen as I shouted.
"Switching to the lower guns!"
The screen flashed to a new feed, giving me a view of the generator and its ominous beacon of light.
I spun the turret around to the right, aiming down at the Nekkra as she glared up at us.
Fluky managed to get back up and man the vessel's right guns as I aimed at the beast.
Her life was in my crosshairs.
Just as I opened fire, the screen went to static.
"Lower gun is down!" Dream blurted. "What happened!?"
"I don't know, I-"
I was quickly interrupted to the presence of a serial killer I had been traveling with, flying outside of the window. His wings seemed to have restored themselves.
He grinned at me, and in his hooves was the barrel of a dismantled turret.
He dropped it before flying upward.
"Great..." I deadpanned, before turning to Aura. "Take over. I'll deal with him..."
I backed away from the controls, looking at Dream as she piloted the aircraft.
"Get me as close as you can to the generator. I'll shut it down."
She nodded. "Heading there now."
I began to turn towards the ladder that led up to the hatch, before Aura shouted. "Hey!"
I paused, looking at her as she trotted up to me.
"You be careful!" She quickly moved in and hugged me tight, nuzzling into my armored chest. "I love you, dad."
Smiling, I wrapped a hoof around her head, holding her as I pressed my lips to her mane.
"I love you too, Aura..."
I glanced at Fluky as she focused fire on the giant below us.
Smiling down at Aura for another few seconds, she smiled back at me, before going for the controls I reassigned her.
I trotted up to Fluky and held her close, but she stiffened.
"H-hey! What-"
"And I love you too, Fluky!" I beamed as she struggled in my grasp.
"Yeah, great! Love you too! But I'm busy! Trying to prevent the end of the world, remember!?"
I frowned as I backed away. That struck a nerve in my heart...
Sighing, I turned around, heading for the ladder.
As I passed by Aura, I heard her mutter under her breath. "Rude..."
I climbed up the ladder in the back of the room, spun the wheel on the hatch above me, and pushed it open before climbing out.
I lightly bucked the hatch door shut with my real hoof as I looked around the platform I stood on. Dream's magic locked it.
I just barely managed to see the ceiling of the bay. The beacon of light from the generator helped reveal it from its glow.
I unfolded Chair as I saw a winged silhouette cast in the light, approaching. He came in for a landing a few feet away from me, grinning.
My hoof flared with electricity as I raised Chair at him.
"Just die already..."
Four beams of red launched out over where Happy was just a second ago. But just before I fired, I witnessed him jump to the side, before breaking into a full canter to the railing.
As I swung Chair around to strike him with the lasers, he lunged over the railing and descended.
My MCF cell pinged out, to which I quickly popped a new one in. I didn't have very many left...
I followed his blip on my E.F.S. intently as he circled around to my right. He froze for a moment, before moving faster, and within a second, he rose up into view with one of the chains that had once kept the Raptor tethered to the ground.
I unleashed another stretch of laser, swinging it upward as he flew overhead.
The chain struck my chest, but to my fortune, the thick padding in my barding protected me.
My shot wasn't so great, though. Another wasted cell flung out from Chair, before rolling off the platform.
As the giant roared below us through the endless laser fire, Happy's blip vanished.
I knew right then and there what he was doing. Had the tables been turned, I would have done the same thing.
I spun around, looking for the smallest hint of movement in either my E.F.S. or perception.
I caught a glimpse of a red blip to my left, but it diminished just when I turned to face it.
I stared in that direction for a few seconds, before I started to hear a whooshing sound getting louder. Like something whipping through the air, faster and faster...
Just as I started to spin around, I caught the view of Happy's chest, and a rapidly swinging chain.
I fell back as a stinging beyond my imagination lingered across my face. I felt blood gush. The virus inside me wasn't doing anything anymore...
My vision became extremely blurry in an instant.
The intense agony and the fluid that oozed out of my left eye made me realize what had happened.
My right eye was practically useless, and now I was blind in my left! Thanks, birth defects! Really appreciate it!
Wincing as my blood spilled from the large gash in my face, I reached into my saddle bags and hastily pulled out a health potion. Another resource that was facing depletion, judging by my frantic search for just one...
I ripped the cork off the neck with my teeth, spat it out, and began chugging relentlessly. I should've put one in my pipbuck when I was waiting on the elevator! Damn it!
As my vision began to sharpen and restore, I heard the chain whipping through the air again.
I looked around as best I could, but I could still hardly make anything out.
Suddenly, I felt the steel links strike my back at full force, before wrapping around my barrel and getting yanked back. Even through the barding, it stung a little. I imagine it would have been much worse without it.
I landed on my stomach, screaming in frustration just before I felt Happy get on top of me, pinning me down on my stomach.
My armor began to loosen as I felt the zipper at my neck start to go down to my chest. As it moved down my stomach, I felt several appendages slither along my coat like snakes, exploring my body within the armor. Sliding along my stomach and back, traveling to my navel and beyond as a variety of others wrapped around my forehooves. Slipping between my legs, feeling me... studying every inch of me as the rest moved down my legs...
"H-Happy, what are you doing?" I questioned through the pain in my face. I tasted my own blood as it dripped down my lips.
His muzzle lightly pressed into my ear as he spoke. "I'm taking what's mine. Together, we will be one... Stronger. Better. The species others could only dream of... And together, we will save everyone..."
I didn't like the sound of that...
As I struggled to get away, the tendrils around my body tightened, holding me in place.
"Stop fighting..." He spoke in distaste. I caught a hint of a growl under his breath.
My limbs began to separate with the sleeves of my barding, shortly before my body was pulled out, leaving me naked and exposed. My armor was tossed aside, but before I could turn to look at it, a tentacle wrapped around my neck; its tip ending at the back of my head, forcing my cheek against the steel platform.
My hoof began to emit its red glow, but before it could do anything in my favor, I felt a sharp pain develop in the back of my skull, causing it to stop abruptly.
Something inside me was starting to diminish as the tendrils around my form began to sink into my coat. I was being consumed...
"G-get off me..." I groaned as I felt them inside me.
They went in deeper, seeking more of me...
My eyes began to force themselves closed as I felt his body press further into mine, his coat brushing against me, and his hooves holding mine down...
Then, at the auditory sign of his discomfort, he and the tentacles recoiled from me.
My eyes shot open wide as blood oozed from the holes that were left in me upon the tendrils leaving. I gasped from the sudden jolt of pain, shaking.
I rolled onto my back, crying out as I looked around for my barding.
I couldn't find it on the platform! It must have fallen off!
"Dad!" Aura shouted, just before something tapped my flank.
I looked down at the hatch to find her aiming her gauss rifle out as she peeked through the door that was left ajar, supported by the top of her head.
The battery behind her was aiming directly at me.
I looked down, wincing, to which I found a Med-x syringe laying beside me.
I quickly grabbed it and jabbed it into my flank, injecting my body with numbing goodness.
I saw Aura's horn light up just before a health potion levitated over to me.
I quickly snagged it and began chugging the contents. I couldn't feel myself regenerating, but I could at least see it. That was enough proof I needed to know it was working.
Happy suddenly dropped next to the hatch with two broken wings, grabbing Mama's Gun.
"Hey!" Aura shouted. "Give that-"
He abruptly slammed the hatch door on her head.
"Silly girl!" He shouted in distaste, glaring down at the door. "Didn't your parents ever teach you that it's unsafe for children to be playing with such thing!?"
Just as he started to turn around, I got up and started to charge for him. Just as I rammed into his body, did I notice a large number of black tendrils sticking out from his chest.
We both toppled over each other, coming to a stop with his head hanging over the edge, above the left propeller motor. His tendrils wrapped my neck, choking the air out of me.
I held my claws out, glaring down at him as he grinned, and as my strike came down on him, he was left with a clean cut across his face, much like he had done to me with his chain, but four times that.
The appendages around my throat loosened, but still, he smiled up at me without a care in the world.
Just as I was about to land another blow, the Raptor quickly shook, before tilting to the side.
The two of us went sliding across the platform to the right.
My rear hoof burst with life again as I grasped desperately for anything to grab a hold of.
I watched for a moment as Happy managed to grab his chain again, but that was about it for him.
There was nothing within my reach either..
As I slipped under the railing, I reached my hoof out for one of its supports as I plummeted for the meat blender that was the right propeller motor. Directly below that was the giant, who had a hold of the vehicle with its tentacles, bringing it down.
I dangled off the edge, staring my imminent doom in the face.
I could feel the heat rising from the propeller as it worked tirelessly to stay upright. The ends of the blades began to grow red as they spun faster.
The giant was smiling at my misfortune...
I looked back up just in time for a gauss rifle to smack me in the face. For a split second, I winced from the pain, but immediately reached my claws out for it as it began to descend for the propellers.
To my success, I grabbed a firm hold of the barrel. I sighed with relief as I stuck the end between my legs, holding it in place as I worked my claws around the grip and trigger.
Just as I started to aim at the giant, Happy descended for the propellers, before whipping the chain up, wrapping around the hock of my leg.
I yelped as it tightened around me from the force of Happy's weight, who dangled below me. I felt blood trickle from my leg as my grip around the railing was slowly becoming a losing battle.
As the lower guns blasted away at the Nekkra, she finally let go, roaring.
The Raptor leveled itself out, ascending once again.
Both Happy and I slammed against the side of the vehicle. My grip loosened more.
Happy looked up at me, grinning.
"What's the matter, Charger? You seemed fine with this back at the apartments! Remember!?"
His tendrils began to wrap around the chain, lifting himself up slowly, but carefully.
I aimed Mama's Gun down at him, looking through the sights as best I could.
As the hum of a charging round hung between us, he used his rear hooves against the side of the vessel to sway left to right.
My claws began to slip further... I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold on...
"Happy!" I shouted as I grit my teeth.
I fired a round, but it barely grazed his rear hoof. That didn't stop him.
"Fuck off!" I charged another round as I swung my rear hoof away from the vessel, before smacking it against the side as hard as I could, hoping the impact of his body against the exterior of the Raptor would help loosen his grip. That didn't seem to be working in my favor, however.
"Weee!" He beamed up at me.
The fucker was enjoying this!
I fired another round, but it only resulted in another miss.
Second after second, he got closer to me.
Fuck, this wasn't working! Plan B!
I struck my metal hoof against the chain, but nothing happened. I saw it was active! I struck it again, but still, there was no effect!
I closed my eyes, expecting the equivalent of a lightning storm to travel through me if this worked. There was a good chance this would kill me...
I didn't want to do this...
I didn't want to die...
Not now.
I shook the thought away as I held down the trigger, ready to charge another shot in Mama's Gun.
But instead, I was greeted with the beep of a depleted cell.
Damn it!
I glared down at Happy.
"GO TO HELL!" I screamed as I rammed the enraged hoof against the chain.
Crimson death rippled across the length between us, enveloping Happy as he screamed. I felt the electricity, but... it wasn't hurting me... It was warm... But welcoming, almost...
Another mysterious trait to Tungsten metal, perhaps?
I watched as Happy let go of the chain; the once again wingless pegasus falling.
"CHAR-"
...
And going in one end of the propellers, he came out the other as black rain and chunks of flesh.
I stared down at the blackened propellers for a moment, realizing that I had just lost my friend...
Not Happy... But Para. He was trapped in that body. Or... maybe he was in the battery still. The whole thing was still confusing to me...
Regardless, I had to put an end to that.
"Dad?"
I looked up from the propellers - from the Nekkra, who glared up at me in dead silence - to see Aura standing at the edge, holding a hoof out. Blood trickled from her forehead.
"Come on... Let's get you up..." She glanced past me for a brief moment at the propeller just before I reached the gun over to her.
She took it from my grasp with her magic, before I grabbed her hoof, putting in a great effort to lift myself up so she didn't have to.
Upon slipping under the railing, I rolled over on my back, panting as I stared up at the ceiling of the hangar.
Aura began undoing the chain around my leg.
"I'm sorry it came down to that..." She stated, focusing on the kink in the chain.
"Had to be done..." I replied simply, staying fixated on the ceiling.
I felt the chain loosen around my leg, and as she took a step back, I stood up.
"Let's get this over and done with..." I said as I looked over the edge.
The giant was throwing the bunker's inventory at the Raptor, but it wasn't doing much against it.
"Focus fire on the Nekkra while I deal with the battery."
I turned back to Aura as she saluted me. "Aye, captain!" She grinned, before running for the hatch and descending down the ladder.
As the hatch closed, Rivet landed beside me. In his talons was Chair. He held it out to me, to which I took it. 
"Thanks." I shouted over the hum. "How is everyone doing down there?"
"They're all hiding. The ones that survived, I mean. We don't stand a chance against that." He pointed down at the Nekkra.
I nodded. "We're not doing too great up here, either." I looked down at her for a moment, before turning back to him. "I need you to fly me to the generator."
He nodded back. "You got it, boss. Just don't thrash around like last time."
"I'll try my best." I replied just before he took to the air and wrapped his talons around to meet at my stomach. He lifted me up with ease, and we took off for the generator.
Thankfully, she was distracted with the Raptor to notice us take off.
I saw Firebright running along the floor for the same thing.
Just as we landed next to her, the ground shook violently. More than it ever had before. The steel of the floor, walls, and ceiling screamed as they were twisted and torn from their foundations. The hum grew louder, raising its pitch.
I saw Rivet shouting, but I couldn't catch even a hint of his voice, or the gunfire behind us.
And then it all went silent as the beam of light vanished...
The gunfire ceased, but the Raptor's engines were still active in the background as the giant fought with it.
Rivet, Fire and I all looked to each other, baffled by whatever that was...
I opened my mouth to speak.
"What was-"
Shadow burst from the generator, launching up to the heavens as the bunker groaned in protest. The column of darkness roared like a concert of brass instruments as it tore away at all it touched, bringing it up to the surface.
Gravity began to diminish once more, but it was coming to a subtle approach, unlike all the other times.
The steel sky crudely tore apart, revealing to me the night as the remnants of the bunker were thrown up with the shadow's violent current.
Red lines began to burn into the moon's surface as the world around me fell apart.
I spun around to Rivet, shouting as loud as my vocal range allowed me to.
"Get everyone out of here!" I hastily turned to my sister. "Fire!"
She took her helmet off, staring deep into my eyes. "NO! If I'm going to die, it's going to be by your side! I owe you that much!"
I regarded her silently for a few seconds before turning to Rivet. "Get everyone out! Fire and I will deal with the generator!"
He nodded before launching himself off the ground.
I glanced at Fire before running for the generator. She followed in my hoofsteps.
I stopped a few feet in front of the generator, baffled with what I was seeing.
"You didn't say anything about five extra batteries, Fire!" I blurted as I turned to her. She looked as puzzled as I felt.
"We didn't have any! I don't know where these came from!"
"Fuck it, we'll play it by ear!" I rushed forward, and Tuner appeared.
"Thank fuck you're here!" He said immediately with a worried look plastered on his face.
Ignoring him, I ran for the middle battery on the top row, fitted into one of the slots.
"This ends now!" I screamed as I reached my claws out to grab the cylinder powerhouse.
"Wait, Charger!" Tuner shouted.
I didn't register it in time. I was so focused on making all this chaos end that I didn't think.
As my claws made contact with the battery, I felt them burn away from the heat that was emitting off them.
"Fuck!" I shouted as I jolted my hoof back. I hissed in pain as the searing pain lingered. Without the Med-x, I felt like this would have been so much worse. Especially since I felt it through the drug that specialized in numbing any feeling.
"We can't just pull them out!" Tuner shouted. "They're too hot to handle!"
"Yeah, no shit!" I barked, glaring at him as my hoof flared with electricity. "So what do we do now!?"
He glanced down at my metal hoof for a split second. "One hit, and we could end it all right now. The majority of the Nekkra are here now. Kill them, and save lives on a count you can't even imagine."
"That'll destroy the planet!" I shouted. "That'll kill everyone on Equus, including yourself!"
"Eh." He shrugged. "I was tired of existing anyways."
"We're not destroying them! Now which one has my soul?"
He smiled softly. "Middle one on the bottom row. Should stop the whole operation, if you manage to get it out..."
I ignored his remark and approached the panel of batteries again, working my claws as I clenched my teeth. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and before my mind could tell me no, I gripped the battery once more.
My fur singed, and my claws boiled as I screamed, tugging on the capsule repeatedly, fighting myself to not let go.
The pain traveled to my bones, venturing through my body as the electricity in my hoof became enraged.
I smelled burning flesh, but I dared not let go.
Finally, as I relentlessly tugged on the battery, it budged just a little.
Yes, c'mon!
I pulled again, this time with more force in desperation to get this over with, but nothing happened that time. Damn it!
Suddenly, I felt Fire put a hoof over mine, acknowledging that she was there. Soon after, she took a deep breath. I opened my eyes as she used both hooves of the power armor to hold on to either side of the battery.
"3, 2, 1, now!" She screamed as she tugged as hard as she could.
I pulled with her, still screaming as second after second, I was burning away.
The battery budged again, though. That was progress!
Thankfully, the power armor helped supply her with more strength. There was no way I could do this alone!
"Again!" I cried out.
"3, 2, 1, NOW!"
Together, we screamed as we worked tirelessly to rip the battery from the generator.
One more budge should have done it!
"Charger, it's too late!" Dream said in my mind. "Get out of there!"
I looked up as a black hole began to grow in the sky. The moon beyond had been branded with the crooked symbol I kept seeing.
As a red ring began to glow around the void that consumed the sky, thick clouds spread from it, curtaining the land.
"NOW!" I screamed as, with all our might, we pulled without end, desperate to separate it from the machine. Slowly but surely, with our greatest strain, it slid out at a snail's pace.
The sky rippled with red electricity like a pebble dropping into water as the vortex tore itself into the dimension.
I pulled harder, screaming behind all the pain, fear, and frustration as the electricity around my hoof grew unstable, covering the majority of my leg.
Finally, it popped out, causing both Fire and I to fall back from the sudden release.
We looked at each other as the battery rolled in between us, flickering blue again.
The pillar of shadow ceased...
I was launched off the ground, ascending at an alarming speed. As I was lifted up, I heard Fire call my name, though it was very faint.
Tanks, power armor, crates, vertibuck parts, and various other parts of the bunker ascended with me, all of which spiraled out of control.
My back struck a crate, to which my hoof sent its electric discharge upon striking it. As my body rolled off, leaving me in more pain than I was already in, I rammed into Fire, who was now airborne.
I quickly reached out, grabbing her hoof as she held it out to me. We clung tight, but the force of the vortex tore us apart.
"Damn it!" I shouted as I spun wildly, just before bouncing off a tank. "Gah, fuck!" I winced from the rapid bruising.
The battery struck me in the gut before rolling off to the side. Stunned from the pain, I didn't think to grab it until it was too late, and as it flew off, I reached out for it, realizing my mistake.
"Damn i-" Suddenly, Chair struck my extended arm, cutting deep as it passed. "DAMN IT!"
I caught sight of Fire in the distance as the battery darted towards her. Before she could grab it, the momentum had her body spin around, causing it to strike her armored flank and bounce off.
As I was spun around, I slammed into the side of the Raptor, rolling along it's side, towards the rear.
I felt severely bruised up. Blood was pouring out of me from everything I was being put through.
I cried out as I swung my claws around, just before I began to roll onto my stomach. As I did so, my claws pierced through the steel exterior.
I was quickly torn away, before getting thrown against the side again.
Again and again, my body slammed into the vehicle, and every time I did, I made a new attempt to hang on, leaving a trail of claw marks in my ventures.
Sparks flew as my claws dragged along the steel.
As I started to reach the end, I was ripped away from the Raptor, desperately reaching out for it before my body spun uncontrollably again.
In the gut clenching haze of my dizziness, I managed to take note that I wasn't in the bay anymore, nor was the Raptor or my sister. We were ascending the floors now.
Fire darted part me just as she slipped on her helmet.
I saw the battery coming by for another pass, just ahead. I reached out for it, ready to grab hold this time.
It struck my hoof, but my claws wrapped around the cylinder object. I held it tight, bringing it to my chest to assure it wouldn't escape me again.
Not even a second passed before the frame of a vertibuck rammed into me from the right.
The paralyzing agony sent the battery flying out from my grasp.
"No!" I reached out for it in a panic, but it was too far out of reach now.
I ascended beyond the planet's surface. Vertibucks flew away from the scene with haste.
The Raptor below me just started to rise from the large hole in the ground, and as it did, started to take leave from the scene.
Fire and I were on our own here...
Her body soon struck me from behind, sending a whole new wave of pain and triggered trauma through me.
I felt her hooves wrap around my barrel as we spun in the air, getting closer to the vortex.
In her grasp, I turned around to face her as tears shed from my eyes, darting up with everything else.
I saw my reflection in her visor. The blood drenched face staring back at me as I cried, holding her close.
"Fire!" I rested my head on her shoulder, as she did the same to me.
"Hang on!" She cried out. There was pain in her voice...
"I love you!" I shouted as a flood of tears came pouring out. "I love you, Fire! I love you so much!"
"I love you, Charger! Don't let go!"
We looked back at each other. I heard it in her voice. She was crying too.
The two of us looked up at the darkness. There was no knowing what awaited us on the other side, with the exception of one...
Amid the various vehicle parts and crates, I watched as the battery was sucked up into the vortex like litter to a vacuum.
We ascended rapidly. I couldn't see the sky around the black pit anymore.
With precious seconds counting down before we were consumed, I looked back at Fire as she looked back at me.
I rested my chin on her shoulder once more and closed my eyes, waiting for it all to end...
She gently nuzzled my neck before resting her chin on mine...
I wished I could feel her body against mine, right then and there...
I wish I could feel her warmth...
Life was a sadistic, fickle bitch...
> Channel 003.0; Someday
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I don't remember... this place at all... just that I'm dreaming... somewhere else..."

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


All around me was an empty black as I plummeted into the endless pit, spiraling out of control. A cold wind blew against me from below as a deep, ominous, bone chilling groan like that of deformed metal echoed across the infinite. I felt something physically rush past me continuously as the sounds persisted.
My panicked breath and pounding heart reached my ears through it all.
I couldn't see Fire... I couldn't see anything!
But I felt a presence around me...
There was a deep breath, and in it, I heard the whispers that had invaded my mind before. Despite the emptiness I found myself in, I felt... trapped...
"Fire!" I shouted as I descended further into darkness. "Fire, where are you!?"
Whispers spoke all around me... Incoherent whispers I had been forced to hear ever since returning to Virtue for the pit stop.
"FIRE!" I screamed with all my might. My hoof flared with electricity, and from the glow of it, I caught a glimpse of something slithering in front of me, before I hastily moved past it.
I turned my pipbuck light on, but all around me was emptiness to bear.
If not for a moment...
As the whispers spoke to me in alien tongues, something spiraled around my leg, sliding up to my crotch and wrapping firmly around my waist, before I was quickly yanked forward.
The wind howled as it blew past me. As I tried to electrocute the tendril that got a hold of me, it tightened its grip, rather than recoil from the assault. The violent gusts of wind slowed to a steady breeze, and then went stagnant.
A new tendril soon joined me, wrapping around the base of my leg that had the metal hoof. I could feel it digging into me.
I cried out in agony as the tendril cut through my leg from every side, going to the bone. The electricity in my hoof flared with the torture, but it made no difference against whatever was tearing me apart.
With a crack, the bone was separated, causing me to writhe and scream. Tears filled my vision as I hung my head down. My leg dropped down into the abyss. My hoof was still bursting with electric red, but eventually, it became a tiny red dot in the distance, before disappearing from my sight completely.
It came to me as a surprise that my heart wasn't racing from any of this anymore.
The tendril around me proceeded up the rest of my body, wrapping around the back of my neck. Its tip caressed my cheek as a red glow emanated from something ahead.
I lifted my head to a giant far off in the distance.
I was certain there was much more to it than what I was seeing, but my eyes could only make out the colossal Nekkra symbol that I had last seen get burnt into Equus' moon.
"What the fuck is that...?" I panted.
"I am the answer to your revenge against those who have wronged you, Surge." A deep voice bellowed across the empty. With each word, the symbol grew brighter, then dimmed back to its initial state when he went quiet. "I am the conquest you seek."
"Charger!" Fire screamed in the distance.
I swung my head to the right as she moved closer into view, being turned every which way by a variety of tentacles that bound her hooves. She was still encased within the power armor.
I turned back to the glowing symbol.
"What do you want from us!?"
"I only want to help you, delicate flower."
"Why?"
"Because like me, you have been wronged by many. One of us deserves justice for the trials we have endured. I want to build you up and make you stronger than ever before."
I glanced at Fire. "And what about her?"
"Her and I have business to tend to elsewhere."
She turned to me, saying nothing. I was certain my hoof was bursting with electricity again, somewhere.
"You're not taking her away from me!" I shouted. "I need-"
I was quickly cut off from the tentacle as it tightened its grip around me, crushing my insides. I cried out, unable to move.
"Silence, child." He replied. "You need not one of the vital roots to your pain."
"She's my sister!" I screamed through the torment. "I need her!"
"So you wish for more pain..." He stated matter of factly. "Very well... More pain, then."
"Stop hurting him!" Fire shouted, looking back up at the symbol.
With that, the tendrils released me, dropping me further into emptiness. The moment I was released, the pain went away.
"Charger, no!" I caught Fire trying to reach out at me, despite being way too far out of reach.
I spiraled out of control as I flailed. I couldn't see the symbol anymore, or hear either of them. But in my quick descension, I caught glimpses of the obnoxiously buzzing lights that were once in the bunker, below me. At least... I believed they were below me.
As they grew bigger in my field of vision, I spotted two ponies standing before each other, one of which was a ranger.
Within the blink of an eye, I was back in the bunker, looking through the visor of the power armor, at a mare.
My mom...
To my surprise, she was smiling. She seemed comfortable around my host.
"You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" She had amusement in her vocals and body language.
My host shook his head slowly. "I have no idea..." He chuckled nervously. "Kinda embarrassing as a ranger..."
She giggled and stepped in a little closer, gazing up into his visor. "Well, don't worry. It'll be our little secret." She winked shortly after. "Can I go in and get the engine parts?"
"U-uh..." He shook his head. "Sorry, but no... It's against the rules. If Bristle finds out..."
"He won't find out if we're quick about it." She smiled tenderly.
My host looked around the setting in dead silence for a moment, before sighing. "Ten minutes. I'll go in with you."
He turned to the door and hit a button on the wall beside it, to which it popped open a crack as the intercom buzzed aggressively.
"Thank you, mister... uh... what's your name?"
He stepped aside as he turned to face her again. "Voltage Striker."
She smiled up at him appreciatively. "Thank you, Voltage. My name is Solar Shadow."
... Solar Shadow...
My mom finally had a name...
The scene changed abruptly to my host walking through the unicorn residency in the bunker. He wore no power armor, leaving him exposed to a race that hated him and his kind.
The cold, silent glares of murderous intent as he walked further down the bay of shanty houses confirmed it further.
He stopped before a mare who sat against the outer wall of her unit, taking a drag off her cigarette.
A unicorn, of course. She had a gold coat and a short, orange mane and tail and light blue eyes. I didn't see a cutiemark on her.
I've seen her before... Many times, in the bunker. I caught her watching me from time to time... What significance did she have in all this?
Her eyes traveled up his chest carelessly, before meeting his own, to which the dead look on her face morphed into bitter resentment.
"The fuck do you want, Voltage?"
"I just want to help..." He replied softly.
"I'd say you've done enough."
He sighed and shook his head. "I'm so sorry... I didn't want to..."
"Leave." She stood up, pressing her muzzle to his, glaring deep into his eyes. "Fucking. Leave. NOW."
"Hey, wait-"
"Shut the fuck up!" She blurted, shoving him back. "LEAVE!"
"Sunrise..." Solar spoke softly from behind her as she stepped into view from the doorway. "It's fine... I need to talk to him anyways..."
Sunrise looked back at her, still glaring. "But can you handle it?"
Solar nodded slowly as she took a deep breath. "Yes, love... I'll be okay..." She moved in and kissed Sunrise on the cheek. "Leave this to me, okay?"
She nodded slowly, before going inside.
Solar looked up at Voltage, biting her lip nervously. "W-we need to talk someplace more private... Come in..."
With that, she turned around and stepped inside. Voltage followed her, keeping his distance.
I knew this method of consideration. I never raped anyone, but with my previous reputation in the bunker, I kept my distance when walking behind unicorns, as to not trigger fear. He seemed to be doing this to not trigger any PTSD she could have had from the horrid events that took place in the storage bay.
She stopped after passing the front door and rested a hoof on it as Voltage quietly stepped in. She pushed the door shut and proceeded into the living room, where Sunrise sat on a crate.
She lifted her eyes from her book, before noticing Voltage was still there, to which she scowled.
"You invited him in!?" She blurted.
"Sunrise, please... W-we can trust him..."
"Seriously?" She turned her glare to Solar. "He fucking raped you, and you still trust him?"
Solar winced at the r word, but nodded soon after. "He was the only one that went easy on me when he... did that..." She hung her head down for a moment, shuddering under her breath. "He's the only one here begging to help me..." Finally, she turned back to Voltage, smiling softly, though there was a deep, irreparable pain in her. I could see it as clear as day in her eyes. "At this point, I trust him with my life..." She ran a hoof over her stomach. "And the life growing inside me..."
"W-wait, you're pregnant?" Voltage whispered, to which she nodded.
"I don't know whose it is yet. But I don't want to give it up. I want this... I want a child... I don't like how I got it, but... I need this. We... need this..." She glanced at Sunrise, who smiled faintly at her in turn. I could tell she was hurting past that smile too, however.
"This is big..." Voltage whispered. "If anyone finds out about this, we're all dead..."
"Which is why you're going to make sure Bristle never sees her again, assuming you really want to help." Sunrise stated, looking at him. She was still giving him some stinkeye, but she didn't look like she was about to murder him now, at least.
"That's... gonna be a challenge..."
"Yeah... but it's the only answer I have..." Solar sighed. "Will you help us?"
Voltage stood in silence for a moment, looking deep into her eyes, before slowly nodding. "I will do everything in my power to help both of you."
Sunrise raised a brow; not out of skepticism, but surprise.
"Thank you, Voltage..." Solar took a deep breath. "I need you to find something for this plan to work..."
"Name it."
The scene quickly changed to Voltage walking through the same shanty town in the bunker in dead silence while everybody slept. The place was dimly lit by overhead lights.
Voltage carried something heavy on his back, slowing his movement just a little.
As he approached the door to Solar and Sunshine's house, he looked around his surroundings. After confirming he was alone, he gently knocked on the front door, before dragging his hoof against it in a downward motion twice.
Shortly after, the door opened, revealing Sunrise. She poked her head out, looking out into the walkway. She looked back up at Voltage and waved him in, before stepping away from the door.
Voltage stepped in and closed the door behind him. From there, he made his way into the living room.
Solar and Sunrise were both standing there, regarding him silently as he carefully lowered the heavy weight load off his back and onto the floor in the center of the room, which was soon revealed to me as the corpse of a unicorn mare.
"I hate that it's come to this..." Solar whispered, looking down at the deceased mare.
"It was your idea." Voltage stated, to which she nodded.
"I know... I just feel bad about this. Desecrating someone's body for my benefit..."
"It's just rotting meat at this point. There's no soul in there." Sunrise grit her teeth before turning to Voltage. "Where'd you find her?"
"Few miles out from the bunker entrance, in a diner. I'm not sure what killed her, but it was recent. Hell, she's not even cold yet."
Solar nodded. "I hope she's in a better place..."
Sunrise bit her lip as she stepped forward. "Alright, let's get this shit over with." She looked up at Voltage. "Solar and I will start making the dye. I have the knife for later. You're gonna... have to do something fucked up to make this plan check out..."
Voltage raised a brow as his heart began to pick up its pace. "And that is...?"
Sunrise pointed a hoof down at the mare. "Fuck her. Three rounds."
Volt's brows knit as his heart sank deep. "Hell no."
"Listen, asshole. You raped the love of my life. This is fucking payback."
"Hey..." Solar gave her a cold look. "Enough. Your idea of payback involves the desecration of someone else's body. I won't stand for that. This is only to cover up my death. Nothing more."
"I'm not raping anything." Voltage spat, before hanging his head down and muttering. "Anymore..."
"No, you're gonna put the equivalent of three stallions in that corpse, Voltage." Sunrise snapped. "Otherwise I'll cut off your dick and do it myself."
"Can't I just use a stick or something?"
"Did you bring one with you that matches your girth and length? The attention is in the details, we need to get this right."
"They're not gonna pay much attention to how her pussy looks!" Voltage hissed.
"Hollow will. Fucker is thorough in her investigations. She freaks me out..."
Solar shook her head and sighed. "If you don't have a stick or rod or something, then go grab one from the surface really quick."
"Yeah, let's do that!" Voltage blurted.
"No!" Sunrise grit her teeth. "We're on the clock! We don't have time!"
"I'll make time, damn it!" Voltage started for the door, but before he could even reach the knob, a magical aura enveloped him, and he was yanked back and thrown on top of the corpse, his groin forcefully pressed to her crotch.
"No, you won't!" Sunrise's hoof pushed his head against the mare's, to which we both got a good whiff of her musky scent. "Fuck her like your life depends on it, because it fucking does!"
"Let go of me!"
"Sunrise, stop." Solar spoke gravely. "Leave him alone."
"Not until he does what he needs to." Sunrise barked.
"Okay, okay!" Voltage cried out. "Fine! I'll do it! Just... just let go of me!"
He was quickly released from her grasp, both physical and magical, to which he shakily got into position, before turning to look at Solar. "I'm only doing this for you..."
Solar nodded slowly with a glint in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Voltage... I know it's a lot..."
"I'm sorry too..." He whimpered. "Fuck... I'm so sorry..."
"Don't play nice." Sunrise hissed. "Go rough. Get brutal."
Voltage sighed and closed his eyes, hanging his head down as he began grinding on the corpse, trying to arouse himself, though I imagined it was very hard to do...
In an instant, the scene shifted to him gasping and crying as he ran for the front door. However, he didn't open it, but instead curled up in a corner of the doorframe, retching. Soon enough, bile poured from his mouth, forming a puddle on the floor.
As he panted, his tears mixing with the vomit, he glanced to his left at Sunrise's hooves as she stepped forward.
"I have no sympathy for you." She stated calmly. "What goes around comes around."
Shaking, he closed his eyes and shuddered under his breath. "I-I feel like a monster..."
"Oh, you were a monster the moment you agreed to take turns on my marefriend."
He opened his eyes again as more tears broke free.
"Stop that." Solar blurted as she trotted into view. "He's going through enough as it is."
Sunrise balked as she regarded her.
"Seriously? Why are you treating him like the victim?"
"Because he is one. We both are... In a way, Bristle and Crimson raped him by having him... do that to me..." She shook her head. "What just happened, and what you forced on him, may have just reignited that trauma for him, Sun." She looked down at Voltage. "Come. Let's get you washed up..."
Voltage stood up, still shaking as he sobbed. Together, they proceeded for a doorway that led to what looked like a poorly constructed restroom.
The water was ice cold and for a moment, carried a vile odor. Voltage couldn't contain his tears.
As Solar washed the dye chemicals off her hooves, Voltage washed his entire body down. He spent a vast amount of time washing his groinal region.
During that time, his sobs broke down into a hyperventilating fit.
"Voltage..." Solar whispered, before rushing in and holding him close. He tensed up for a few seconds, but soon sat down on his haunches to hold her in turn.
Cold water rained down on them as they worked to comfort each other.
It was... bittersweet.
I felt for both of them...
"Solar..." He sniffled, before pulling his head back from her shoulder to look at her. "W-why are you being so nice to me...? I hurt you... You should be hating me..."
She cracked a wan smile, before hanging her head down. Her hoof rested on his chest as she took a deep breath. "I should... and believe me, I want to... But I can't."
"Why?" He tilted his head curiously.
"I don't have it in me. Hate, I mean. I'm just built differently... You're a victim as much as I. That, and... you saved my life. And you still are. You're here. With me. That means something..." She lifted her head to look into his eyes. She brushed his soaked mane from his eyes. "We're in this together..."
Voltage averted his eyes as he nodded. "Right..."
"Hey..." She ran her hoof along his arm, to which he looked back at her once more. "I'd like it if you stayed the night here. It's a long walk back to ranger quarters, and I don't think either of us should be alone tonight..."
"I..." He paused as his mouth hung open. "I don't think Sunrise is going to like that."
Solar rolled her eyes. "It's not her place to say whether or not you can stay. You need company..." Her eyes closed as she spoke under her breath. "I need your company..."
Volt's jaw dropped again, to which she raised a brow. "What?"
"Sunrise is your marefriend. Wouldn't you prefer her company over me?"
Solar sighed. "You've seen how she is, Voltage. She's violent. Unpredictable. Apathetic. I love her, but I can't look to her for the comfort I need. I know choosing you is a rather unorthodox choice, but we share something... Our trauma is connected. We can understand each other better than her and I can in this circumstance."
"Solar, I-" He shook his head. "It doesn't feel right. I don't want to jeopardize your relationship with her."
She clung tight to him, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Please, Voltage. Stay with me. At least for tonight... I fear my relationship with her is already ending... I've tried everything I could to make it work, but it's inevitable..."
Voltage sighed, before wrapping his arms around her once more. "A-alright... I'll stay the night."
"Thank you..."
"Let's, uh..." He let go. "Let's start with getting out of this awful shower..."
She giggled softly. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea."
The two of them walked side by side into the bedroom after turning the water off to find Sunrise was laying on the bed, sprawled out across the creaky mattress.
She looked at the two, immediately glaring. "What the fuck are you still-"
"He's staying the night, Sun."
"Goddess damn it, stop sympathizing with that piece of shit!"
"He's not a piece of shit!" Solar barked back. "He's my friend! We need each other!"
Voltage's jaw dropped yet again as he regarded her. "I'm your friend...?"
She looked back at him with a confident smile. "Hell yes, you're my friend." The smile was short lived, however, as she turned back to Sunrise, glaring. "I thought you liked my unique level of trust!"
"Not when it makes you a fucking reta-" She swallowed the rest of her sentence as silence filled the room.
Solar stared in disbelief, looking as shocked as I felt...
"Y-you're supposed to be... there for m-me..." Solar whimpered as tears shed. "I'm going through hell, and the one pony I should be looking to for support calls me a retard..."
"S-Solar... N-no, that's not what I-"
"This is part of why I'm leaning on my own fucking rapist for emotional support, Sun! I can't trust you anymore! You're mean! Voltage has been very sweet to me, and you've been giving both of us a lot of shit for it!"
"Solar, please... Calm down..."
"Don't you fucking tell me to calm down." Tears erupted from her as she sat on her haunches. "You're so horrible!"
"Solar, I'm so sorry..."
"Shut up! Get out! Get the fuck out of my room!"
"Solar, please! I didn't mean it!"
"Go!"
"Sun..." Voltage spoke softly through the mare's tears from the betrayal. "Give her some space. Just for now..."
Sun glared at him for a moment, and her mouth opened as she was about to say something. Yet nothing was spoken, and her mouth closed in a sorrowful frown as she got up and quietly walked past them through the door.
She stopped at the other end of the doorway, looking back at Solar with regret.
"I'm sorry, Solar... I love you..."
Solar clenched her teeth as tears ran down her face, keeping her eyes closed.
She said nothing.
Sun nodded quietly and turned away, leaving the scene.
"Do you still want me here?" Voltage asked softly.
"Yes... Yes, please..."
He nodded and gently closed the bedroom door, before taking her hoof in his and navigating her to the bed.
"Come on... Let's get you comfortable..."
She slowly climbed into bed, still sobbing as she lied down, though her tears were gradually starting to calm themselves.
"I can sleep on the floor." Voltage whispered as he looked around the room. "Do you have any spare blankets I could use?"
She lifted herself up halfway. "Stay up here with me. Please?"
He froze for a moment, making eye contact with her as she did with him.
"S-sure..." He quietly stepped around to the other side of the bed, before hopping up and laying down beside her, under the covers.
For a long time, there was silence. There was no physical contact.
It was starting to catch up to him. The stillness, the quiet. As his eyelids started to lower more like black curtains as time passed, did we both feel Solar's rear hoof rub up against his, pulling him away from the realm of sleep.
He turned his head to her, to which she soon turned over on her opposite side; her back now facing away from him.
She smiled softly, yet tiredly and somewhat pained as her eyes locked with his. Her rear hoof continued to rub against his.
"Hold me?" She whispered, sniffling through the aftermath of her tears.
"Of course..."
He scooted closer to her, their muzzles almost touching as he wrapped his arms around her in a gentle but caring embrace.
Things grew silent again for a moment, before he broke it.
"T-this..." He took a deep breath. "I never expected things to turn out this way."
"How do you mean?"
He cracked a smile. "This. Us. Our bond. Your trust toward me... I didn't think you'd ever let me touch you again."
She giggled under her breath. "Well, lucky for you, I'm not like everyone else."
"I'm starting to see that." He replied in that soft, gentle tone she gave to him. He shook his head and chuckled under his breath. "S-sorry, this whole thing just caught me off guard. I'm not used to this."
She stifled a giggle behind a hoof, before giving him a confident smile. "Well, get used to it."
His lips curled into a faint smile.
"Thank you, Solar..."
"For what?" She asked, raising a brow.
"For letting me help you. For not... hating me. Celestia knows I deserve your wrath..."
"Well..." She pressed her muzzle to his softly. "Thank you for being here for me..."
"You really are one of a kind..." Voltage smirked. "I've never heard of anyone acting as you do."
She shrugged and smiled. "It's just how I'm built."
He nodded, smiling. "I think we should stow you away in the storage bay tonight. Soon. While the corpse is still... fresh..." He winced at the word corpse.
She sighed softly before nodding. "Yeah, you're right... Gonna miss sleeping on a bed, though."
"I'll try and make you as comfortable as I can."
"Thank you, Voltage." She said softly as she started to get up off the bed. "Let me pack some things, and we'll head out."
The scene abruptly changed to the end of an aisle in the storage bay. The area was dimly lit from a fluorescent light about 12 feet away.
Voltage moved a crate aside on the bottom shelf to his left before poking his head in. There was a gap in the center of the shelf, between the wooden crates on his side, and on the other side.
He pulled his head back out and turned to Solar Shadow, who stood beside him quietly. With her were a set of saddle bags.
"This'll have to do." He said. "These crates aren't holding materials that are often requested, so it should be relatively quiet here for the most part. But just in case, I'll see about making another hideout somewhere else. If I find something better, I'll-"
She cut him off with her hoof pressed gently to his lips.
"Thank you, Volt." She said with a gentle smile. She took a blanket and a pillow from her saddle bags, stuffing them in the tight space provided for her.
Voltage frowned as he looked away. "We need to get you out of here... This is no place for you or your child..."
"Our child." She spoke in a near whisper.
"W-what?"
She looked over her shoulder at him. "It'll be your child, too. If you'll accept it. I'm not cutting ties with you."
"I-I..." His heart started to race. "I'd love that..."
She smiled brightly and turned around, only to nuzzle his cheek.
"I would too, Voltage..."
The scene shifted back to the unit that Sunrise resided in. Several unicorns and rangers stood around, watching as Sun held the decoy of Solar Shadow, crying. They made the dead mare look exactly like her.
Voltage's heart was pounding rapidly in his chest. His stomach felt like it was turning upside down as he regarded the dead mare. The last time he dared to look at her, he was fucking the corpse...
In the time that he did look at her, I noticed the cuts that were inflicted on her, making it seem as if she had bled out.
He glanced to the right, and several ponies away, was Hollow. She was staring directly at him. Studying him with her eyes. She knew something... and Voltage knew that she knew as well.
He looked back down at Sun as she cried, holding the corpse close to her.
Crimson and Bristle stepped into view, to which a lot of the unicorns scattered and dispersed, returning to their homes.
Hollow regarded them for a moment, before looking back down at the body.
"Pathetic..." Crimson hissed, looking down at the two of them.
"Hollow." Bristle stood firm, to which she regarded him.
"Yes, sir."
"Dispose of the meat. It reeks of death."
She nodded, glancing at Voltage for a split second again. "Yes, sir."
She began to move forward for the body, but Sun tensed up, holding her tighter.
"Sunrise." Bristle spoke in a stern voice. "You will go to my quarters tonight. Don't keep me waiting."
"Y-yes..."
"Release her." Crimson ordered in a hateful tone. "Or I'll be there too."
She shuddered, before gently putting her down. "Goodbye, Solar Shadow... I love you..." She nuzzled her nose gently as Hollow stood over her.
She soon backed away and stood at her door as Hollow lifted the mare over her back.
As she passed by, her eyes met Voltage's.
His heart increased its pace. He was terrified of her...
She knew something was up. But she wasn't saying anything. Her death was official.
Again, the scene changed.
Him and Solar were huddled up close in a ventilation shaft, wrapped up in the blanket. The grate covered the entrance, therefore sheltering their presence from the outside.
Her belly was expanded out with the child they sought to raise together.
She lied on her back, looking up at him with one of the happiest smiles I had ever seen.
She mouthed the words 'I love you' as she gazed up into his eyes.
He lowered his head to hers, before their lips met, and their tongues intertwined.
They were beautiful together. I loved seeing them like this. No fear. No anger, no tears... Just bliss. This was how I wanted to know them as.
Though... I wasn't exactly comfortable making out with my biological mom. Period. It was bad enough I already knew what she felt like inside...
Nope. Dark thoughts be gone!
He pulled back just a little bit, gazing deep into her half-lidded eyes.
"I gotta get back to my shift here in a bit, baby." He gave her another quick kiss and smiled. "Don't wanna have to come up with an excuse as to why I'm late for my flight training."
"Okay, okayyy..." She rolled her eyes and smiled faintly. "Will I see you tonight?"
"Oh, definitely." He winked. "Wouldn't wanna keep my mare feeling cold and lonely."
She giggled behind a hoof. "Mm!"
Before either of us knew what happened, he quickly put his forehoof to the side of her head and pressed his lips firmly to hers, causing her to gasp, but soon after, murred appreciatively. She leaned into the affection.
After a moment, he slowly pulled away, smiling happily. "I love you, Solar Shadow."
She giggled again, nuzzling his muzzle gently. "I love you right back, Voltage Striker."
He shuffled down a bit, before kissing her belly. "And I love you, Charger Surge!"
She burst into laughter as her hoof stroked the back of his head. "C-Charger, huh?"
"Yeah, why not?" He looked up at her with a bright happiness flowing through him. One that even I could feel. "I dreamt that name last night for him."
"Him?" She raised a skeptical brow.
Voltage rubbed the back of his head awkwardly as she took hers away. "I don't know why, but I have a strong feeling that we'll have a colt running around shortly."
She laughed softly and booped him on the nose, having him go cross-eyed. "Alright, Mr. Psychic. If our baby is a boy, we'll name him Charger Surge."
"Great!" He grinned. "I have a really good feeling about that name. Feels almost like destiny..."
She nodded. "Perhaps." She then proceeded to give him a puzzled look. "Odd dream, though... I could have sworn I heard that name in a dream at one point, too..."
"Weird..." He muttered, staring off into empty space for a moment. Finally, he shook his head and smiled up at her once more, before shuffling back up the length of her body. "Anyways, I gotta get back to work." He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, before getting up, walking over her body and giving her a close view of something private. She let out a satisfactory giggle.
He looked back at her with a cheeky grin. "I'll tell you about my pilot training when I get back!"
"Okay!" She beamed, blushing slightly. "Be safe!"
He removed the grate to the vent and stepped out before putting it back over her shelter.
As he turned around and started down the aisle in a steady trot, he witnessed none other than Hollow standing at the end opposite of him, watching him casually with that tired, laid back expression I knew so well before she opened up to me.
She nodded her head to the side, before walking in the same direction, disappearing from sight.
Voltage, with a lump in his throat, swallowed, before continuing his trot prior to seeing her.
Upon reaching the end, she stood a few feet away.
"Walk with me." She stated softly, before turning around and walking toward the exit of the bay.
He trotted up to her side, remaining quiet the whole time.
"What exactly is your plan?" Hollow asked, keeping her head forward.
"What do y-you mean...?" Voltage asked anxiously.
She sighed and shook her head. "Don't play stupid with me, Volt. You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"N-no, I don't-"
"That dream you had last night." She turned to him in a deadpan. "It wasn't happenstance."
His blood ran cold shivers through his body as his heart sank deep in his chest. "You... H-how do you know about...?"
Before he could finish his question, she pushed him back against a shelf. He winced as his back struck the metal.
"Shut up and listen." She snapped. "I'm only gonna say this once."
"H-Hollow, what-"
"No." She put a hoof to his lips, staring deep into his eyes as she pinned him there. "You need to get Solar out of here. She needs to deliver that baby. The universe needs Charger."
"W-what-"
She pressed her hoof further against his lips. "Shut. Up. Listen. You are in danger. Solar is in danger. Charger is in danger. We are all in danger. He needs to live. You need to leave the bunker. Both of you."
He muffled behind her hoof, before jolting his head away, glaring at her. "That's what I've been trying to do! Why do you think I've been doing the flight simulations?"
"It's not good enough." She replied hastily. "You're trying to tackle this alone, and I'm telling you, you will fail."
"And what are you proposing?" He hissed.
She nodded slowly as she backed off him. "Good. You're listening." With that, her chest opened up to reveal a steel compartment.
Voltage stared in wonder as her cybernetics were exposed to him.
A metal disc slid out from her, to which she grabbed it and held it out to him.
"If Solar goes into labor here, then press this. I'll come and help deliver order to this world."
Voltage hesitantly reached out and grabbed a hold of the device, examining it from every angle. "I've never seen this kind of tech before..."
"Welcome to a whole new level of mind fuck." She stated.
He looked back up at her, entirely clueless. "Just about explains this conversation we're having..."
She cracked a smile at his remark.
"So what about our escape?"
She gave a single nod. "I'll fly you and her out of here when our window is available. But with Bristle's war with Fester, there's too many eyes on the hangars. So..." She sighed and hung her head down. "There is a very good chance that Charger will be delivered here..."
Voltage stared silently as his jaw hung open.
"What?" She asked strictly, glaring at him.
"Who are you...? What are you getting out of all this?"
She shook her head as her expression softened. "I can't explain. You aren't ready."
He glanced away and took a deep inhale as his brow bounced. "Okayyyy... Then answer me this..." He turned back to her, his heart now pounding in his chest.
"If... something happens to Solar and I... Do you promise to take care of Charger?" His eyes welled up at the thought.
She nodded once. "Absolutely..."
"Thank you..." He muttered as he looked back down at the device she gave him.
"Let's get to the simulation suite. You still need to learn how to fly, in case things go south."
The scene changed to one I had seen before. I was crying behind Voltage as he stared at Bristle, Crimson, Hollow, Thorne, and Sunrise, who hung her head down, refusing to look at anything but the floor.
Bristle must have caught his eyes wandering, because he soon chuckled. "That's right. Sun's been pent up with jealousy over you and her ex. Who knew that all it took was a night under the covers with me and some alcohol to have her vent about her troubles."
"Sunrise..." Voltage muttered. She closed her eyes tight. "How could you...?"
"You took everything from me..." She whispered.
"We didn't give up on you! We were going to bring you with us when we escaped, you fucker!"
She winced, before looking up to meet his eyes. "Y-you... were...?"
Bristle stepped between them, gritting his teeth. "That's right. He was. Now no one's going anywhere. Your dreams are as dead as the rest of the world."
"B-Bristle..." Sunrise whimpered. "Please... let them go... I'll do anything you ask, just pl-"
He rolled his eyes before spinning around and shouting. "SHUT YOUR HOLE! SECURITY!"
The door behind them opened, and two rangers stepped in.
"Escort Sunny to my quarters. I'll show her how to use that mouth of hers once I'm done with them." He waved a hoof toward Voltage, Solar, and I.
Sun's ears folded back, before she averted her eyes and turned around, leaving the bay. The two rangers followed close behind.
Bristle took a deep breath, before turning back around to face Voltage.
"Now that I'm done with that distraction... Move aside, Voltage, and maybe I'll consider taking your ear, rather than your life."
"I can't let you touch them, sir." His eyes stayed glued to Bristle's. "I'm sorry, but I'm taking it upon myself to take care of her and her child. If you wanna banish us, then fine. But I ask that you leave us alone."
Bristle grit his teeth as he hissed, spittle landing on Voltage's face. "You have no room to negotiate with me. Move. Aside. Or I'll have you shot. I'm not telling you again."
Volt's heart sank deep in his chest. His hooves trembled under his weight, and a chill ran up his spine as his bottom lip quaked.
His eyes burnt with hot tears before beginning their escape.
He closed his lips tight as he stood tall and uniform, taking in a deep, shaking inhale of oxygen, knowing full well it may be his last. In the corner of his eyes was Crimson's gun pointing at him.
"No."
For a fraction of a second, there was a loud bang, but it was soon interrupted with the silence that death offered.
I had seen Sunrise before, back in my days in the bunker. I had even gone as far as conversing with her.
Whenever she saw me, I detected a tragedy in her. I could tell she was always trying to hold back tears when I was around her. Sometimes she failed...
I never understood why she was like that. So I tried interrogating her with the suspicion that she was hiding something from Bristle. It got me nowhere.
It turned out she was hiding something from me. The truth. Her guilt. My parents.
She had all the answers, and yet she could never bring herself to give them to me. Not once did I consider she'd have all the answers I fought so hard to obtain.
Everything made sense now...
This was the type of pain that thing in the vortex wanted to give me. Not physical torture, but emotional... Arguably the worst kind. The pain of anger.
I was mad at her. Did I want her to pay for getting them killed? No.
She suffered enough.
If she was still alive, she was still suffering. Suffering with the hell that guilt could never stop supplying to the mind, body, and soul.
I felt a rapid descent as my spirit was once again enveloped in the flesh, virus, hair, bone, fur, and hide that was my own. Everything about me was me again.
A tendril of smooth shadow much like my own wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me away and turning me around to face the colossus that bore the Nekkra mark.
I looked around frantically, but found that I was alone.
I spun my head back to the beast. "Where's Firebright!?" I screamed in anger.
Another tentacle slithered underneath my tail, and a gasp escaped my lips as my eyes shot open wide. "H-hey!"
He said nothing as it navigated to my flank, to which it caressed my cutiemark in a circular motion the way one would touch their lover.
I looked down, my mouth hanging open as my brows knit.
"W-what are you..." I bit my lip and closed my eyes to the tingling sensation in my lower body. I wasn't aware my cutiemark could give me such arousal...
"D-doing...?"
Finally, he spoke. "Do you know how you got your cutiemark?"
My eyelids fluttered open halfway, looking ahead at the glowing symbol.
"It's a p-part of my destiny..."
"A symbol to build and repair, whether it be a beginning to something new..." The tendril traced around the wrench ever so slowly. "Or to repair what is broken..."
"I'm not twisting my destiny to your c-cause..."
"You have me misunderstood." The tentacle at my cutiemark pulled away. "I am trying to help you and your planet. I want you to have your revenge against the ones that caused you and many others pain. I want you to build a new model of my children."
I raised a brow as I tilted my head. "The Nekkra...?"
"I do not refer to them or myself as such, but if we are to resort to titles, then so be it."
"The last thing we need is more-"
"The last thing anyone needs is those parasites taking over every inch of every conceivable universe imaginable. I want them eradicated, and I want you to be the new chapter for the Nekkra."
"You... want me to kill your race...?" Okay, this was getting weird...
"I never sought to harm life, for it is sacred. The Nekkra on your home world are stuck with the idea that all life must be a conduit for them. That only one race should exist. They hear not of my pleas. They need to be destroyed."
"But... they opened the vortex. They brought you here, I assume, to take over." My brain was hurting now...
"That is where you're mistaken. They opened the portal not for further conquest of your planet, but to kill me, for I am a threat to their cause."
"This is..." I stared, dumbfounded. "This is not what I was expecting out of you..." A new thought quickly dawned on me. "Wait, what about the lights that get pulled from the ground under the vortex?"
"Souls of the lost." He replied. "I've been collecting them and storing them elsewhere in hopes that one day, I can give them the life they once dreamt of. A chance for something better to those who suffered."
This was getting weirder and weirder by the second... but it raised a vital question.
"Were you having Happy help you with that?"
"... He saw my portal. He knew of me, and of my plan, after the torture and torment he was put through as a child. But his mental instability misunderstood and assumed I wanted him to kill for me as a way to 'save lives.'"
"Torture?" I tilted my head curiously yet again. "What exactly did he go through?"
"It is not my place to tell you of his childhood. That is his trauma. His story. It is up to him whether or not you get to know of it."
"H-he's... dead, though..."
"That is what you think..."
I looked around for a moment, before mentally facehoofing with the remembrance that there was nothing to see here except myself, the symbol, and any of the girthy tentacles that moved between me and his mark.
"You will be reunited with him later on."
I shook my head and sighed at the idea that I would see him again. "So how were you at Equus without actually being there? Happy saw you, which meant a part of you was there, right?"
"Your planet, towards the beginning of life's residence there, was struck with two stars. One carried an evil influence with it, while the other... was less so. The lesser of the two waited for him to show himself again, with the sole purpose to eliminate. No matter the cost... I had heard the stories through whispers in the dark of space. There were many eyes on your planet, watching like it was a game show. You know something about games, do you?"
I twinge of anger ran through me as I frowned at him. He continued.
"I did not pay it any mind at first. But a year later, the one named Aurora Kommer took residence on your planet and made herself a Goddess among the native inhabitants that worshipped the stars. Something you should know about your adopted mother is that if she goes somewhere, she has a wide scale reason for it. I sought to know what her agenda was. So I moved in and watched her for some time, which ultimately led me to you. Once I witnessed your mark came to fruition upon your existence, I knew you had an important role to play in all of this."
I nodded slowly. "Okay... and what about my sister? Why do you need her?"
There was a deep rumble beneath his breath before he spoke. "She has hurt you."
"But she's changed." I stated quickly.
"That may be so, but not entirely. She has one more trial to face, and she must do it alone."
"What?" I glared.
"While your task resides on your home planet, hers resides in a separate reality. She must retrieve someone that will be of great use to you farther into your future."
In the darkness, to the right of the mark, I bore the sight of several steel towers reaching for a smoggy sky in a dry, worn out plain. The sun did no favors for that planet anymore.
Steel giants came and went from the colossal structures as they roared something similar to foghorns. Or perhaps alarms. Many had breached the atmosphere from orbit.
"Who is she supposed to retrieve?" I asked as I continued to study the scenery.
"She is referred to as a number, but she is that of a phoenix."
I sighed and hung my head down, and the glow from the vision ceased.
"I love her..." I whispered, before looking back up at him. "I need her. I can't let you take her from me."
"If there was another way, I would offer it. But it must be her. No other can perform this task."
"Why...?"
"Because she holds the right ingredient for this mission. Her past, her guilt, mixed with your influence over her is the one and only recipe for the plan to follow through."
I shook my head and grit my teeth as I winced through hot tears. I had already lost so much... I didn't want to lose her too...
When was it going to be enough?
"I want to see her..." I muttered.
There was a momentary pause between us.
"You remind me a lot of myself, a long time ago. I wish I could still be the way you are..."
I raised a brow to his response. "What do you mean...? What happened to you to change the way you are?"
A tentacle slithered up from my navel, across my stomach, chest, and throat, before curving along my chin and feeling my cheek in a caring caress.
"Fascinating..." He spoke softer. "You wish to further understand me."
"I want to enjoy what little time I have left with the ones I love." I replied softly. "I don't want to lose her..."
The tendril slid up my body further as the tip traveled along my jaw bone, across the back of my neck, and meeting at my other cheek. There was a surprising comfort in how he held me. I didn't feel in danger.
"I understand your feelings, Surge. If there were another way, I would let you keep her." There was a deep breath, and in the cold breeze that blew against me, I heard the whispers speak to me again.
It brought me back to when I was heading to the bunker. How the whispers wanted me to kill the reformed rangers.
For a moment, I believed he had wanted me to do it. I couldn't understand why. If he really was who he said he was, he wouldn't have wanted me to take good ponies away.
I opened my mouth to speak, but a new realization interrupted my words.
These weren't the same whispers I heard back on Equus. The ones back home were cold, rancid, and cruel. Their garbled tongues violated my very being. I felt disgusted whenever I heard them. Like radroaches were crawling around inside me. Mating and feasting...
But these whispers were calm to the touch. They were welcoming. Friendly, much like the tendrils that held me. There was a warmth to their touch. Oddly enough, I felt... safe in his grasp.
I still wasn't sure why he started hurting me earlier, though... Probably because I tried hurting him...?
It was no matter, though. The moment he released me, the pain vanished as if it was never there to begin with. As if it was all in my head.
"I was once like you, Surge. Alone. Not knowing my worth. Just like you, I am one of a kind. A star that exceeds the fabric of reality. I was the only one of my kind."
"What happened to the others?"
"I am not sure there ever were others like me. I never met another. I had been locked away in this realm. This... void that reaches beyond all other stars. I was unaware if there was anything else out there. But I found myself caged in here, thinking this was all there was. This was my prison. I was left alone, only with thoughts and darkness. Until one fateful occurrence..."
A light began to grow from behind the mark, revealing to me the silhouette of the giant, which came as a giant black sphere of darkness; a countless number of tendrils rooting from it.
A ring of red expanded into the sky, tearing into the realm.
I could still feel the tentacles around me, but I couldn't see them or the symbol in the distance, as they had vanished. He was gone in the flash that brought the rift forth.
"Something reached out to me. I studied it, and found life on the other side." Silhouettes of white faded into existence beside the vortex as he named them out. "Humans. Ponies." New shapes of creatures appeared to me. From reptilians, to insectoids, to things I had a hard time describing. "Xild. Xilx. Treax. Kivavian. Qalan'ti. Trinotch. Arrakhi. Kalarz. Xeikex. And many more. The art of life knew no bounds, except for with me. Life decided it was not fit for my plain of existence. Unfortunately, with such a vast variety in life, came war. Destruction. Corruption. Misunderstanding."
Golden balefire bombs erupted in a plain's horizon. Steel vessels much like the ones around the towers engaged in combat the likes of which I thought I'd only get an idea of in science fiction novels. Their setting being deep space.
"However, with this new knowledge in my grasp, I began to experiment. I started to form my own worlds, using the rest of the infinite as a reference guide for my craft. But... I was unable to achieve everything I sought..."
All around me were dead trees with black that bled through their bark. The earth looked rough and cracked, and the sky was a pitch black, save for the giant vortex that hung in the sky almost like an eclipse.
"I didn't have the vital ingredient to create life. Everything I attempted to breathe life into turned out to be no more than an empty husk. A shell. What I needed were souls. That was where my new barrier sat."
"Why didn't you go through the vortex?"
"I have tried to. But something kept me here. I could see through the portal to everything, like a window. But I was unable to pass through. I had to figure out how to open it, rather than breaking the glass and crawling through like a trespasser, for I feared that the consequences would be cataclysmic. I theorized that forcing my way out would destroy entire galaxies. Obliterate the fabric of everything that was and will be. I was not willing to take the chance, even if it meant freedom. It was a necessary sacrifice on my part, for what good would freedom be, if there was no one to enjoy it with? If all I brought with me was the end...?"
I nodded quietly, looking up at the vortex.
"So you stayed in the dark... alone..."
"... And I watched as those took their lives for granted." He finished. "Destroyed each other for territory and resources, failing to see the big picture I did. It broke my heart..."
I raised a brow, looking around. I couldn't see him, so I didn't know why I bothered.
"You have a heart...?"
"I do." He spoke in a soft and tender voice.
At once, a bright white light dotted the sky. Brighter than the vortex. Stronger than the pillar of light that brought it into my world. It hummed with a soothing radiance that came to me like a song as it pulsed rhythmically.
It's warm glow overwhelmed my body. I closed my eyes, basking in it. It was the purest thing I had ever felt from another living creature...
There was so much innocence and love within him...
But deep down, I also felt a tragedy in it... something I was familiar with...
I opened my eyes again, tears forming from what I felt as I stared up into its center, as it didn't blind me.
"What happened to you...? Who...?" I grit my teeth as tears broke out from containment. "W-Who hurt you...?"
There was a long silence that hung between us. I could tell from the energy he gave off that he was trying to hold back whatever resembled his tears.
"It... came to my attention that things could pass through the vortex into my dimension, when someone entered."
The vortex grew in size, magnifying my view of the emptiness in the center. At that moment, a pony emerged from the dark wall torn into reality. An alicorn...
A dim white glow enveloped her body, and her light blue mane shimmered with the light. She had no cutiemark. At least, not from what I saw.
She was motionless as she drifted further into darkness.
To the far right, I saw the Nekkra mark turn to face the new arrival.
Tendrils began to move closer to her, but as they made contact with her hooves, they recoiled.
A white glow burnt at the parts of the various appendages that touched her, before eventually sinking away into their mass.
After a moment, they moved in again, wrapping around all four of her hooves and carefully escorting her to the dead planet he had made.
The planet's surface rolled into view from the side like a thick smoke as the alicorn was gently set down upon the dry land.
Once she was laid down, the tentacles quickly retreated from her form, writhing in what looked like pain from the burns her body inflicted on him.
Mere seconds after she made contact with the surface, did the land around her begin to grow a green, healthy patch of grass and various different colors of flora the likes of which I've never seen.
"I had known not of where she came. I was able to see entire universes. Yet, for some reason, her origins remained a mystery to me. But she carried life in her touch. Holding her caused me great pain that I had never experienced before, but I knew the moment life began to grow around her that she was everything I needed."
Her eyes cracked open, revealing two bright blue glowing rings around her black pupils. What should have been the whites of her eyes were black.
"It took some time before she awoke."
"How long?" I asked, studying the mare as she slowly lifted herself up, taking in her surroundings. She was very calm and collected. Where there was no fear, there was peaked curiosity.
"A mortal would have died from age three times over, before she pulled herself from her slumber."
She stood up as she looked down at the life that grew around her hooves.
"I expected her to be fearful. Something I have gathered from other dimensions was that things that were not understood were to be deemed a threat. But she was different..."
The Nekkra mark appeared in the sky as tendrils slid into view. She simply stared up at him, curiously tilting her head.
"She too, did not know of where she came. She did not know her name, much like I did not know if one was ever given to me. Neither of us knew if there were more of our kind. The chance of two of the loneliest beings coming across each other in an infinite plain with next to identical situations was beyond slim. This was no accident. Something wanted us to be together. Something bigger than either of us combined..."
The scene shifted to entire mountains being raised up from the cracked earth in the horizon.
The alicorn calmly approached the new terrain as it formed in front of her; each step leaving behind a trail of life in its prime. It expanded outward like ripples in a puddle.
After several steps, she came to a stop and hung her head down, closing her eyes as her horn pointed at the mountains.
Light beamed off her in a radiance, shining brighter than ever before. Everything her glow reached began to thrive with the beauty of life. From the empty dry plain she stood in becoming a mass of healthy grass and flowers, to the surface of the mountains in the distance being coated with entire forests.
A butterfly fluttered around her, carrying the same blue glow her eyes did.
She lifted a hoof, reached out to it, and as she did, it landed safely, looking back at her.
"Here, there was no worry. No war, no violence. Only happiness. For a time... For me, there was one downside."
One of his tendrils moved down from the sky. The nameless mare reached out to him with the hoof that the butterfly rested on, to which it turned to examine the tentacle.
Within a second of doing so, it took to the air only for a moment, only to land on the tip of the shadowy length.
And in an instant, the light it carried went dark as its body shriveled up and decayed...
As it fell to the vegetation below, the plant life within proximity of its collapse began to wither and die.
"She created life... I created death... It hurt... To care so much for the value that life holds, but only to take it away..." He paused for a moment, presumably to gather himself. "But it wasn't a complete loss. I made planets, and she breathed life into them. We were opposites, but the variables worked for us. We were happy. We weren't alone anymore. We were family to each other. I had a purpose..."
In the distance, past him, I saw several hundred of the steel vessels I saw earlier emerge from the vortex, offering a large variety of different models and sizes.
"The mistake of mortals was interpreting darkness for evil. The fabric of my very being was misunderstood... and with misunderstanding..."
The ships emitted a bright blue glow in unison as they kept their distance.
"... Comes fear..."
Several hundred beams of light struck the back of the colossal shadow, digging into him like a drill.
The Nekkra mark that I very well imagined was his eye shook as the red glow it carried grew brighter and more agitated - rough around the edges, like lightning trying to be contained.
The mare quickly spread her wings, ready to take to the sky and confront them to cease their assault, but his tendrils obstructed her path, as if to shield her.
"I did not want her to show herself to them, for I feared for her life more than my own. I was willing to die if it meant she was safe."
She stared up into the mark with pleading eyes as her shimmering tears floated around her.
The shadow around his mark began to change to a dark blue as it grew more agitated and aggressive. Second after second, it grew brighter, until eventually, the lasers from the fleet behind him bolted out from back to front, striking the mare and the planet.
She fell back down to the surface as the hole that was torn through him began to enlarge.
When the lasers ceased, what remained of his body writhed and twitched.
The mark began to rebuild itself, materializing where it once resided, despite there being nothing to support it.
He looked down at the planet, at the crater that destroyed a great percentage of their project.
But that was not what where his main concern sat. His body went still, though he began to regenerate the rest of himself.
It took me a moment, but I saw it too...
Through the fire and smoke, her body lied at the bottom of the crater, the light around her dimming to nothing.
His tentacles wrapped around her limp form in a tender embrace, lifting her off the ground and moving her head around, as if to try and wake her.
The life she had made in their world began to wither...
His appendages burnt drastically to her touch. I knew it was killing him with how quickly they began to deteriorate, and how he swapped them out consistently to keep a hold of her. He seemed to be doing it more for keeping a stable grasp on her more so than how much it hurt him.
Just as his form finished regenerating, a second wave of light drilled into him from behind, agitating the mark once more.
The red began to grow brighter again, as if he was glaring now.
The tendrils that held her burnt away, releasing her for good. I couldn't hear it, but I knew that as he stabbed every one of his appendages deep into the dying planet, injecting it with darkness, he was screaming.
He turned towards the fleet, swinging the earthy mass around as crimson electricity fed into it from him, much like my metal hoof.
The lasers ceased again, with the assumption to cool down the guns.
In that time, he flung the remains of the planet towards the invaders.
I watched as many of them tried to evade to the sides, but it was coming in too fast, and they didn't have enough time.
The planet rammed into them, destroying them immediately while the rest made an attempt to retreat for the vortex.
The spinning mass of rock left a trail of shadow in its wake as it pulverized a vast majority of the fleet.
Very few had managed to escape as a rapid bolt of red energy shot out from the mark, snaking through the empty space like glass cracking across a window pane.
The planet vanished into the vortex moments after the survivors had managed to flee, and the electricity fed into the portal seconds after.
The vortex grew in brightness to levels my eyes couldn't stand. I turned away as he spoke.
"The virus you know as Nekkra was manifested from my rage. My desire for justice. Revenge. And it was a mistake... I only wanted to kill the one who led the attack. The Star Child."
As the light from the electricity vanished, I turned back to see the black chunk of rock crash into another planet that once flourished with life. The darkness began to spread to whatever remained of it.
"I made a mistake..." He stated in a somber tone. "And I need it to be corrected. The Nekkra are stuck with the rage I held. They were conceived from my blood lust. It is not their fault. It is mine. And his..." He paused. "They need to die. I need your help... I cannot do this alone..."
The scene of planetary destruction faded, only for the mark and his tendrils to take its place. They wrapped around my three limbs, keeping them stretched out as I looked at him.
"What makes me so special?" I asked softly. "Why am I the one to exterminate them?"
"As if your mark wasn't already enough, you're the only one that still has his soul and mind intact, despite being among them. You're a new strain of the Nekkra. That makes you a new chapter. A chance for better things to come."
"Firebright? Fluky?" I raised a skeptical brow. "They're infected and still themselves."
"And who made them that way?"
I sighed, hanging my head down.
"Please..." He whispered. "I would not ask you of this if I didn't believe you could fulfill this task. Every conceivable universe rests in your hooves..."
I cracked a smile, and a small chuckle escaped my lips. "Well... when you put it that way, how can I say no?" I lifted my head up to him, nodding. "Alright. I'll help you. What do I need to do?"
"Start with your planet. Do what you feel is right. I trust in your judgement to make the right calls."
"And what about this Star Child?" I tilted my head curiously.
"He is of no concern to you. I will deal with him. Alone."
Silently, I nodded. I understood what he was getting at. His hunger for a just revenge was the same one I had for Bristle and Titan. No one had the right to kill them but me. They were mine, just as the Star Child was his.
"I have something for you..." He stated softly as a tentacle moved into view, holding a familiar plastic container with my powdered horn within. "It was taken from you so young, so unless you would like to have the horn of a foal as an adult, I will have to infuse it with the virus. It will hurt... But it will also give you full control of your affliction."
My smile widened a little as my coping mechanism started to kick in.
"What's life without a little pain? Just don't be too rough. My body can only take so much girth."
There was another deep breath before he replied. "I am not surprised you would say such things."
"Couldn't help myself." I winked with a grin plastered on my face.
"Are you ready?" One of the tendrils started to unscrew the cap off the bottle.
With a single nod, I responded. "Let's do it."
The cap came off, and the powder floated upward in a spiral motion, outside of containment. It snaked its way above my forehead, outside of my view. I could feel it brushing against my mane.
The powder began to get more firm and compressed as it pressed into my head. A sharp pain soon developed in my skull, causing me to hiss behind clenched teeth as I winced my eyes shut.
I felt the base of a horn begin to form in my head. I gasped as the searing pain grew. I would have jolted away if he wasn't holding me in place.
New senses began to overwhelm me as my nerve endings within my horn were restored.
I screamed as a whole new pain greeted me through the short length of my horn.
By the time it stopped growing, its jagged tip poked out from my mane. I could feel it there. I shook from the pain, hanging my head down and panting.
"Are you ready for the next stage?" He asked in a caring tone. "It will be a lot worse than what you just felt."
"J-just..." I swallowed the saliva that had been building up in my mouth. "Just give me a moment..."
"When you're ready." He replied in a consoling manner.
"T-thank you..." I shuddered under my breath before biting my lip, trying to fight through the pain.
I needed this. I had a chance to get my horn back after it was wrongfully taken away from me and kept a secret. I needed my horn back...
I was lucky enough to have that opportunity.
I opened my eyes again, looking up at the Nekkra mark as I kept my head down, still panting.
"I'm ready..." I said in a breathy whisper.
Instantly, I felt something force its way into my horn. I gasped from the impact, before realizing a torrent of smoke and shadow was absorbing into the jagged stump of my horn; darkness overwhelming it completely.
I felt it begin to lengthen out as more of the Nekkra virus fed into me.
This was more of a discomfort than it was a pain.
I closed my eyes, ready for it to be over, and before too long, I didn't feel anything abnormal entering my horn anymore. Everything went quiet.
I cracked my eyes open, first looking at the mark that stared back at me, and then the pointed tip of black horn that was sticking out of my head.
Then, without warning, a surge of red lightning flashed from the mark. The same rage he threw at his enemies, long ago.
In that flash, yet another level of pain overtook me, channeling through the length of my horn.
Screaming, I tried escaping from bondage that his tentacles held me in, but I was an ant, compared to him. He was far too much stronger than I.
I felt the horn begin to fracture as electricity began to rip it apart, but it seemed that as soon as it was cracking, it was mending itself together again. Partially, anyways.
It was an unimaginable pain, but I also felt a power grow within me through the constant bolt of lightning.
The fracture dug deep from all sides, to the center of the horn's mass as it traversed down to the base, practically frying my nerve endings, but not killing them outright. I still felt every second of this torture...
Finally, it abruptly ceased...
Tears obscured my vision as I looked up, crying out.
My horn was still there, but I also noticed that in the black, hardened mass, there were cracks along it, like a lightning strike stuck in time. It glowed red.
"Utilize the rage of my past, Surge. Do good. Do as your title and mark say. Replenish order. Fix what's broken."
"I will..." I hissed behind hot tears as the pain lingered in my horn.
"Do you understand that your sister is needed elsewhere?"
I nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. "Y-yes..."
"I am sorry..." He paused for a moment as a tendril caressed my cheek. "I will give you what I never had..."
I lifted my head up to him, leaning into the tentacle that displayed affection to me. "What... What's that?"
"The chance to say goodbye..."
I closed my eyes as tears burned through again.
"Before I let you see her however, there is one more matter we must discuss."
A new tentacle moved into view, wrapped firmly around the battery as he resumed.
"The one you call Tuner."
"What about him...?" I asked with raised interest.
The tendril tightened around the battery further, before it flashed a brighter blue. Tuner's voice quickly echoed into the atmosphere, starting with a pained gasp.
"C-Charger!" He cried out. "Charger, whatever he's telling you, it's a lie, you have to believe me!"
"Silence, you manipulative swine." The Nekkra growled. "You have deceived Surge for far too long. For once, tell him the truth."
I raised a brow as Tuner went quiet for a moment. That arose suspicions...
"I-I don't know what you're talking about..."
"You know exactly of what I speak. Tell him." The Nekkra spoke more aggressively.
"There's nothing to tell!" Tuner blurted before yelping as the battery was strangled further.
"Tuner, cut the shit..." I spoke quietly, but my tone made it pretty obvious I was a little more than frustrated with him.
He went quiet again, but only for a moment. "C-Charger, I..." He let out a sigh. "I'm sorry..."
"For?" I regarded the battery with skepticism. I didn't believe him one bit.
"Everything. The games, the manipulation... I'm sorry I tried selling Eight to the Nekkra for a new body..."
"Wait..." I glared at the battery. "You tried selling Eight...?"
"What are you, deaf? Yes, I tried selling Eight back to his owners."
"Back?"
"Holy fuck nuggets, clean the tentacles out of your ears. Yes. Back." He emphasized each word with attitude. "He escaped from captivity, I tried bringing him back in return for a new body."
"... Tuner..."
"Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm a piece of shit. You got me. Hurray for you."
I could tell in his voice that not only was he mad that he got caught, but he seemed disgusted in himself for what he did, too. The way he spoke... It felt like he was reflecting on his choices.
Tuner let out a pained chuckle. "Guess I should have known better than to trust the Nekkra to live up to their word..."
"Tuner is indecent." The giant stated in an annoyed tone. "He is a threat to what I hold dear. But ultimately, I leave it up to you on where his fate lies."
Hm...
"Go on, then..." Tuner spat out his words of anger. "I know you're all thinking it. Destroy me. Fuck knows I deserve it."
I shook my head as a new idea formed. "No, I have a better idea..." I looked back up at the mark. "Can you transfer him into my pipbuck?"
"Yes."
The battery flickered for a moment, before growing dimmer. At the same time, my pipbuck screen lit up, and Tuner's voice came through.
"Seriously?" He blurted. "You turned me into an A.I.?"
"You're gonna behave as one, too. You do what I say now."
"I've given you complete control over Tuner's soul, Surge." The shadowy mass said. "Find it within yourself of the things you're capable of doing with him."
With that, the battery moved close to my chest; one end of the cylinder powerhouse pushing into my coat gradually.
"This must remain hidden from the others. Keep it safe. You will need it later."
My chest opened up in a black pit like it had done back at the apartments, but it didn't hurt this time. I watched as the battery sank deeper inside me, and once it was completely submerged in my body, my chest began to close again.
I looked back up at the mark as he resumed.
"Eight will be waiting for you on the other side. I took him away from the Nekkra."
"Thank you..." I said with a hint of a smile and a single nod of my head.
"Now..." He paused as I was slowly pulled down. "Time to go see your sister."
The descent increased in speed to the point it felt as if I were falling. But when I tried to move my hooves around in a panic, I found I was still being held by the variety of tentacles.
"Charger..." Tuner whispered. "What have you done to me...? I feel so wrong now..."
I rolled my eyes. "Maybe you developed a conscience for once..."
"No, not that... This is more. I feel your disapproval... like I'm... I don't know, like I'm connected to your emotions now or something..."
I pondered for a moment, before looking up at my pipbuck. "Well, I suppose that makes sense. I have control over your soul now. I can see us being connected spiritually."
My hooves touched ground, though I could not see it. Before me was the vortex; this time vertical like a wall. Fire stood between me and it. My gear was laid out around her. I began my approach.
"Charger..." Fire said with a wan smile as she started to step forward, glancing at my horn momentarily. Her smile widened at it.
"Fire..." I replied with the same sentiment she gave to me.
We held each other close as she rested her head on my shoulder as I did in turn. I closed my eyes, taking in the details of her contact. Her warm coat pressed against mine... Her hot breath on my hide. Her soothing, rich, yet raspy voice caressing my ears. Her...
It was just then that I realized I didn't feel her heartbeat. Or mine, for that matter...
It soon dawned on me.
Whatever the Nekkra touched died.
... We were... dead...
After a moment, she pulled away, still holding me. I could see it in her face... She knew it too.
"Well..." I cracked a smile, giving her cheek a gentle caress. "We're just full of surprises, aren't we?"
She giggled in response. "That we are, lil' bro..." She booped the tip of my horn. She paused for a long, quiet moment as the reality of our situation came back to her. Without saying a word, she moved in close and softly pressed her lips to mine, closing her eyes instinctively. Mine were soon to follow.
I pushed deeper into the kiss; my hoof moving to the back of her head again. She let out a soft moan in response, pushing in a little more herself.
Her tongue slipped past my defenses only to meet mine in my territory. There was a playful wrestle between us that we had done many times before in the past, though this was more sincere. This was real...
We eventually broke into a soft chuckle, forcing us to pull away for some breath.
Fire smiled more appreciatively at me, before biting her bottom lip.
"Think we got a little time left, before we depart?" She asked with a wink.
"Let's find out." I replied with a soft grin, feeling a blush form on my cheeks as I stepped closer to her again.
She began to blush too. It was then that I noticed instead of a crimson shade on her features, it was a darker grey. I could very well imagine that was the same case for me, too.
She laid on her back, to which I stepped over her, our lips locking with each other once more as I held her close to me.


(((((((◉)))))))


I lied on my back as Fire pressed her ear to my chest. Though there was no heartbeat to hear or feel, she seemed to take comfort in my warmth.
Not to mention other things...
I kept my forehooves around her; meeting at her spine as I looked up at the empty black.
Her lips pressed into my chest for a moment, before she broke the silence.
"Where are you?" She asked tenderly, to which I looked down at her.
She was looking back up at me behind those beautiful purple eyes, her muzzle buried into the fur of my coat.
"I'm right here." I whispered, running my hoof along her mane. "With you."
She murred softly, placing another kiss on my chest. "I love you, Charger."
My smile widened as I continued to pet her mane. "I love you too, Fire."
She closed her eyes as she inhaled my natural musky scent of sweat that came with our previous ventures along each other's bodies.
"Mm..." She let out a small chuckle.
"What is it?" I asked curiously.
She looked back up at me, keeping her muzzle buried. "I never thought my life would take this turn. I mean... interdimensional travel... Almost sounds unbelievable."
I chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right... Do you know where you're going?"
Slowly, she nodded. "Somewhere very hot and radioactive. Apparently it's a parallel universe to ours, but the events that took place there were from an alien invasion. Not a dispute between nations."
"Mm..." I rested my head back on the invisible surface, looking up at the nothing. "Apparently you're going to find a phoenix or something?"
She laughed. "Well, not a literal phoenix. But she sure is hot like one... I got a good look at her, and just putting this out there... I'd fuck her brains out."
I shook my head, laughing. "Would I?"
"Oh, definitely."
We both laughed, before she scooted up to nuzzle my nose. I slid my tongue along her nose in retaliation, to which she recoiled.
"Ah, Charger! Gross, man!" She blurted as she wiped away the trail of saliva I left on her snoot.
Chuckling, I responded. "Oh, that's gross, but us having incestual desires isn't?"
She shot me a look of disapproval, before her humor betrayed her, breaking it down into a smile. "Okay, fair..."
She rested the side of her head against my chest again, over where my heart would be beating.
"I wish I could hear it just one more time..." She whispered under her breath.
I closed my eyes and breathed in deep through my nostrils.
"I'm gonna miss you, Fire... I wish we had more good experiences together in the past..."
"Hey..." She softly bapped me on the nose. I scrunched my muzzle and opened my eyes in surprise, looking down at her.
"No. This isn't goodbye... We'll see each other again. Someday..." She sighed, looking away as she stood up. I had a feeling she didn't believe that...
I rolled onto my hooves, got up, and looked at her as she regarded me with a sorrow in her soul.
I rested a forehoof under her chin, lifting her head to look at me.
"Someday..." I whispered, smiling softly. "You're right. We will see each other again. There are no goodbye's here. But I'll still miss you."
"Damn straight..." She replied, nuzzling me again. I returned her affection, and as she pulled away, she resumed. "I'm gonna miss the hell out of you too..."
I lightly pressed my muzzle to hers, looking deep in her eyes. "Someday, Fire..."
She nodded, looking back into mine as her breath brushed against my lips.
"Someday, Charger."
I closed my eyes as I wrapped a hoof around the back of her neck, pulling her into an embrace. I almost fell on my side with my other leg being gone, but she caught me.
"The universe is waiting..." She whispered in my ear as we held each other close.
Upon releasing each other, we parted with one last kiss.
We walked - she walked, I limped - to my equipment, and as I slipped into my barding, she helped fit everything in properly. No words were spoken, but I found that we were both taking our time with suiting up.
I looked over at her, and she did the same as she moved to the shoulder plate next to my rifle. She smiled wanly for a moment, before focusing back on checking if everything checked out in terms of my armor and weaponry.
I knew that deep down, she didn't want me to go. Not without her. I didn't want it either.
Life was a sadistic, fickle, bitch.
... Unlife. We were dead... Death? Death was also a bitch. Unlife was a bitch. Everything was a bitch!
We were living in the moment. Trying to siphon every last second we had with each other.
I never thought I'd feel anything but hate towards her. I surprised even myself when I came to the realization that I loved her. It felt weird... loving the mare that helped take Snow Star away from me.
But it was true, nonetheless. I couldn't hide from that fact.
And it hurt...
It felt like the moment that I was getting the best side of her, I was now losing her, too...
She moved my rifle to my barrel via the arm and picked up Chair.
"Wish I had a weaponized chair..." She said softly with a faint smile as she held it out to me.
"There was a time I didn't." I replied as I grabbed it, to which it folded up into its compact state. "Originally, if you can believe it, it was supposed to be a mech bigger than Titan."
She raised a brow as I stuffed it in my saddle bags. "So what happened?"
I sighed and closed my eyes. "Some idiot started complaining about how they needed to sit down..."
"Uh... okay...?" I opened my eyes to find her brows were knit in a state of confusion as she regarded me. "I'm gonna pretend like that made sense."
"It's a long story..." I deadpanned.
Slowly, she nodded. "Well... tell you what." She placed a hoof on my shoulder. "When we see each other again, you can tell me all about it. Deal?"
I put my hoof over hers, before placing a kiss on it and nodding to her once. "Deal."
She nodded back in response. "Save Equus, Charger."
"Make me proud, Fire." I gave her a quick kiss on the lips one last time, and after she returned it, I backed up toward the vortex. Wisps of shadow emanated off the void-like canvas between dimensions.
I turned back to Fire one last time smiling.
"I'll see you on the other side, Firebright."
"Someday." She replied reassuringly.
"Someday."
"I love you."
"I love you right back." I stated as a grin forced itself on my face. But on the inside, tears were trying to breach.
I turned back to the vortex and took one last deep breath, closing my eyes in the dark. I had to believe that someday, we would see each other again. Someday...
Someday...
I knew that if I didn't believe it, I would never leave...
"Someday..." I whispered under my shaking breath.
I stepped through...
...
A brightness burned through the defenses of my eyelids, and upon cracking them open, I found white in every direction.
"Where...?" I spun around, but the vortex was gone. "Hello?" I called out, looking out for even the smallest landmark.
"Charger..." A mare called out to me in an echo.
"Who are you?" I spun frantically, searching for who the voice belonged to.
"Keep moving..."
I hesitated a moment before I started my first step into this unknown place. There was a hum, like something huge was moving overhead. Something I couldn't see.
But there was a peace in all this. There was a feeling of rest here.
The oxygen was the purest my lungs had the privilege to breathe. The light that engulfed me was warm and comforting.
I began to feel blades of grass tickle at my hooves as I proceeded to limp forward.
"Tuner..." I spoke, still looking around at nothing in particular.
"Yes, Charger?"
"Where are we?"
"I honestly have no idea... I've seen a lot of things before, but never anything like this..."
I wasn't sure if I believed him... He betrayed me one too many times.
"I can't lie to you anymore, Charger... it hurts me now..."
... He had a good point... He was tied to my emotions now. Which meant he knew I didn't believe him.
As I moved forward, the brightness began to dim. Birds sang their songs as they flew across the bright blue, sunlit skies; spinning around each other in flight, as if they were dancing.
A field of grass and flowers began to reveal itself around me, stretching on for miles, before reaching a forest near the horizon.
There were a variety of other ponies far off in the distance - two of which I could have sworn were Blaze and Tezu - but only one stood before me; a mare. One I recognized, no less.
"Mansia...?"
Smiling, she nodded, before turning around. "Walk with me. The others are waiting."
With that, she began to walk through the field, but after a few steps, she stopped and turned back to me. "Are you coming?"
"Y-yeah..." I caught up to her in a half trot, but it proved to be a challenge with only three legs. We walked side by side, trekking through the field of various life.
"Mansia, where are we...?"
She glanced over for a brief moment, before looking back ahead.
"This place has a lot of names. Everafter, Summerlands... Heaven. Paradise. It's where good souls go."
"I don't think I belong here then..."
Her smile faltered as her eyes moved down.
"You changed, Charger. It doesn't matter who you were, so long as you knew the mistakes you made and sought to change them for the better. And you did. No one is perfect." A butterfly fluttered before us, to which she raised a hoof to it, giving it a place to rest its tired wings. It landed, looking around from the vantage point she gave it. "You're flawed. I was flawed, too. Snow Star? Flawed. This butterfly... flawed. There is no exception in the big game we call life." The butterfly took off, and soon joined another that had been flying past, making a new friend. "It's what we do with our flaws that matters."
She lowered her hoof and turned her head to me, smiling as our eyes made contact. "You're a good soul. You belong here."
I averted my eyes from her as I sighed. She continued shortly after.
"Petiole likes you, by the way."
I turned back to her, raising a brow.
"What makes you say that?"
She smirked. "I know him. And I mean... c'mon, it's obvious. I saw how you two were to each other in your old bedroom." She looked ahead again, still smiling. "I hope you make him as happy as he made me..."
"What...?"
She looked over once more, this time with a tired, but pleasant smile. Before she could say anything, the voice of a different mare I almost didn't recognize came from my right.
"So... you're the one that used my suicide note as a cum rag, huh?"
I looked over to see Azure. Otherwise known as Bouncy House. Albeit without her security barding.
"Petiole was right about something. You and I would have been great friends." She continued, before winking. "And a little bit more." There was a soft purr in her voice, as if she were excited just from the thought.
Mansia giggled under her breath as I yelped to her tail whipping my flank. Azure bumped hers to mine on my other side almost immediately after, nearly causing me to fall over, had Mansia not used her flank to support me.
"Alright, alright..." Voltage said just as he and my biological mom materialized into existence via her magic. He regarded Mansia and Azure coolly. "That's enough, you two."
Azure pouted as she hung her head down, but Mansia chuckled.
Voltage trotted up to me, smiling softly. "Hey, kiddo..." He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me in. "It's great to see you again... I just wish your mom and I were there to see you grow..."
I wrapped an arm around him, welcoming his embrace.
"Dad...?" I whispered.
He chuckled. "Biological, too... thank the stars..."
"Charger, dear..." Solar Shadow trotted up to us and held us both close. "It's been a long time... We missed you so much..."
"Mom..." I closed my eyes to my parent's warmth.
"You're so much like your father..." She continued, nuzzling my ear. "Strong. Courageous. Kind hearted... Handsome."
Voltage laughed under his breath. "I think he got his kindness from you, baby. He has your eyes, too."
"Oh pish posh." Solar playfully scolded. "He got it from you, too!"
I opened my eyes, smiling just before placing a kiss on Voltage's cheek. I froze in place when I saw Snow Star standing behind them, regarding me with that gentle smile she carried around whenever she was around me.
"Hey, Charger..."
Solar and Voltage glanced back at her for a second, before releasing me and stepping out of the way from between me and her.
She looked at both of my parents and gave them both an appreciative nod, before stepping up to me.
We stood in silence, our eyes fixated on each other.
She slowly reached a hoof up to my cheek. I closed my eyes to her touch.
"You've been through so much..." She said under her breath in a near whisper.
"I'm not the only one, Snow..." I replied in a tender voice, just before opening my eyes again.
She moved in and held me tight, placing a kiss on my cheek.
"I'm so glad you found our daughter..."
"I am too..." I nuzzled her ear affectionately, holding her in turn.
"Thank you for being there for her, even after you found out the truth..."
"I wouldn't give her up for anything..."
"It's time to go back..." Mansia said quietly.
I pulled away from Snow Star, to which she nodded. "It's the truth, unfortunately..."
I sighed and hung my head down.
"I know... But before I go..." I regarded everyone around me. "Do I have a place here? Will I see you all again?"
Voltage nodded. "Of course."
"We'll be waiting for your return." Solar added.
"You're family." Voltage continued, to which my heart began beating in my chest again. "You and Snow Star."
Snow smiled, but a glint in her eyes told me she was on the verge of tears.
A unicorn mare with a lavender coat and a frizzy violet mane with a black thin stripe approached, smiling at me. She stopped a few feet away before speaking, and the other regarded her.
"Will you let Scope know I love him? That I'm proud of him?"
So this was Velvet Vector...
"Of course..."
She closed the tight distance between us, wrapping an arm around me in a comforting embrace as she whispered into my ear. "Tell him I love the necklace he got for me..."
Before I could respond, she pulled away and turned around, leaving the scene. Just then, did I notice her wearing a blue sapphire necklace that hadn't been there before she hugged me.
"We're so proud of you..." Voltage resumed as all eyes were on me again. "I can't wait for you to come back..."
"Once I've fixed what's broken..." I replied, closing my eyes and shrouding my world in darkness...
> Channel 003.1; In Death - Is Life
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"That nest needs to be condemned."


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


My eyes shot open wide as I gasped, looking up at the vortex above as it lingered in the sky.
My heart pounded heavily, and there was a sharp pain shooting through me from my back to my chest.
My back was arched as my body dangled above ground.
The breath of life exhaled into my lungs... I was alive again... And everything hurt like hell!
I attempted to lift my upper body up to see what was causing the pain, but it shot up to levels that had me screaming. Blood spurt from my lips, and I soon surrendered to the torture, refusing to make another attempt.
I stared up at the blood storm sky, where the vortex watched me.
Judging by the several dozen floors along the walls of the pit I was in, I'd have said I was back in the bunker. Or rather, what was left of it now.
The place was left deserted. Only the steel groans of the giant's belly accompanied me.
Something red slipped out from the vortex, descending at an accelerating pace. It crackled violently as it came down.
Immediately, I knew what it was. And all I could do was watch as it spiraled down to me.
My leg, a quarter of it being Tungstian, smacked me in the face. Hard...
"Son of a bitch!" I shouted, before I quickly tried to reached out for it, trying to shake myself past the pain in my head. Unfortunately, it fell past me into the debris underneath.
"Hold on..." Tuner said from my pipbuck. "Some old friends are on their way. Just hang in there..."
Suddenly, as if on cue, a vertibuck flew overhead, before nose diving into the pit I was stuck in. Before it could hit the ground, the vessel leveled itself out and circled around me, before eventually coming in for a landing.
The sound of wings flapping reached my ears in mere seconds after the vehicle touched ground.
"Holy shit... Charger!"
Now there was a voice I didn't expect to hear again...
"Hold on, Charger... I'm getting you out of here..."
"Thunder..." I cried out as her hooves grabbed a hold of my two fores, pulling me up.
"Shh... Don't waste your energy... just hang on..."
Whispers filled the air. The disgusting, violating whispers on the psyche...
"Boss!" Riot called out from the vertibuck.
"Yeah, I know!" She shouted back impatiently. "Just cover me! We're not leaving him here!"
"Just like old times." Destrier stated as an electric hum emanated from what sounded like a gatling laser.
"Eyes in the sky!" Riot shouted, which was soon accompanied with rapid laser fire that shot up at a variety of Nekkra that flew down after my friends.
Thunderwing cried out behind grit teeth as she strained her wings to pull me up.
Something slid out from my back just before my body fell in a limp state. Thunderwing held on to my forehooves, but my sudden descent nearly sent her coming down with me, before she adjusted herself through great struggle.
As I was carefully set down on the floor, a black coated pegasus scrambled up to me from a pile of rubble he had been hiding behind. I had almost mistook him for Shadow Hoof, as they looked almost identical; the only major difference being that he didn't have a horn, and his eyes were red, instead of blue.
His eyes locked on mine as Thunder jumped back, aiming her laser rifles at him.
"Wait, don't shoot!" I shouted, jumping between the two.
The pegasus practically collapsed on top of me, holding me tight from behind, shaking.
I looked over my shoulder at him. "Eight?"
He nodded his head quickly, and I turned my head back to Thunder. "He's a friend."
She glanced up for a split second. "Okay, yeah, whatever, great. We need to leave!"
She quickly took to the air and flew into the cockpit of the vertibuck as Destrier and Riot held their ground with the built in gatling lasers.
I hastily limped for the vehicle, hopping up into the back. When I turned around, Eight was already there, holding my severed leg. He held it out to me, trying to maintain his balance, as he still didn't seem used to being in a pony's body.
I took my leg back and set it beside me as we lifted off the ground. Digging into my saddle bags, I pulled out Chair, and as it unfolded in my grasp, I kicked my severed leg close to the ledge. The metal hoof still reacted to my emotions, so it was still a weapon.
Heavy music began to blast from my pipbuck as we ascended from the desolate remains of the bunker I once foolishly called home.
I limped over to the ledge, dragging Chair along the ground to use as support so I didn't fall over. Several dozen more Nekkra forms crawled out from the torn corridors in the walls of the pit...
They didn't stop pouring out...
There were far too many for us to take on.
It was then I realized we were in their hive.
"Hang on, boys..." Thunderwing said over the speakers as Destrier, Riot, and I all aimed at various parts of the walls that they came from. "This is gonna be one hell of a ride..."
"They're coming out of the walls!" Tuner shouted. "They're coming outta the God damn walls! It's game over, man! Game over!"
I shook my head as I rolled my eyes. "Conserve your ammo!" I said quickly. "Only shoot at the ones that get too close!"
"Copy that!" Riot replied.
We ascended from the earth, only to find more of the Nekkra standing around the hole, watching us as the whispers grew more cold and violent.
There was an excessive screaming in the music that I couldn't understand, but for some reason, I found myself enjoying it. It was chaotic... perfect for the situation we were in. It inspired me to kick ass.
Wings of black spread from the backs of many before they took to the air, chasing after us.
"Make your shots count!" Destrier shouted over the music as they started to gradually gain on us.
"LET'S ROOOOCK!" I screamed, aiming Chair around at the swarm on our six, as they were my main focus.
Destrier focused on the swarm that came in dangerously fast from our side. Riot seemed to be focusing fire elsewhere. A quick glance revealed to me that another swarm was flanking us from ahead, but Riot was dropping them like flies.
I quickly spun back around, peeking over the edge as I fired four pillars of red death at the incoming assault. Some of them were too slow to evade and disintegrated immediately, but many of the others dispersed.
I swung Chair around to the side as one of the Nekkra from Destrier's swarm latched itself on the other end of his gatling.
He stumbled back as the sweep of my lasers eliminated two more Nekkra that closed in from the side, before ending the immediate threat.
Destrier quickly got back on the gun, resuming fire without a second to lose.
The vertibuck abruptly tilted to the left as we evaded three of the remaining Nekkra from the swarm that Riot had been disposing of.
Chair evaded my grasp from the surprise as I slid back against Riot's rear. I was rolled off his back almost as soon as I struck him, falling out from the vessel.
I plummeted down to a desolate wasteland. More so than it had been before. It looked beyond sick...
Something grabbed a firm hold of my extended forehoof, and looking up, Riot was staring down at me, gritting his teeth as he held on tight.
Through his strain, I caught a hint of a grin as his body was pressed firmly to his turret. Destrier was clinging to his for dear life as well, as letting go would crush Riot into a red paste.
We were almost completely sideways and descending.
"Where do you think you're going, huh?" Riot grimaced, before trying to lift me back up.
I looked down, noticing all the ponies below were Nekkra.
Children. Adults. Raiders. Steel Rangers. Even some NCR and Enclave...
They were everywhere...
As far as I knew, all of Equus was infected now.
A lot of the Nekkra took notice in me.
"Charger!" Riot cried out, to which I lifted my head back up to him.
Eight was sticking his head out from behind the wall, which he now stood on. He held out my severed leg for a second, before letting go.
I swung my free hoof around, grabbing a firm hold of the electrified limb.
Just then, one of the pegasi swooped in, digging their fangs into my exposed chest and tearing out a chunk of flesh.
Screaming, my hoof flared up even more from the pain.
I felt Riot cling desperately to me, but he was sweating and losing his grip.
My screams were morphed into rage as the parasite ate my flesh, digging in for more.
In an instant, a black mist sprayed over my face as the creature's head exploded. A red stream of lightning danced along its body as it fell to the tainted lands below.
The source was coming from directly above me. More importantly, I felt the energy coursing through me.
My horn.
I lifted my eyes up to see a red pillar of electricity sticking out from where my horn was. The actual horn itself was split up in dozens of fragments that orbited around the electric pillar. Furthermore, tendrils of the red danced along the fragments the way electricity generally would, as if to tether them.
"Charger, look out!" Riot shouted.
I spun my head around in time to see another parasite coming in for the feast.
As its jaw opened wide, revealing a countless set of serrated teeth ready to tear into me, I pulled my arm back, before swinging the leg I had in my grasp forward.
It bit down on the metal hoof, frying its insides as thunder cracked across the dying skies. My pain and wrath enveloped its body, cooking it to ash. It screamed as it recoiled, letting go of my leg and collapsing to the earth.
I looked back up at Riot as he continued to attempt lifting me up. Finally, he turned to the door to the cockpit and screamed. "Thunder, for fuck's sake, level us out!"
The side door swung open on his side, and out dropped an ignited Nekkra, screaming and writhing as it plummeted.
She stuck her head out, glaring at me for a moment as she grit her teeth.
Black oozed from her lips...
She slammed the door shut, and soon after, the vertibuck was leveled out.
Eight scrambled to his hooves and began to assist in helping Riot lift me back up into the vehicle.
Another two pegasi were rushing in, and as I glared down at them, my vision began to change. Darkness crept into the corners as a green glow shined wherever I looked.
They increased their speed, and as the electricity crackled violently in my horn, it lashed out in an endless stream at both.
The farthest one got the worst of it, and was vanquished immediately.
The closest however, managed to rip into the leg of my barding and take a large chunk of me with it, before dying.
I hissed behind clenched teeth as I was hoisted back up into the vertibuck.
I crawled the rest of my way further in as I tossed my leg into the back, while Destrier and Riot resumed fire on the invading forces.
Eight stumbled clumsily back to the side of the door, pulling on Chair, which had stabbed through the metal wall during the tilt. He had no luck in making it budge, however.
I attempted getting back up, but the missing chunk in my leg screamed at me to lie back down.
Like hell that was gonna happen...
"I need a health potion!" I called out, to which Riot hastily pulled one from his saddle bags and rolled it over.
I ripped the cork off with my teeth - almost biting through it on account of my fangs - and chugged the contents within. Some of it spilled from my lips and slid down my chin, neck, and chest, but I could have cared less.
The missing flesh in my leg began to come back, closing the wound entirely. Thankfully, the gaping hole in my chest was also sealing up and regenerating.
I sighed with relief as I dropped the empty bottle, feeling the magic do its work.
Once the pain in my leg was starting to subside, I got back up and stood at Eight's side, resting a hoof on Chair.
He glanced at me, and I at him, to which he stepped aside.
In one quick jolt, I ripped Chair from the wall and went back to Riot's side, popping in a leftover cell I had from the battle in the bunker prior to the vortex. This was my last one.
The more we traveled through the sky, the more attention we got. Not that being on the ground would have been any different, either. There were entire armies of the afflicted down there... no one was left 'normal.'
A Nekkra swooped in from the left, digging their claws into the upper rim of the entrance while their hooves found purchase on the floor. Their wings spread out wide, releasing an aura of darkness as they glared down at me, completely ignoring Riot and Eight.
"You're supposed to be dea-"
I lodged the red bolt of my horn into the Nekkra's gut, and as I shot electric death into their body, the shards of my horn began to spun wildly, tearing the creature apart from the inside like a mining drill.
Their body fell away from the picture, and I looked over the ledge, watching their lifeless corpse disintegrate.
"You talk too much!" I shouted before wiping a hoof over my face, which I discovered was completely covered in the blood of my enemies.
I aimed Chair forward again as Riot resumed fire on the infection that worked tirelessly to close in on us and conquer.
My last shot in Chair, thankfully, was a good hit, as, in the time the four lasers lingered, five disappeared with them.
The cell pinged out, dropping down into the wasteland.
"I'm out!" I blurted as one of them closed in at an alarming rate. I tried firing another blast from my horn, but a sharp pain developed in my skull, lingering on and throbbing in the form of a migraine.
As I winced and put a hoof to my temple, taking a step back, I felt the shards of my horn come back together around the electric pillar.
"Did you just burn out your horn!?" Riot screamed through the music as I opened my eyes.
He focused fire on the nearest Nekkra, which was less than a second away from striking, before it was killed.
"I think..." I shook my head and sighed, but the movement only made it worse.
Damn it...
Not even a day of having it, and I already burnt my energy out. If I was anything like other unicorns, it was gonna take some R&R for it to recover.
And holy hell, the headaches were just as bad as they were before I had a horn! Unicorns had it bad!
"Destrier!" I called out, looking over my shoulder.
"WHAT!?" He screamed back as he blasted a Nekkra off the end of his gun as tendrils from its mouth wrapped around his head, trying to pull him in. I almost rushed in to help, but he had it under control.
"Any MCF to spare?" I asked as the body fell back from his blasts.
"Sorry, it's all going into these guns!"
I sighed and tossed Chair aside, then picked up my leg as the electricity trickled around my hoof.
The music seemed to be helping carry us through this.
"Charger!" Destrier shouted in desperation, and spinning around, I saw he was pinned by two of the parasites. They were tearing through his armor at an alarming rate.
As I moved hastily toward them, one of them looked up at me, hissing.
They were gifted with a mouthful of metal hoof.
As the other tried to leap out of the vertibuck, I bit down on its tail and pulled it back in. It fought for release, but I refused to let go.
Screaming and hissing, it thrashed underneath me as Destrier got back up, manning the turret again.
I slammed my hoof into the back of its head as it flapped its wings in desperation to get me off its back.
A hunger built within me.
I lunged my head down into the back of its neck, sinking my teeth into its infected flesh and ripping a chunk of it away, devouring the meat.
I was already beginning to feel stronger again... It made me want MORE.
I forced its head back as I took another mouthful of its throat in for nourishment.
It didn't last much longer after that. It's resistance gradually died with the rest of its body.
I pushed the half eaten corpse off the ledge once I got my fill. My horn broke apart in fragments once more; my energy now replenished.
"Thanks for the assist!" Destrier shouted through the gunfire. "Didn't expect this to be an all-you-can-eat-buffet for you, though!"
I licked my lips clean of the black, now sticky substance and swallowed before grinning.
Destrier, who glanced at me in that moment, shook his head. "You fucking changed!"
"For the better!" I replied, pointing my horn at the assault. The headache vanished with the consumption of the Nekkra that I made my victim.
As a powerful surge of electricity danced out from my horn, I screamed two words to my enemies. Adrenaline raced through my veins like a drug. The words tasted sweet on my tongue.
"BEAR WITNESS!"
Several dozen jagged strings of my electric red joined together in a race across the Nekkra filled skies, eviscerating all that dared challenge it instantly.
For a moment, the skies were cleared on the right side of the vertibuck. That bought us time.
The shards combined again, and in my peripherals, I could see the glow in the cracks were as vibrant as ever.
I turned to Destrier as he ceased fire, staring at me silently. I didn't need to see his facial expression to know he was awestruck.
"Desty, go help Riot! I gotta check on Thunder! She's hurt!"
For a second, he stood still. I shoved his shoulder as hard as I could.
"DESTRIER!"
He shook his head abruptly. "R-right! I'm on it!"
With that, he spun around and began firing his 50 cals at the rest of the swarm on the left. I wasn't sure what good they would do against them, but maybe shooting their wings out helped slow them down.
I opened the door to the cockpit and rushed in to see Thunder was at the controls, muttering to herself. I couldn't understand what she was saying, though.
I closed the door behind me as the music started to calm down and stepped up to her side, to which she glanced at me, looking a bit more than startled.
"C-Charger..." She let out a breath of small relief. "You might..." She swallowed and shook her head, sweating. "Fuck, you might need to take the controls... I don't know if I'm gonna make it..."
"Shut up." I snapped. "Don't go dying on me."
She chuckled dryly and shook her head again. "I'm infected, man..."
"So am I."
She turned and looked me dead in the eyes. "What are the chances that I'll end up like you?"
Her question gave me pause, to which she nodded.
"Exactly..." She looked back ahead. "If I don't make it, I need you to kill me before I turn. And... hey..." She cracked a smile, scoffing under her breath. "Look after my best guys, alright?"
"L-look after them yourself, Thunder. Don't you dare fucking give up now."
She laughed under her breath, smiling wanly. I could see through her mask as clear as day that she was terrified, though.
"Hot damn, Charger... You've changed a lot since last we met. Had quite a show in Vanhoover, too..."
I stood for a moment, watching her, before I finally took the co-pilot seat. Looking ahead at our flight path as rapid gunfire screamed behind us, I spoke.
"Where are we going?"
"Remember that house where we parted ways, next to the ocean?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
"Right now, that's the safest place to be in the northwest. Pretty soon, the entire world. Your friends... and other parties..." She seemed displeased with whoever she meant by that. "Well, they're all there. Trying to find a way to stop this thing. Or at least die together."
The gunfire outside ceased, and we looked to one another as we flew over the Vanhoover river that traced along the outskirts of Portlandia.
There was a sudden knock at the door before it swung open.
"Guys..." Riot said, to which we both turned around. He looked confused. "They're... retreating."
"What? Why?" Thunderwing asked, raising a brow.
"I don't know... Just, all at once, they turned around and left..."
Just then, did a howl of something out of this world roar across the sky in a fit of rage, easily exceeding Titan's volume.
Riot's eyes grew wide as he rushed back to his gun, and as the roar ceased, the music in my pipbuck let out heavy guitar riffs again.
"This ain't over!" Riot screamed.
"I think you pissed them off with that 'bear witness' comment, Charger!" Destrier stated nervously.
I got up from my seat and hurriedly limped to the side opposite of them.
They and Eight were all looking behind the vehicle, so that was my starting point.
Behind us was a six winged goliath that closely resembled a wasp.
It flew straight for us, and was quickly closing the distance, leaving a trail of shadow in its wake.
"Shit!" I stumbled back to the cockpit, leaning against the doorframe. "Thunder, you a great pilot!?"
"I mean... I like to think so."
"Good enough! Gonna need you to give me all your MCF cells and perform the best damn air show that'd make the Wonderbolts cream themselves!"
"Challenge accepted!" A confident smile formed on her lips as she took her saddle bags off and tossed them on the floor beside her.
I quickly dug into the bags and grabbed every cell I could find.
"Fly low." I said quickly, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Go as fast as you can along the river until you reach the ocean and head south."
"Hear you on FM." She replied.
I spun to the door and rushed out, nearly falling over in the panic.
I buried all the cells into my saddle bags, save for one, which went into Chair.
As the vertibuck darted along the river, I poked my head out, aiming Chair at the beast as it chased after us.
Destrier and Riot were focusing what ammo they had left in the guns on it.
Before I could fire, a hoof tapped on the back of my head.
I turned around to see Eight blink, before he tapped my chest, and then his own. Soon after, his wings sloppily extended, flapping a few times, though they were nowhere close to synchronized with each other.
"Speak, damn it!" Destrier said in a fit of anger. "Now's not the time to play charades!"
"He doesn't know how!" I shot back in a glare.
Eight flapped his wings impatiently as his mouth hung open a little. He then proceeded to point out at the beast, before bapping my chest harder.
My brows knit as I regarded him.
"I... think he wants me to absorb him... to gain his wings..."
He quickly nodded with a faint smile curling on his lips.
"Eight, if I do that... I don't know if I can bring you back..."
His shoulders slouched as he nodded again, this time adding emphasis in his movement.
He was infected too... so... maybe he'd be okay...?
Still, I didn't wanna risk losing him...
"What are we doing, Charger!?" Riot shouted as tidal waves moved from both sides of us, giving me an idea of just how much time we were losing.
"Alright, alright!" I shouted as I quickly began stripping myself free of my gear. Eight nodded once more as he stared me in the eyes, and his smile widened in appreciation.
"Keep in mind, I'm a unicorn. I have zero experience with wings."
The barding fell onto the floor at my hooves as Eight lied down, to which I got over him, pressing my stomach to his back.
He was extremely warm, and the scent to his coat and mane was surprisingly sweet, like nectar...
He sprawled his hooves out. I placed mine over them, burying my muzzle into his mane and closing my eyes as I began to feel us fuse into each other.
He flinched a little bit as I sank deeper into him, but he didn't try to get away. He was very calm through the whole thing.
For me, it was a horrifying experience. I was fine with our flesh melting into one mass, even though it was rather painful. What I didn't expect were my organs and bone structure to break apart inside me to reevaluate their position in order to work with his.
I couldn't scream. I couldn't move anymore. I had to see this through to the end in silence.
My - or rather, our - legs grew in length. Our muzzle stretched out in the transformation, and our horn stayed split apart in the fragmented shards, while a bright red cone of electrical light ran out from our head.
Our wings stretched out to both sides of the vehicle as we stood up on four legs, one of which was black. The top of our head nearly bumped the metal ceiling as we towered over our allies, who stared in astonishment.
We looked down at them through a green glow as the shadow crept in from the corners of our vision once more.
Our body was interpreted as mine, for the most part. Black mane and tail, though it was a lot longer now, and a biege coat.
Our left flank bore the mark of the Nekkra symbol, while the right bore the hammer and wrench.
Our electricity shot out from our horn, knitting through our wings like needles as we stepped to the ledge. That wasn't my doing. It must have been Eight's.
But now he was putting me in complete control of both of us in this new body.
The music still continued, but it seemed to be playing in my head, rather than in the real world.
I grabbed Chair and leapt out from the side of the vertibuck, swinging our body around to the right, facing the Nekkra that was dangerously close to catching its prey.
The electricity around our wings seemed to give a tremendous amount of support in our flight, as I didn't even need a warmup. It was as if I had personal training from a Wonderbolt for years!
We glided along the side of its colossal mass as it focused on the pursuit for the vertibuck.
I pointed our head down as electricity erupted from our horn, the fragments grinding into its body like a blender as we raced past it. The electricity from our wings ventured along its body, leaving a trail of our damage behind us.
The tips of Chair's legs all joined together as I stabbed them into the beast's flesh, leaving a wider gash in its side.
Upon pulling the trigger, the thing roared in agony and rage, causing the atmosphere to tremble.
We spiraled into its body from the excessive turbulence, but quickly recovered with our rear hooves launching us off and away.
I quickly glanced over our shoulder to find it had slowed down from our crippling blow. A hole had been torn clean through its body of shadow from Chair's lasers, and continued to slowly burn away, unable to regenerate itself.
It had trouble staying aloft, but even then, it was still hot on the vertibuck's tail.
I slammed a new cell into Chair as I spun around, facing its rear as it chased after the others.
Our horn crackled with scornful hatred toward the beast as we gained on it.
Close ahead was a bridge that cut across the river. While various sections of it had fallen apart, its pillars stood strong, keeping most of it up.
The monster seemed to adapt to the pain, as it began to go faster, and had less issues with its wings. We feared it was closing the distance between it and my friends.
The anger within us built as I glared at its back. The shards around our horn spun rapidly once more as electricity lunged out from both it and our wings.
"Leave! My friends! ALONE!" I screamed as a beam of red death stabbed into its upper back, between its highest set of wings.
It swerved to the left as a huge cloud of mist shot up from the water. The vertibuck swerved right, on the other side of the blast.
Just then, did the beast slam its body through one of the pillars, which had been holding a great percentage of the bridge together.
Concrete and asphalt dispersed into millions of chunks, and as the bridge started to come down, so did the debris.
As boulders crashed into the river, Thunder began to ascend, zig zagging left and right in an evasive attempt to get clear of the rainfall.
I worked my wings to the point we were starting to get worn out, but we couldn't stop. Not now. My friends needed us.
So I climbed shortly after veering to the right as a chunk of road came down where we were less than a second ago.
A straight shot up gave us a clear warning of where and where not to go as we launched through the field of rapidly descending detritus.
We found ourselves lacing around the obstacles as if it were a dance. Despite all the dangers around us, there was a certain level of calm in flight. The lack of contact... not being tethered down constantly. The wind in our face...
We felt free, almost...
As we breached the open air again, the music, while still heavy, went silent for just a little bit, before the chugging of the guitar started to raise in volume. I closed our eyes to the sun's warmth against our coat, and for just a moment, I let our wings come to a still, stretched out as far as they were allowed. I lifted our head up to the skies and beyond, basking in the glow of the setting sun.
Our body moved up gradually in that moment. A cold wind brushed through our feathers, mane, tail, and fur, sending a euphoric chill through our body.
I arched our back as I felt our elevation coming to a slow, but accelerating descent, and in doing so, flipped backwards, before opening our eyes, glaring down at the colossus as I descended on them in a nose dive, to which I folded our wings halfway to increase our momentum. The music picked up the the violent riffs again as the incomprehensible screaming resumed.
Holy fuck, I felt like a badass right now...
From this vantage point, I saw that we were coming up to another bridge.
I aimed Chair forward, keeping the four legs straight this time.
A beam of white shot out from the massive serrated stinger of the beast, and as if she expected it, Thunder steered up, while quickly leveling the vessel out during the u-turn, as to not let the propellers drag her back down in a stall. She barely missed the beam of light, and as she flew in the other direction, circling around the Nekkra, the shot brought up another plume of river water.
She bolted away, to which it spun around, about to release another shot at them.
As our horn erupted with energy, the four lasers lunged out in the mix, both of which dug into its head.
We quickly darted into it as the hole deepened. Venturing through its body, I grinded our horn against its walls, ripping into it further.
Its blood sprayed over us like a broken fire hydrant, covering us entirely in black.
As we shot out from its lower back, dragging Chair's blades along the surface of the water, the Nekkra form roared again.
The water quaked from its anger as I licked our lips clean of the blood.
Finally, I spun around, lifting ourselves up higher as its lowest set of wings failed to support its weight.
It cried out in a frenzy, before a black orb began to form in between its various legs. It grew as they expanded outward, never to lose contact with the creature's appendages.
Thunder flew back around, avoiding the thing entirely. But even then, it seemed to ignore the vertibuck that it had been so eager to capture.
As the vehicle darted past, missing us by a few feet, I popped a new cell into Chair.
The black orb had grown larger than the creature itself. It wasn't until it flew in that we realized it was a means of escape, rather than a weapon against us.
I swung around and caught up to the vertibuck as we stayed close to the water again.
I landed beside Destrier, who looked up at me and sighed nothing short of relief.
With the music still going on, albeit with a softer tune, I shook my head.
"I don't think this is over yet. Keep an eye out, both of you." I took a glance at Riot, who had been looking back at us as well.
He nodded and turned back around. "We have next to no ammo left." He stated.
I dropped my saddle bags beside me. "Take the MCF. There should be enough... hopefully..."
"I'll split it up between us." Destrier said as he dug in. "Go check on Thunder, see how she's doing."
I opened the door to the cockpit and crouched a little, looking in through the passage.
She looked back at us, her eyes wandering up and down our body.
"Go around to the door." She stated as she tapped her hoof against the window to her left.
I jumped out from Riot's side of the vertibuck and circled around in a knife-edge, before latching onto the front left side of the vehicle and opening the door.
We were currently too big to fit inside, so we stayed there.
"How are you holding up?" I asked with a hint of a smile.
"Feel like shit, and it ain't getting any better." She replied. "Not sure my flying would've impressed the Wonderbolts all that much, either." She looked over and smiled wanly. "Sorry to disappoint."
"Hey, you're all still alive. That's what matters. So obviously you did something right."
She shook her head and laughed softly. "Well, look at you being the optimist."
I chuckled in response, before looking around at the vertibuck. "Looks like you got a nice upgrade from the sky wagon."
She nodded. "Found it sitting around in an abandoned Enclave outpost on the way to the Dragon Lands. Just glad I still remember my flight training." Turning back to us, she continued, all while studying us. "So... an alicorn, huh? A male alicorn, no less..." She let out a whistle. "Now I've seen everything."
"Trust me." I said with a smirk. "You haven't."
"You're probably right, actually..." She responded after a brief second of pondering. She turned back ahead, biting her lip nervously. "Were you the one that fell out of the weird portal thing?"
I nodded. "Yeah..."
"What happened in there...? How'd you get that wicked looking horn?"
I sighed and looked ahead at our flight path. As I opened our mouth to speak, the black orb ripped itself back into the atmosphere on the other side of the bridge, at our elevation. It quickly shrunk as fast as it grew, and in its place was a Nekkra in the form of a scorpion. It was bigger than the wasp form we took on not too long ago.
The music got heavy with the chaotic storm of guitar riffs as the screaming began again.
The creature's pincers stabbed into the riverbed.
Turbulence rocked the vessel as a shockwave brought chunks of land mass up from the river in spikes, coming at us at an alarming rate and tearing through the bridge's foundations, bringing it down.
As I leapt off the vertibuck, I kicked our rear hoof off the door not only as a boost for ourselves, but to close Thunder inside.
I flipped around backward and raced along the surface of the water, our wing tips making contact with the river with each flap.
The electrical current from our horn and wings danced along the water, leaving a wide trail to our cause.
I darted in front of the vertibuck as endless pillars of rock launched up from below, eager to meet us halfway. I spun around and screamed as our horn burst with violent energy.
"Get ready to catch us!"
Thunder looked puzzled, but nodded nonetheless, to which I spun forward and accelerated, leaving a wide gap between us and the vehicle.
Fields of earth shot up, charging at us as I did to it.
I lifted ourselves up from the water by a few feet so that she'd have time.
Glaring ahead at the destruction before me, I released...
A massive pillar of crimson energy launched out from our horn. The waves rippled from my aggression as the sky roared, and the land rumbled.
The pillars that came for us and my friends, along with what remained of the bridge, were no more than ash in the wind as our endless stream bolted forward like a battering ram.
We couldn't see what was happening anymore. Nekkra lightning blinded us from seeing anything but itself.
Our body ached. Our head felt like it was being cracked open, and molten lava was being poured in.
We were burning out... just as I predicted.
The magic flickered out in short spurts, before shutting down completely. The electricity rippling through our wings vanished.
All I could do now was keep them straightened out and glide.
Looking ahead, we saw our way through had been opened, and then some.
The rocks - at least, the ones that were in our way - were no more. A deep trench had formed in the water for a small second, before the water began to rush back in to retake its territory, and at the far end, we witnessed the scorpion burn away into nothing.
Two birds, one stone...
"Hold on, boys!" Thunder screamed behind us through the intercom as the propellers grew louder.
I looked over my shoulder to see the nose of the vertibuck inches from my tail.
"Eight years of flight school, don't fail me now!"
Suddenly, as the vertibuck continued to catch up to us, the right propeller flipped around in reverse, while the left stayed straight ahead.
The vehicle spun to its right, exposing the left entrance as it drifted through the air.
The trench closed in on us from both sides drastically. We were officially under the water level...
I closed our eyes and grit our teeth, bringing our head forward again, expecting the worst.
Instead, our stomach slid across a metal floor until our side struck the same material.
Opening our eyes, we caught a brief view of the outside and found that while the trench was about a second away from devouring us whole, we spun around in a complete 360, still heading in the same initial direction.
As the waves of the river began to pour into the vessel, soaking us all, we lifted high above the surface.
"Hah!" Thunder gasped, laughing over the speakers as the music faded. "Ahnf... f-fuck... This is your captain speaking... T-thank you for flying with Thunderwing airlines. Sorry for the small hiccup, everyone... We hope you enjoy the rest of your flight. We should be arriving at Dead Sector within the hour."
We were home free!
Holy fuck, were we home free!
Our limbs shaking from what was once weakness, but now a rush of adrenaline, I started laughing. I attempted to stand, but our body wasn't having that. Our flank hit the floor hard as I pressed our back firmly against the wall, folding our wings. I was roaring in laughter!
Riot and Destrier finally let go of their guns, to which the unicorn started to join me.
Within seconds, he was howling and cheering with joy, rolling along the floor.
Destrier stared at us quietly and shook his head, but that wasn't stopping us!
"You're all insane..." Destrier said. "I fucking hate flying..."
"Nah, we aren't insane!" I blurted with a wide grin, which I soon realized was probably disturbing, considering we had rows of sharp teeth now. "We're ALIVE!"
"FUCK YEAH!" Riot cheered, to which we bumped our forehooves together.
> Channel 003.2; Dead Sector
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It's the end of the world, all over again..."


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I awoke from a short lived nap as Thunder's voice spoke over the speakers.
"We're here, boys..." She said with remorse. "Our new home..."
The first thing I noticed when I stood up was my height. I was back to my normal build. I had no wings.
I looked to my left at the wall opposite of me to find Eight sitting there, cracking a faint smile as he waved at me in a timid manner.
I smiled and waved back.
My body felt like it was shoved through a meat grinder, though...
Groaning, I stepped up to the right ledge as the vertibuck touched ground, and hopped out. Destrier disembarked after me, judging by the heavy, metal hooves that gently shook the ground.
Thunder clumsily opened the side door and hopped out, to which I started to take in my surroundings.
We had landed on the outskirts of a shanty town in between the two story house and the brewery where I met Thorne and her team.
Several ponies stepped out of the buildings - a lot of which were unicorns - and watched us from afar.
The sky suddenly grew brighter in a pulse of energy as I saw Bullet, Scope, and Petiole approaching.
The three of them stopped dead in their tracks upon seeing me - looks of disbelief etched on their face. Petiole's LEDs flashed blue upon seeing us, but I wasn't able to see his expression.
Bullet had an eyepatch over her missing eye.
"Charger...?" Petiole said as he stepped forward. "Is that really you...?"
I chuckled dryly. "Well, I sure hope so."
"Thunder." Scope nodded as he trotted up to her.
She smiled faintly. "Scope."
After they hugged, he looked to the former raider in the power armor. "Destrier..."
"Always good to see you again too, Scope." Desty replied. "I take it you want me out of the armor?"
"Yes..." Scope said softly as he turned to me. "Please..." I noticed he was staring at my horn.
The back of Destrier's armor opened up, to which he stepped out. For a moment, I forgot he looked almost identical to Bristle.
I heard my hoof crackle behind me, to which Eight, who had been walking up to me, dropped it in a panic as he jumped back, falling down.
"Who is this?" Bullet asked with a raised brow as she joined the rest of the group.
"Eight." I replied, holding my left forehoof out to him, which took a bit of balancing on my part. "He came from the battery. He's a friend." I smiled down at him as he took my hoof in his, looking up at me with a curious spark in his eyes.
He had a problem with his mouth always hanging open. But considering he never had a mouth before in his original body, I was gonna let it slide.
His scent was overwhelming... I couldn't get enough of it.
I began to notice a variety of other aromas in the air, all around me. Constantly changing. Sick, rotten, sweet, stuffy, hot... I even caught an aroma of something minty and cool, coming from the direction of Bullet Storm.
Another reason I kept close to Eight. His scent was nothing but pure sweetness.
That, and the feeling was mutual. He seemed eager to stay close to me.
"So what's up with the horn?" Bullet asked, poking a hoof at it. I burst into a giggle fit at the sensation.
"That tickled! Do it again!"
Everyone deadpanned at me with the exception of Eight, who simply smiled at me, before poking a hoof at my horn. I let out another series of giggles at the contact.
After a few seconds of calming down, I regarded everyone to find they were still stuck in a deadpan.
"Whaaaaat?" I whined.
"Yep..." Scope muttered. "This is the Charger we know..."
"Don't sound too disappointed." I frowned as my ears folded back. "I might get offended."
"Trust me, we're not." Petiole filled in quickly. "We need you. We always needed you."
"And you're back." Scope continued with a pleasant smile. "Welcome home, Charger."
"Scope." Destrier stepped before him, almost towering over his form. It made me realize how slender and frail looking Scope was. I knew that wasn't the case, though. Scope pulled his weight.
He looked up at the muscle bound, scarred earth pony. "Destrier."
"We need to talk. Do you have time?"
He nodded. "There's always time for you, Destrier." With that, he turned, cracking a smile, and they took their leave, walking side by side.
"I'll show Thunder and Riot around and get them settled in. Then I'll see what I can do about this..." Petiole said as he grabbed my severed leg, before nodding his head back. "Come with me, please."
"And then there were three..." Bullet muttered as we watched the rest of the group leave. She turned to Eight and I, smiling. "Soup's on. Y'all hungry?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I could eat. What about you?" I turned to Eight, to which he simply tilted his head curiously at me.
Oh... right.
I turned back to Bullet. "He doesn't know how to eat like us, so I'm gonna have to help him. But yes, we're hungry."
She nodded quietly for a moment. "Great! This way, then!"
She spun around and began trotting.
Before I could move, something heavy impacted with my back, causing me to let out a grunt.
Something heavy, yet warm.
I looked back to see Eight was draped over my back, grinning at me cutely. He held Chair and my barding.
"Oh, alright..." I rolled my eyes and chuckled, before looking ahead and limping forward with Eight in tow. "Hey Bullet, wait up!"


(((((((◉)))))))


The walk through the town was a bit longer than it needed to be, and all the ponies and griffins in the area kept staring at us in bafflement, but eventually, we reached the back of the food line.
While there were a lot of unicorns and pegasi in the line, I noticed some Steel Rangers too. They didn't need their armor to tell me that. I recognized quite a few just from the color of their coat and mane.
There were, however, some that I had never seen before.
Bullet sighed. "Yeahhh... so, look..." She paused and hung her head, pawing at the dirt. "We needed all the help we could get, Charger... We took in several different chapters of the Steel Rangers, including Bristle and Titan..." My hoof flickered a little in response, but I kept cool. "I'm sorry, Charger. But we kinda need Titan for something like this."
I stared for a moment, taking in a deep lungful of air. Finally, I looked ahead again. "I agree with you, Bullet."
"Wait, what?" She asked in confusion.
"We do need Titan. We need every available body we can get if we're gonna face the Nekkra."
She sighed with relief and chuckled under her breath. "Well, at least I don't have to try and convince you. You seem to already be on board."
I cracked a smile, looking down. "I may not like it... Them being so close to the unicorns I worked hard to rescue. But I'll accept it. For now."
"Thank you, Charger..." Bullet said softly under her breath.
"Hey, I do extra work for you shitty horn heads!" A stallion screamed ahead. "I deserve more rations!"
Bullet bit her lip nervously as she peeked around the line. "Here we go again..." She nudged my shoulder. "C'mon, Charger, let's break it up before it escalates any further."
"Tongue fuck my tight ponut!" A familiar raspy voice of a filly shouted back. "Cause that's the only extra food ration you're gettin'!"
Bullet broke into a full canter at the retaliation, to which I turned my head to Eight.
"Can I set you down?"
He nodded quickly, as if he were worried too, before sliding off me and sitting clumsily on his haunches.
I scrambled forward hastily, but with only three legs, it was quite a challenge to not trip over myself.
As I clumsily raced forward, I noticed a lot of the unicorns and earth ponies jumped back. Hushed voices grew in number the further I went; my name being repeated by many.
"You better pray I don't find you out at night!" The stallion blurted. "I'll teach you how to use that mouth of yours! You better sleep with one eye open!"
"Hey!" Bullet screamed, getting between the two of them as they shot daggers at each other. "That's enough!"
"Try it, motherfucker! I'll bite your fucking dick off and give it to you as your EXTRA! GODDESS! DAMNED! FOOD RATION!" Aura screamed at the top of her lungs in a fit of frustration.
"Aura, enough!" Bullet screamed back, her mane already beginning to look messy from trying to keep the two of them at bay.
"STAY OUT OF THIS, BULLET!" The now evident ranger, judging by the power armor, roared.
"Everyone gets an equal share!" Bullet glared at him as I scrambled up from behind him, ignoring everyone else.
He laughed as he spoke. "Your daddy can't protect you now! He couldn't even protect his ass from being an outlet to an entire chapter! Hence the name Charger Outlet Surge!"
"SPEAK OF THE DEVIL, AND HE'LL FUCKING APPEAR!" I roared.
Just as the ranger spun around to me in his power armor, I leapt up off my rear hoof and stretched my mouth open wide as I closed in on his face. The last thing I saw in his eyes was pure terror, knowing I came back from the dead, now stronger than ever before.
I snapped my maw shut over his entire muzzle, sinking my teeth in for a moment, before his bone structure collapsed on itself, catching even me by surprise.
He jolted back in a howl of garbled, choked screams, to which I ripped his muzzle off his face. Even going as far as taking a little more of his face with it.
His bones crunched under the pressure of my teeth as I chewed, sucking the juices from the chunk of meat I ripped off him as my tongue lapped up some of the blood across his lips.
The ranger fell on his side, crying out as everyone stared down at him in silence. Aura and Bullet's jaws were dropped as they watched the ranger bleed out. His incomprehensible pleas started to die out as his eyes became lifeless.
I swallowed the chewed up meat that was ready for processing.
Aura and Bullet still stared in awe for a second, before their eyes met the protective, yet murderous instincts of a predator in mine.
I noticed Aura had been wearing a red cap with a golden hammer and sickle on the front, crossing each other much like my cutiemark did. I didn't know what it meant. I had never seen that symbol before. But it looked cool!
I slowly turned to the line as his blood dripped from my lips, to which everyone backed up a pace, staring in horror.
"Does anyone else wanna talk about raping my fucking daughter!?"
The entire town fell silent as all eyes were on me.
Green enveloped my vision as darkness crept in, earning me even more terrified looks from the ponies in line.
"We need every available body for what's to come!" I screamed, before waving a hoof to the dead ranger, keeping my eyes on all of them. "But I will not hesitate a moment before killing anyone that threatens to harm my baby girl! Get with the program, or fucking die!" Tears began to break free as my hot breath escaped in a fight against the fear of anyone hurting her more than she had already been. "Let this be..." I shook my head and wiped my eyes, before pointing my hoof at the ranger again, my voice breaking. "Let this be a reminder the next time someone has an urge to h-hurt her!"
The crowd murmured in acknowledgement.
It was just then that I noticed the unicorn in the front of the line. Her backside was pressed against the chestplate of an Enclave pegasus, staring at me with fear stricken eyes.
Sunrise...
I softened my expression for a moment as a new wave of emotions added to the mix. Grief, sadness, anger...
And then forgiveness...
I turned away from her to face Aura and Bullet, who looked more concerned than scared.
"Whoa, Charger..." Bullet said softly, as if speaking too loud would endanger her. "Your eyes..."
I lifted my pipbuck to eye level to find the rings of my eyes were now glowing a balefire green in the reflection of the blank screen, while what was supposed to be white, was instead black.
This was mentioned back in the fight at the bunker, but this was the first time I was seeing it for myself. That wasn't what caught my attention, though. There seemed to be a new addition that caught even Bullet off guard as well.
In the center of both of my eyes, the Nekkra mark glowed red.
I closed them and took a deep breath of air again, before exhaling slowly.
He was dead now. He wasn't going to hurt her...
I licked my lips free of the blood that stained them and opened my eyes again, looking at Aura through normal vision as I approached calmly.
"Hey, baby girl..."
Aura grinned. "Hey there, badass demon daddy." She trotted around the stand and hugged me tight, though she did well to avoid putting her muzzle on my coat, as it was stained with Nekkra blood. "I missed you so much. I never thought I'd see you again..."
I placed a loving kiss atop her head and smiled softly down at her. "I'm so glad to have you back in my arms..."
She looked up at me and smiled brightly. "D-do you want some soup?"
"No thanks." I replied, before grinning, exposing my blood stained fangs. "I already ate... I could use a shower, though."
"One shower, coming right up!" Aura beamed, before turning to Bullet as she adjusted her hat. "Can you take my shift, auntie Bullet?"
Bullet nodded with a happy smile. "Of course, dear. You go and spend some time with your dad."
"Thanks!" Aura ran up to her and hugged her tight, nuzzling her chest. "I love you!"
Bullet giggled as a blush formed on her cheeks, glancing at me for a moment in embarrassment, before kissing the top of her head. "I love you too, Aura. Be good."
"No promises!" Aura blurted as she trotted back to me.
I raised a brow to Bullet Storm as she tried to avert her eyes from me. I could tell she was nervous now... But she had no reason to be.
I stepped up to her calmly and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, before whispering in her ear.
"Thank you for being there for her, Bullet..."
My appreciation was rewarded with a look of surprise from the unicorn mare, blushing even brighter now. "I-I..." That was all she could get out of her, before I chuckled and walked alongside Aura, who was heading back to where we came from. That was good on my part, because we still had to pick Eight up along the way. He needed a shower too.


(((((((◉)))))))


To my surprise, the showerheads beside the two story house ran hot water, making the time it took to wash the blood and grime off my body much more enjoyable.
I remembered before the event of the vortex that Petiole mentioned how him and Thorne were going to grab the bunker's water talismans. It was nice to see them being put to good use, rather than be hoarded, like they had once been. There was a time where unicorns weren't allowed to have luxurious showers such as this.
Beside me, Eight stood under his showerhead, looking up curiously with his mouth hung open. Water pooled up in his inexperienced orifice until it couldn't anymore.
I chuckled as I limped over to him
"E-Eight, c'mon man."
He looked at me and smiled happily, which resulted in all the water being pushed out from his mouth.
Well, we was starting to understand facial expressions a bit more at least...
Leaning against his form so that I didn't fall over, I ran a hoof along his somehow smooth, well groomed coat, helping him wash down the battle we had gone through to get here.
Aura, who occupied a different showerhead, giggled as she regarded us.
I looked over just in time for her to slide her eyepatch back on.
"He's so damn clueless." She remarked with a smile and the shake of her head.
I smiled back, before turning back to him. He looked from her to me once more.
"He's not exactly from around here." I gently pushed him under the running water further so it could wash down his back, and I resumed scrubbing again. "He just needs a little help."
After what felt like half an hour cleaning Eight and leaving the outdoor shower area feeling refreshed, Aura and Eight went back to the soup line. My armor was shredded yet again, so I decided to leave it at the showers. Petiole would find it eventually and fix it up... I really needed to start paying him for the amount of time and dedication he put into constantly restoring it.
My daughter asked me to go find a table for them to eat at while they waited in line.
I found a spot within a minute of looking, as nearly everyone had gotten their fill at this point. To my surprise, I didn't have any real dark thoughts in my time alone. I felt... a little more at peace.
I had an idea what caused that, too. Meeting my parents. Snow Star. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest. I could breathe again... I had closure.
I finally... finally had closure...
I found myself smiling as I looked up at the darkening sky, imagining they were looking back down at me.
The wait was a bit longer than I would have thought, but eventually, Aura and Eight came around.
The cute little filly sat next to me, and the confused mute pegasus sat across from us as the two of them had their dinner.
Eight seemed to just bury his muzzle into his bowl, though... The bubbles that came up had Aura trying to refrain from laughing.
"Eight..." I smirked, lifting his head from the bowl, to which he began licking his lips clean of the soup. His muzzle however was left drenched in his dinner.
Thankfully, Aura levitated a washcloth from her saddle bags and wiped his face clean.
"Thank you, dear." I said with a gentle smile, before turning back to him. I picked up the spoon in his bowl, taking some of the contents from it in the process. "Here, open your mouth a little wider."
He looked at me curiously with his head cocked to the side, but did as I said, to which I carefully slid the spoon into his mouth. I used my other hoof to gently press into the bottom of his chin, pressing his lips around the thin strip of curved metal as I slowly slid it back out, freeing it of the nourishment.
His eyes stayed locked to mine all the while.
"Good, now try and swallow." I said, before lifting my head to show my throat gulp as a demonstration.
It took a bit of time and effort, but after about a minute scrunching his face up awkwardly while keeping his mouth shut, I saw his Adam apple move up, before quickly descending again.
"Great job!" I cheered on, patting him on the shoulder, to which he beamed at me. I reached the spoon out to him. "Now you try."
He took the utensil and repeated what I showed him. His second time succeeding, he dropped the utensil and clopped his hooves together, grinning ecstatically.
Aura glanced to him for a moment, before her eye returned to mine. "Is he, uh... mentally challenged or something...?"
That earned her a deadpan.
"What!?" She blurted defensively. "I said it the nice way! I didn't use the r-word!"
"Fair..." I sighed with resignation and smiled wanly. "His original body didn't come with a mouth."
She blinked once, before staring for a moment. "Uh... okay, that raises a lot of questions..."
"He's an alien." I stated simply, which resulted in her jaw dropping in disbelief.
"R-really...?"
I nodded. "Mhm."
She shook her head and grit her teeth, before waving both fores up in the air. "That raises even more questions!" She spun to Eight. "H-he's just fucking with me, right?"
Eight simply shook his head.
In an instant, she stared at both of us flatly, just before her head hit the table. "That's it. Brain hurty. Need whiskey." She picked up the bowl before her and drank up the rest of the soup, before tossing it back down and standing up. "You coming?"
"Where are we going?"
She cracked a smile in response. "I have a bar."
I turned to Eight, who kept taking in rapid spoonfuls of his dinner.
"You good here alone, Eight?"
He nodded happily, grinning as he plunged his spoon back into the bowl for more of the steaming nutrition.
I chuckled and stood up, limping after my daughter as she slowly made her way through the settlement.
"So what's up with the hat?" I asked, taking another gander at the hammer and sickle that crossed each other. "Looks nifty."
She looked up at me, smiling softly. "Auntie Bullet says it's a branch of communism. And, well... since I follow that idea..." She giggled behind a hoof. "Figured it'd be kinda fitting for me to wear it while serving soup."
"All you're missing is the loaf of bread..." I muttered, looking away.
"Damn straight." She beamed.
I was partly into that, but full on communism? History told me time and time again that it never really worked out.
Anarcho Syndicalism, however...
Yes, please.
The important thing was that her beliefs were just that. Hers. Not mine. I had to respect that. I didn't love her any less.
Funny... I had never seen myself considering what political - or anti-political - stance I liked the most. That kind of stuff didn't really matter out here anymore. It was more of a hobby at this point. A conversation piece. Albeit, one I never shared with anyone, until now. All that really mattered in the wasteland was survival. Well, that, and how one chose to survive. Where one's morals lied.
Mine were fucked up... once...
I was no better than a raider. No better than the chapter I hated...
Oh. There's my dark thoughts...
Minutes had gone by as we trekked through the shanty town, heading to a grounded, half-buried Raptor that looked like the majority of its tech had been stripped away. I noticed the claw marks torn through the exterior. I had done that...
Aura broke the silence between us again.
"So who all did you come here with?" She kept her eyes on the vehicle ahead.
"Some old friends that helped me get to where I am now. Thunderwing, Destrier, and Riot. You already met Eight."
Aura nodded slowly, biting her lip. "Noticed you didn't mention Firebright."
A shard of glass stabbed through my heart and twisted further in at the sound of her name. I staggered a bit from the hit, before going back to my pace prior to it.
"That's because she's gone, Aura..." I whispered under my pained breath.
"Good." She spat with resentment. "Bitch deserved whatever happened to her."
That only twisted the glass further in...
"Aura..."
She sighed and shook her head. "Dad, she played you for a fucking fool, and you took the bait. She hurt you and mom. How can you forgive that?"
"She was changing..." I whispered.
"Bullshit." She glared. "Ponies don't change."
I stopped dead in my tracks, my brow knitting as I looked down at her. She stopped and regarded me in turn.
"I changed, Aura. Me. Lest you forget, I was a monster at one point, too! So how dare you fucking say that ponies don't change!"
She flinched to my raised voice as regret grew in her eye. She sighed and hung her head down. "R-right... forgot about... that..."
I shook my head as the anger and disappointment grew. I continued the rest of the way to the raptor; Aura staying behind me. She had nothing left to say, and neither did I.
Or... I thought that was the case.
"Dad, wait..." She whispered. I lifted my head in exasperation, before turning around.
"Yes?"
She trotted up to me, holding me close. "I'm sorry... I didn't... mean to... make you angry..."
I stared silently as my jaw dropped. Soon enough, I wrapped a hoof around the back of her head, pulling her in closer.
"Aura..."
"I'm sorry, daddy..." She shivered, before lifting her eye to meet mine. Tears had welled up within. "I... still don't like her, but... You knew her best. I shouldn't have said that... I didn't mean to hurt you..."
I sighed and closed my eyes. "I know, hun... Just... be careful what you say next time, okay?" I nuzzled the top of her head. "I'm sorry I yelled... I love you..."
She squeezed me tighter momentarily, before letting go. "I love you too, dad."
I pushed the door to the raptor open to find it had been hollowed out and turned into a bar. It was empty of customers for the most part.
Only three... creatures... sat around; two of which were side by side.
The one that sat alone with a bottle of Everfree stout in front of him was a changeling, of all things. I was starting to see a bit more of them as time went on.
His dark blue eyes lifted from the bottle to me, and almost immediately, his somber expression shifted to a smile of appreciation as his wings of the same color buzzed.
The two that sat beside each other at the bar were none other than Thorne and Hollow. The few empty bottles of beer scattered around them told me they had been drowning whatever sorrows they carried with them for some time now.
They were talking to each other, but I couldn't hear what they were saying from here.
The changeling waved at me happily, to which I waved back and smiled faintly, but I had no idea who that was.
I limped toward the two mares from behind, doing my best to stay quiet. Thankfully, the depressing music that played over the raptor's interior speakers helped cover my tracks.
I quickly gathered the breath I needed for the idea I had in mind once I stopped directly behind the two and let loose.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Thorne jumped out of her seat, falling over and screaming in pure terror while Hollow flinched and spun around to me with shock-filled eyes.
I grinned as I regarded the two mares.
Hollow continued to stare in disbelief that I was there, while Thorne's chest rose and fell rapidly. She pressed her upper back against the bar, staying on the floor as she looked up at me.
"What the FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" She screamed as she scowled at me.
"That." I said quickly, pointing a hoof at her. "That right there. That's what it's like coming back from the dead. Sudden, terrifying, and a lot of screaming."
"H-how...?" Hollow whispered, reaching a hoof out to me. I took her hoof in mine and placed a kiss on it, smiling faintly afterward.
"We have a lot to talk about tonight." I stated, to which Hollow leapt off her bar stool and hugged me tight, but with three legs, that had both of us falling.
As my back struck the metal ground, she knocked the wind out of my gut upon coming down on top of me. But I was still laughing as she held me tight. I was more than happy to return the favor.
"I missed you too, Hollow."
"Charger, holy fuck..." She whispered behind a wavering voice. "I can't... believe you're actually here." She lifted herself up part way, sitting atop my form as she gazed down at me happily, running her hooves all around my body, feeling as much of me as she was able from there. She didn't seem to believe her eyes, so I guessed touch was the next best thing.
I grinned up at her before sitting up, pressing my muzzle to hers as I looked deep into her dark red eyes. My hooves wrapped around her barrel, meeting at her back.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you missed me a bit too much." I whispered playfully.
A shade of red formed on her cheeks before she turned away and cleared her throat. She lifted herself up from my body. "R-right..."
Thorne finally shook herself from the surprise and stood up, trotted over to me, and reached out a hoof. I took it, and she helped me back up on my hooves. She glanced down at my stump momentarily.
"What happened to your leg?" She asked with a raised brow, still trying to gather herself from my scare.
"Oh, this?" I looked back at where my leg should have been and grinned. "'Tis but a scratch."
"It doesn't... hurt?" Hollow raised a brow.
"Not in the slightest." I replied as I limped to a stool left of Hollow, sitting down at the bar.
The two mares gathered back in their seats as I continued.
"I'm gonna need to gather everyone's attention tonight. And I mean everyone."
Hollow nodded hesitantly. "Then consider it done. I relayed it to Sora, and she's working on setting up a meeting at the factory now."
Aura trotted to the other side of the bar and reached her magic to a bottle of Wild Pegasus whiskey on the top shelf.
As she set it on the scratchy, wooden surface, four empty glasses accompanied it.
"Thanks for holding the fort while I was gone, Hollow." Aura stated as she twisted the cap off the bottle and poured the amber beverage in each glass by a quarter, save for one, which she pulled closer to her before filling it to the lip.
"Not like I had anything better to do..." Hollow said as she turned back to her. "Until now, anyways."
I found her hoof tracing a purple 'C' on a wooden block meant for a foal.
She turned to me as I stared down at it. It seemed... familiar... But I couldn't quite place it.
As Aura slid our drinks to us, I pointed at the item beneath her hoof.
"What's the story?"
A warm smile spread on her face as she slid it over to me.
"A long time ago, someone I loved..." She paused for a moment, before shaking her head. "... Correction... Someone I love gave this to me as a promise."
I picked the block up, inspecting each side, which carried a random assortment of letters in the alphabet.
C.H.S.A.F.P.
"What was the promise?" I asked tenderly, looking back up at her.
She gazed deep into my eyes as hers welled up with tears, but her smile widened just a little. "He promised me that he would always be with me, even if it wasn't in the flesh. He promised me that we'd see each other again." She tapped her chest with a hoof, before she reached out and tapped the same hoof over my once dead heart. "And I promised him that I'd always be in here..."
My heart beat against her hoof rhythmically, and she closed her eyes to the sensation, before I eventually lifted her hoof in mine, navigating it to my cheek. I closed my eyes as I leaned against it.
"I love you so much, mom..." I whispered as tears tore through my defenses, sliding down my cheeks.
"M-mom...?" She tensed up, to which I opened my eyes again, smiling softly at her. My view of her was obscured by the tears that breached, but I could tell she was caught by surprise.
I nodded and closed my eyes once more, keeping them shut as my breath shivered. "My biological parents chose you to take care of me if they couldn't. You're my mom..." Our contact parted with a soft kiss to her hoof. "I'm sorry I didn't see it before..."
"Y-you will always be my son..." She whispered behind her now trembling voice.
There was a moment of silence amongst us, but the pressure inside me built. I was overloaded...
"It's b-been so fucking hard..." I grit my teeth as my chest and shoulders rose and fell with each pained involuntary breath I released.
"I'm so s-sorry, Charger... I sh-shouldn't have left you there!" Her tears betrayed her as mine did; in a flood against a dam. "I wanted to bring you with me s-so bad!" Her hooves wrapped around both of mine for only a moment, before they wrapped around me and met at my back as her body pressed into mine. "I lived with the fucking guilt every day since." She cried out in blended anger and grief. "I r-ruined you... I failed y-your parents... and more importantly, I-I failed... you... No matter what I do from here on out w-will fix that." She nuzzled my neck, and her tears washed into my coat as her lips shook against it.
I finally opened my eyes again, the lights in my peripherals smeared as if a paintbrush had swept across the canvas of a painting not yet finished. I leaned my head back a little, resting one of my hooves on her cheek. Her eyes cracked open to look back into mine. Her face was stained with her sorrow, as I assumed mine was.
"Y-you have me again... And I have you..." I bit my lip as my chest quaked. "W-we made a promise..." I let out a pained chuckle seconds before placing a kiss on her cheek. "And we fulfilled it..."
"Forever..." She whispered in my ear, before placing a kiss on the tip of my nose in turn and going back to her stool; our hooves locked around each other as they hung between us.
We both began wiping our tears away with our free hoof, giggling at the mess we made of ourselves and sniffling to clear our senses.
"Hey, Aura..." I sniffled and turned to her as she regarded the two of us silently with a raised brow. "D-do you know where Fluky is? I was hoping I'd see her."
"No one's seen her. She became a recluse when you disappeared..." She hung her head down to the drinks. "Not that it was your fault, of course..."
I'd have to find her later, then. Searching through an entire town as a cripple didn't sound too fun for me. Hopefully I'd see her tonight.
"Hey, Charger..." Thorne started as she leaned forward to get a look at me. "Gotta ask... Where's Firebright? I'd love to see her."
That storm cloud came rushing back as my smile diminished.
Thorne noticed immediately...
"Oh..." She looked down at her drink. "I... see..."
"I tried to bring her back with me..." I muttered. "She's not dead. She's just..." I couldn't bring myself to say it.
"... Gone..." Thorne finished, before picking up her drink and raising it to the group. "To Firebright, then."
Hollow and I raised our glasses to hers, speaking in unison.
"To Firebright."
Clink!
The three of us stopped and stared as a red field of magic enveloped a full glass of whiskey, meeting ours.
We all turned to Aura as she regarded us with a dark red glow in her horn. She nodded to us with a hint of a smile on her lips.
"To family..."
I smiled back shortly before we emptied our glasses and broke into a fit of shudders and coughs. Hollow seemed to handle it more than fine, however. Benefits of cybernetics, perhaps.
"So how long was I away?" I asked after the burn in my throat settled. Aura began pouring another round for us, including herself. This time, she was taking a quarter glass.
"A little over a month now, since the bunker was destroyed." Thorne answered simply, staring down at the amber drink.
"Any chasers?" Aura asked as she levitated some Sparkle Colas up from behind the bar.
"Nah." I grinned. "I like my whiskey like I like my stallions. Rough down my throat."
Hollow and Thorne both burst into laughter as Aura blushed.
"W-wait, do you actually like stallions?" She questioned with a raised brow.
"Mhm!" I nodded happily as I lifted the glass to my lips. "Double the options, double the fun." With that, I washed the whiskey down my throat, before shuddering.
Aura giggled and shook her head, before taking her next round.
"Words of wisdom right there." Hollow grinned.
"Sweet Celestia, am I the only one straight one left!?" Thorne blurted.
"Let's find out tonight..." Hollow spoke softly behind a purr of arousal as she looked over at the former ranger in a sultry gaze.
Thorne blushed profusely as her mouth hung open. "I-wh-hold-but-I..." She shook her head hard. "Wh-what weird zebra magic did you just put on me to like the idea of that!?"
"Guilty!" Aura shouted, pointing a hoof at the earth pony. "You are so not straight!"
Thorne huffed and looked away.
Hollow and I laughed, to which I squeezed her hoof playfully. She reciprocated my action as she grinned, glancing at me. I squeezed again, and soon enough, we had a secret little battle with each other, before we both chuckled and surrendered to each other. She lifted my hoof up to her lips and placed her affection against it as her red eyes stared into me cutely. A soft blush formed on her cheeks as I felt her lips curl into a content smile.
"Guess I have more to learn about myself..." Thorne muttered.
Hollow lowered both of our hooves as she turned around and placed another kiss elsewhere.
Thorne's cheek.
"You don't have to learn about yourself alone..." She whispered in the silence of the room.
Thorne may as well have colored her whole coat red. Her face seemed to be stuck in that scarlet shade.
"Y-you know what..." She laughed nervously. "Fuck it. The world's ending. Live in the moment." She quickly - and quite awkwardly - pecked Hollow back on the cheek.
Hollow beamed.
"E-excuse me..."
The trio of adults looked behind us to find the changeling standing there, smiling softly. "Do you mind if I join you? You look like you're all having fun." He pawed his black chitin hoof at the floor nervously.
I waved a hoof to the empty seat next to me.
"The more, the merrier."
"Thank you." He replied happily, sounding relieved of some stress that had been building up within as he took the seat I offered him.
"What's your poison?" Aura asked in a grin as she folded her hooves below her chin. Her elbows rested on the bar's surface.
"Can I have what they're having?" He asked timidly.
"Glass of Wild Pegasus, coming right up!" She said cheerfully as her horn lit up, enveloping another glass off the shelf behind her in her magic. Without moving a muscle, she poured his drink and slid it over. "Free of charge. But keep it between us. Still got a business to run."
"It'll be our little secret." The changeling grinned and winked, revealing his fangs. At one point, I would have seen it as intimidating. But now? Fangs were fucking killer.
He enveloped his drink in a green glow.
"To love." He raised his glass to the ceiling, before bringing it to his lips and drinking.
I reached a hoof out to him. "Name's Charger."
He took my hoof happily, and we shook. "Actually, we met before."
"Wait, really?"
He grinned nervously as he looked down. "I, uh..."
In a green flash, his body shifted to a young, yellow coated earth pony that I once found cowering in a closet beside a pile of steaming shit.
"Oh, hey!" My eyes lit up. "Brown Closet!"
He deadpanned for a moment, before sighing. "Yeah... that... But now that the truth is out, please call me Odonata."
"Pleased to..." I froze, thinking to myself a moment. "Well... our first impression of each other wasn't really all that pleasant..."
We both shared a laugh.
"No, it certainly wasn't." He replied as something clicked repeatedly. It took me a moment to realize it was coming from him.
"But it's nice to see you again." I stated with a gentle smile.
"Likewise!" He beamed as his wings buzzed again. "And under better terms, no less!"
The ship's speakers began to play an upbeat tune, taking a completely different turn from the dour setting the room had once carried.
Hollow shot up for a moment and looked up at the speaker above us.
"That's not in the selection..." She scowled as her eyes darted around the room. "Tuner..."
"Over here." He replied from my pipbuck.
"Not you." She muttered, glaring down at my bracelet. "I mean the other Tuner. My Tuner."
"Wait, huh?" I raised a brow in the utmost confusion. "Other Tuner? And what's wrong with the song? It sounds catchy."
"Listen to the lyrics, Charger..." She sighed softly and shook her head. "Damn the stars..."

	What did I do so wrong?
You lied and led me on
Was I your hit and run?
Left for dead and now you're gone

Oh we were comin' around
You threw me back down
You had my trust in your hooves
You gave it up again

We were comin' around
So far from dealin' with all these little games

Oh... Okay, I saw what was happening here...
"That's not funny..." I muttered.
"No shit..." She replied flatly. She glanced down at my pipbuck and sighed again. "You're lucky you got the better Tuner. The one I'm stuck with is a nightmare... He told me I had to leave you... It wasn't until later I realized everything he was telling me to do was all for some sick joke." She hung her head and closed her eyes as the song continued. "Wish I found out sooner... Things could have been different."
Aura and Odonata looked confused, but Thorne seemed to be picking up a little bit on what was happening.
"So... how is there more than one Tuner?" I cocked my head.
"The same reason there's more than one you. Infinite universes, infinite possibilities. There's infinite copies of each and every one of us; each with one small - or big - change in their life."
"Well, that's interesting..." Aura smirked. "Maybe if I come across one of my other versions, I can replace my missing eye!" That smirk became a mischievous grin.
"Thinking like a true freelancer, dear..." Hollow replied with a faint smile.
"I don't get it." Odonata stated as he shrugged.
Hollow turned to him. "Out there, in space, us freelancer mercenaries have an... unorthodox training ritual. To test our limits in battle. The idea is that our biggest enemy - our biggest challenge we'll ever face - is ourselves. So we hunt our alternate realities down and kill them however we see fit. There's infinite copies, so there's plenty of training at our disposal."
"That's... really fucked up..." Odonata said with a horrified look etched on his face.
"Eh..." She shrugged. "Bullet does it, I do it, even Rust."
"Dude, that's fucking badass!" Aura grinned.
"So what happens if one of your alternate selves gets the jump on you?" Thorne asked, to which Hollow grinned.
"Then it means that I wasn't good enough. But that's never come close to happening."
"How many have you killed?" I questioned, peaked with curiosity.
"607,293." She replied immediately, as if the number was burnt into her memory. "And that was before I took up residence on Equus. Now it's at 607,294."
Aura laughed. "Fucking awesome! My grandma is a kick-ass immortal zebra Goddess alien warlord!"
"That's kinda morbid..." Thorne stated bluntly. "Do you at least make the deaths quick?"
"Of course." Hollow nodded, looking her over. "There's no reason to make them suffer. The point is to train yourself against, well... yourself. It's not about sadism. I've hunted down freelancers that took that level of pleasure in making their own copies suffer as a bonus round."
"Okay, that..." Thorne paused, patting her on the back. "I can kinda respect that. Still don't like the idea of needlessly killing, but... at least they're not suffering when you do it. And you take it one step further, even."
"I also let them live up to the age of 30, before I hit them. Give them the chance to have a happy life and whatnot." She twirled her hoof around as her eyes met the ceiling.
"Okay, that's better..." Thorne let out a relieved sigh and nuzzled her cheek, to which Hollow nuzzled her back.
"Mm..." She murred softly.
I turned to Odonata with a wry grin, to which he focused back on me. "Guessing you got through the shock factor of meeting aliens, huh?"
"Nope..." He shook his head. "I'm still trying to process that."
The group chuckled as the inside of his mouth clicked repeatedly again.
"Sooo..." Thorne looked over at me. "Wanna tell us about your horn?"
"Yeah, I've been a bit curious about that, too." Hollow filled in.
"Me three." Aura beamed.
With a grin, the shards of my horn shot out from the pillar of light, orbiting it slowly as the high-voltage tendrils danced along the walls, holding them close.
Everyone stared in awe at my upgrade until I sealed it back up again. Even Hollow seemed shocked! That meant something!
"I don't think I'm able to do anything like teleportation or telekinesis or anything like that. But I seem to be proficient in lightning magic, at least."
"Dude..." Aura muttered, before a wide grin stretched across her face from ear to ear. "I'm fucking jealous!"
Hollow sighed and shook her head. "Sorry to cut it short, but it's time, everyone. We gotta get to the factory." She then added under her breath. "I wish we had more time..."
"We will." I stated, resting my hoof on her shoulder as I smiled at her. "We can come back here once I'm done."
"Hell yeah!" Aura shouted ecstatically. "The night's young, and there's a lot of catching up to do!"


(((((((◉)))))))


I caught sight of a variety of raptors and vertibucks on the way to the factory that was packed with a variety of different races. Unicorns, earth ponies, pegasi, zebra, griffins, and changelings, though there were very few.
I also took notice in the black and red Big Boy locomotive that carried three spare cars in tow, one of which was the turret I helped restore back in the NCR depot. The car behind that looked like a tarmac, while the one before it was more of an armored sleeping cabin than anything else.
Well... that made me weak in the loins...
It was short lived, though. One of the main figures that caught my eye was Titan, who stood in the parking lot, looking back at me.
Along the way, I saw a lot of familiar faces.
Rails, Firefly - who was still looking as fine as ever - Whiskey River, Omegas, Rivet, Oku... the list went on. Nearly everyone I met in my time out in the wasteland was here. As I passed by them, they acknowledged me with either a shake of my hoof, a hug, kiss on the cheek, or a simple nod and smile.
Even the caravan we stumbled upon when we were traveling east was here!
It came as a surprise to me when I saw Rust standing beside my arch nemesis, Titan, as well as the E.S. Cerberus anchored in the distance. Nauticus and his crew were here as well, though with as large as this community was, it was like trying to find a needle in a hay stack.
I stepped out into an opening, surrounded by friends, allies, and former enemies. I regarded everyone as they stared silently, waiting for my voice to reach their ears.
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"DAMN IT, CHARGER!" Thorne screamed in the distance. "AGAIN!?"
"Relatable!" Bullet called out.
I looked back at the crowd to find everyone had backed up a bit, disturbed as some murmurs came from them.
Aura was roaring with laughter somewhere out there. "It's even funnier the second time around!"
I glanced over my shoulder to find Bristle looked completely baffled.
Turning back to the crowd with a sheepish grin, I finally spoke. "Sorry about that. I'm still recovering from death. Had to get it out of my system."
"Do you feel better?" Tuner asked.
I shook my head, grinning. "Nope! But I got everyone's attention now, at least." I regarded the mixed audience. Oh, shit! Sweet! There were even bat ponies in there!
Steel Rangers, Enclave, Fester's raiders, NCR, creatures looking to survive...
This was good...
"Is everyone accounted for?" I asked in a normal voice, glancing over my shoulder at Bristle.
"This is everyone." Titan replied back in the same volume, which caught me entirely off guard that he wasn't screaming or hurting anyone.
"What's the wormhole?" Someone asked from the crowd. "What's in there?"
"How bad is it out there?" Another asked.
"Are there any survivors?"
Questions began to overlap each other in a flurry of confusion and fear. I could smell sickness in the air...
"Everyone!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, cutting them off. I exhaled, closing my eyes as they were silenced. "I know you're all scared, but please." I opened them again, smiling with sincerity. "We will get through this."
A sudden gust of wind blew against my side as something fell next to me. I spun my head around to be greeted with a special moth about half my size.
He looked up at me, tilting his head as his wings buzzed.
"Blacklight!" Happiness raced through my heart as his bright, glowing eyes met mine. I ran my hoof through his fur as his fangs moved up and down, as if he were stretching them after a long nap.
Odd... he had a similar scent to Eight...
Did Nekkra forms just naturally smell good or something?
He flew up and landed on my back, before nuzzling my head from behind. His legs wrapped around my barrel, clinging tight. His body was incredibly warm, and his affection told me just how much he missed me.
"How are we going to destroy the portal?" Bristle asked aloud.
"We're not." I replied simply, which earned a lot of confused faces and murmurs of uncertainty. "The portal and what lies within is not the threat. On the contrary, actually."
"And what's inside?" Omegas asked.
Gah, I forgot ghouls sounded like that! Blegh!
I turned to him and took a deep breath. "The original Nekkra..."
"So a threat bigger than all of us combined!" Someone else blurted. A changeling, judging by the distinct nasally voice they often carried in their true form. "Contrary my ass!"
"Let him speak." Titan hissed impatiently. "We have a lead now, fucking listen to what he's saying."
Sighing, I turned back to him and gave him a nod. "Thank you, Tit... an..."
Immediately after saying that, my body became repulsed with the slip of my tongue. 'Thank you' and 'Titan' didn't sit right in the same sentence.
"I don't know how I feel about that..." Titan replied.
"Yeah, me neither..." I shook my head and spat. "That just felt wrong..."
"Glad we're in agreement, then."
I glanced back up at him, my face contorted with disgust. "Next time I thank you, crush my spine."
"With pleasure." There was a hint of enjoyment with the way he said that. Typical...
I turned back to the crowd. Titan was something I'd worry about later tonight. Not right now.
"The vortex is not evil. I spoke with the single mind in there, and he wants the Nekkra dead as much as the lot of us, if not more so. And let me just say that the feeling is mutual. The Nekkra didn't open that portal as a means of conquest. They opened it because they're trying to kill him. He's an obstacle in their plans, as they are to him."
"But..." Bullet shook her head as she approached, keeping her eyes locked on mine as her brow knit. "That doesn't make any sense. The portal is open. They can go in at any time, if what you're saying is true. So why haven't any done so?"
"If you saw what Nekkra Death was capable of doing, you wouldn't be asking that question." I stated with a grave look. "My best guess is they're trying to build the biggest army they can against him. Which means taking over this entire planet... Hell, this entire universe."
"And what happened to your leg?" Bristle asked. "Did this... Nekkra Death thing do that?"
I hung my head down, realizing what was happening here. "Y-yes... but I had it coming. He only took it away because I tried electrocuting him."
"I've seen you parasites..." Bristle hissed. "Always regenerating lost limbs. So why haven't you, huh? Who are you trying to fool?"
I rolled my eyes, ready to turn on him. It was already taking all my patience to have him standing behind me, let alone in my presence.
Bullet put a hoof on my shoulder, looking me dead in the eye as Blacklight lifted their upper body up, holding the back of my head with his legs and nuzzling my ear tenderly. Her voice spoke gently in my mind.
"Don't react to it... He's trying to hit your core again. Breathe, Charger..."
I nodded and closed my eyes, letting out a deep exhale. Finally, I spoke.
"I don't think I'm capable of restoring my leg. I don't have any feeling in it anymore." I opened my eyes, looking down at where it should have been. "Back when I got ripped in half, I was still able to feel both halves of me, and I was able to pull myself back together, eventually. But my leg...? There's nothing. It's dead."
"Just like mommy." Bristle remarked with a sickening grin. I grit my teeth as I spun my head away from him, glaring ahead.
"What was her name again?" He continued. "Oh, yeah. I think it was..."
He suddenly let out a muffled, pained scream. I spun back to him to find he was releasing a tortured cry behind a forehoof, before bursting into laughter. It was then that I heard my hoof roar with thunder in the distance.
"A name you and your marefriend both seemed to share as well." He added.
"You..."
"Charger, wait..." Bullet wrapped her arms around me tight.
"SICK..."
"Charger-"
"MOTHERFUCKER!"
I spun my body around to face him completely, throwing Bullet to the side. My horn popped open, and lightning coursed through me.
Blacklight jumped off my form and flew elsewhere almost immediately.
"Motherfucker is right." He continued to grin.
"Br-Bristle, stop!" Bullet winced as she scrambled to her hooves, running between us. I soon realized there was some glass in her hide... "We need to work together! But if you can't stop being like that, then you're out! You should be thankful we even took you in after everything you've done!"
"Bullet. Move." I hissed. "This has been a long fucking time coming."
"Charger, no!" Bullet backed up into me, still facing Bristle. "Please, calm down."
Tears obscured my vision before I turned back to the audience. My voice shook from the anger and pain inside me. My legs trembled under my weight as my lips quivered.
I could feel the rangers inside me... taking turns... Like it was happening all over again...
I closed my eyes as I regained my composure, lifting my head up to the sky.
The cold gusts blew past me; the taste of salt in the ocean's breath.
I cast my eyes on the audience once more.
"A-all of us have something the Nekkra d-don't. Despite..." I swallowed the saliva building up in my mouth as my body screamed for me to run and hide. "Despite our d-differences scattered along the grains of time in our history, we are all here now. A-as one. Working tog-together when past rivalries say we shouldn't. You're all... You're all incredibly strong. You're here. Y-you've put aside your differences. You've all taken the first step for something greater. Together..." My horn finally shrunk back in as I took a deep breath. "Time and time again, we have earned our mark on this world. Even after the bombs fell, we still prevailed. We came out on top! All of us!" I stomped a forehoof down against the pavement as a grin of confidence grew on not only my face, but many others in the crowd, as well as some nods of agreement. "We have earned our mark on this world! Together!"
I looked up at the violated moon overhead. "The Nekkra have not! But that up there?" I glared at the mark's neverending red glow. "They burnt that into our home! Our moon! So it's ours now! Let that be ours! Together, we will be the definition of fear to our enemies, and the mark on our moon will be a constant reminder of it!"
"Yeah!" A lot of the crowd roared.
"If Hell is an idea, then let us be a reality to our foes!"
"YEAH!" More joined in. Hooves and claws began stomping the earth repeatedly in applause.
A determined smile curled further on my lips as I looked back down at the audience. Tears continued to obscure my sight, but I was channeling my pain into something else. Something better.
Unity.
"We will take back our home and fight alongside each other! As friends! As brothers, as sisters! As allies! We are one and the same, and we all share the family name called 'Equus!' Let them bear witness to our reign!"
My name was repeated over and over as a chant. It grew in volume and number with each passing second, and before too long, nearly the entire community was screaming it.
I looked over my shoulder, grinning with half-lidded eyes as I witnessed Bristle look around nervously at the beginning of something beautiful. His eyes locked on mine for a moment, before he huffed and stormed away, toward the other side of the building.
Glancing up at Titan, I caught him giving me a single nod.
That... was unexpected of him.
Bullet rested a hoof on the back of my neck, and as I turned to face her, she moved in, holding me in a gentle embrace.
"Welcome home, Charger." She spoke softly in my ear. "You're exactly what we needed..."
I nuzzled her in appreciation, before pulling away with a pleased smile curled on my lips as I stared deep into her eye as she did me.
"Are you okay?" I asked. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
She chuckled. "I've had worse. Don't fret, man." She softly bapped my nose as she scrunched her own.
I nodded and chuckled weakly, to which she let go, backing up to the side. As the crowd continued to chant my name and roar with excitement, I limped forward.
The mass before me began to split apart, granting me further access.
Hooves, claws, and wings patted me on the back as I traversed through; the looks of a new found respect meeting me wherever I turned.
I was certain there were some in the group that still held resentment toward me, but not enough to be much of a problem.
Upon reaching the end of the mob, as they continued to cheer me on, I was greeted with the familiar haunted gaze of Sunrise. I stopped before her, and almost immediately following my action, it looked like she was getting ready to run.
I calmly reached my hoof out, smiling wanly as I tried to maintain my balance.
"Walk with me?" I asked through the roar of the crowd behind me.
She opened her mouth to speak, but I wasn't sure if anything came out. It was too hard to tell with all the noise.
As her mouth closed again, she nodded hesitantly, shaking my hoof.
I began our journey heading towards the cliffside. She followed behind me for less than a minute, before I glanced back at her. Her head was hung down, but soon after I checked on her, she lifted it to meet my gaze. I signaled her up further with a nod and a caring smile.
Even with her beside me, she was still really quiet. Not a word came from either of us as we moved at a steady pace. I knew she had a lot to say. I took notice in her mouth opening and closing every so often, but her words were caught in her throat.
With the cheers of the community gradually softening with the distance we were putting on them, the crashing waves of the ocean made up for.
I plopped my flank down on the grass as we both looked out at the stationary spot lights that painted the dark skies in shades of white to grey to black, in vertical and diagonal columns all along the various towers of Stable 14. Far off to our right, relatively close to the cliff, was the behemoth of a naval battleship, the E.S. Cerberus. She had a light show of her very own.
I sighed with relief as the cold salty winds flowed through my mane.
After a moment, I glanced over at Sun, smiling tenderly as she stood there awkwardly.
"Sit. Please."
Staring for a long, quiet moment, she eventually took a spot next to me.
"Do you..." She spoke finally, though came to another pause as she bit her lip, pawing a hoof at the ground as she hung her head down again. "Do you know who I am...?"
I nodded slowly, turning back to the ocean.
"I saw some things when I was in the vortex. And I know what thoughts you must be thinking about yourself..."
A silence hung between us again. I focused intently on the waves as they relentlessly smashed against the rocks below.
Then, quite suddenly, she gasped.
I looked over to find tears flowing from her, rolling down her cheeks and splashing against the grass and soil at her hooves.
"Charger, I'm so sorry!" She blurted. "It was never my intention for them to-" She couldn't bear to finish the sentence, and she closed her eyes and grit her teeth as the anger and frustration of her actions from long ago were finally coming out, after over 25 years...
There was a whiff of heat beaming off her. Like a smoldering fire was reignited in a forest, eager to destroy everything else it had yet to reach.
"It's my fault! I'm a monster!"
"Sunrise..." I wrapped a hoof around her shoulder. For a split second, she recoiled, resulting in me taking my arm away. But after a moment, she leaned her head on my shoulder, holding me tight.
"I'm so sorry for what I did. It ate away at me every day. I wanted to tell you the truth so bad, but Bristle wouldn't let me! I know it's no excuse for what I did, and I don't expect any forgiveness, but I just need you to know that-"
I put a hoof to her lips as she whimpered behind her tears.
"Shh..." I whispered, kissing the top of her head. "It's okay, Sun... I forgive you..."
She tensed up before looking up at me. "J-just... like that...?"
I nodded. "We all made mistakes, Sunrise. We've paid the heavy price for those mistakes. We still are..." I looked away, back to the towers of the Stable in the distance. "You've lived with the guilt every day, for over 25 years. Haven't you suffered enough?"
"I..." Her voice caught in her throat for a moment as she leaned into me again, sobbing. "I don't know, Charger... I deserve to go to Hell for what I did... I don't deserve your kindness. Your forgiveness..."
I cracked a smile as I hugged her a little tighter. "Well, too bad. Cause I'm not like everyone else."
She let out a snot-filled giggle behind her tears, before sniffling and wiping her eyes and nose. "Y-you're so much like your mother..."
I chuckled dryly and nodded. "I guess so, huh?"
"Very much so..." She whispered, leaning into me a bit more and nuzzling into my neck. "I miss her..."
That smile on me dissolved into remorse as I looked up at the starry night.
"I do too..." I wrapped a hoof around her shoulder again, and took comfort in that she didn't pull away this time. I tapped her shoulder with my fore. "Hey..."
She looked up at me curiously. "H-hm...?"
"Look up there." I pointed a free hoof at the field of stars that hung above us. "Do you see it?"
She studied the skies for a long moment, before she finally answered. "S-see... what...?"
"Right there." I pointed at the brightest star that shined down on us. "Look carefully."
She continued to study that specific star for a while longer.
I smiled wanly as I lowered my hoof. "Solar Shadow is up there. Smiling down at us right now. Everyone we ever loved and cared about is up there, dancing and loving and singing in the purest land we could ever dream of." I kept my eyes fixated on the twinkling starlight. "Solar Shadow, Voltage Striker, Snow Star..."
"Y-yeah..." She whispered. "I think I see it..."
My smile widened. "There's a place up there for us, Sunrise. For you, and for me. Someday."
She continued to gaze up at the star silently, before eventually closing her eyes and taking in a deep lungful of air. "Thank you, Charger..."
A slow pace of heavy thuds gently rocked the earth. I glanced over my shoulder for a moment to find Titan approaching, though he was a lot slower than usual.
I needed to talk to him, but not now...
Please, not now...
I sighed with exasperation and turned back to Sunrise. "I'm going to my daughter's bar after I'm done with Titan. Will I see you there?"
She nodded and straightened herself out, clearing her throat as she stood up. "Of course. I could probably use a drink after tonight, anyways."
"My sentiments exactly." I replied before we exchanged a soft smile.
She departed, and Titan stood on the other side of me mere seconds after.
"Quite the speech." He said softly, which still came as a surprise to me.
"Mhm..." I mumbled, looking out at the towers far away.
"Did you mean what you said back there?"
I sighed and hung my head down. "Crimson..."
"My name is not-"
"Fine, whatever. Titan." I blurted as I looked up at him. "I forgive you."
Ugh... that hurt to say.
He looked down at me as I got up and started to limp away. I didn't want to be there any longer than I had to be. He was still a piece of shit, and a big part of me still hated his guts. Wanted that fucker dead.
But somehow, somewhere... somewhere deep inside of me, was room for forgiveness.
"After everything I've done to you. Your mother, your... father..." I froze in my tracks, staring straight ahead as he continued. "To everyone else... Why?"
There it was.
The why...
Something I was even asking myself. Why?
Why did I forgive him? He didn't deserve it! He was a fucking monster!
So why!? WHY THE FUCK DID I FIND IT WITHIN MYSELF TO FORGIVE SOMEONE LIKE HIM!?
I absolutely HATED that I was doing this! He deserved to die, and worse!
I shuddered under my breath and closed my eyes, trying to gather my thoughts.
Why...?
That question kept repeating itself in my head. Spreading in every corner of my brain like a God damn parasite.
Why?
WHY?
I opened my eyes again as tears slid down my cheeks. I lifted my head to the stars and exhaled deeply.
"That's a good question, Titan..." I finally replied with a shaky voice, broken and beaten down into submission by my tears, like he had done to me many times as I grew. "I'm having trouble answering that question myself, because stars know you don't deserve it. Forgiveness is something that's earned, not given freely. However..." I paused as I turned to face the giant. "I'm not like the majority."
"This isn't that 'forgive others, not because they deserve it, but because you deserve peace' crap, is it?"
I let out a pained chuckle and shook my head. "Stars, no. You know I don't believe that bullshit."
"At least we can agree on that..."
"I think I'm forgiving you primarily for yourself." I looked up at him again as we stood at a distance from each other. "Ponies can change for the better. But they need to be given the chance first. Someponies gotta take the first step. If not me, then who?"
Titan stood in silence for I don't know how long, before he cocked his head.
"You might have hung around Virtue for too long. I think their ideas on forgiveness infested your mind."
I chuckled under my breath. "No, I think it's a bigger influence than that..." I glanced back up at the brightest star in the night sky for a moment, before turning away and continuing onward.
"Charger." Titan spoke quickly, as to get my attention again.
I stopped and looked over my shoulder to find he hadn't moved an inch.
"We're not friends. Maybe in another life, but not this one. There may come a time where one of us will wind up dead by the other. But I just want you to know... I hold a new found respect towards you. I... don't say that lightly. I wasn't seeking your forgiveness."
I nodded faintly as I wiped the tears from my face. "I know... Goodnight, Titan."
"Goodnight... Charger..."


(((((((◉)))))))


As I made my way to Aura's bar, I caught Thunderwing stumbling along the empty road. There were cheers of joy and laughter in the distance, but here, it was quiet. Dead.
My heart may have been beating again, but I still felt the same.
Dead...
"Thunder." I called out, to which she turned to me with huge bags under her eyes.
"C-Charger..." She started to approach. "Just who I was looking for..."
"What's wrong? How are you feeling?"
Did I even need to ask that?
She scoffed and pulled a pack of cigs from her saddle bags using her wings, along with a zippo. She popped the butt end of a cancer stick in her mouth and lit up.
"Ya want one?" She asked as she blew out a torrent of smoke after a moment of inhaling.
"Stars, yes..." I replied as I pulled one out and let it hang between my lips. She lit me up before putting her pack and lighter away.
"Thanks, Thunder." I replied as I blew out my own torrent. "So, you were looking for me?"
"Yeah, look..." She sighed as she hung her head down, rubbing the back of her neck. Her wing moved around and removed the cigarette from her lips. "I've been thinking, and... fuck, if there's a chance I can survive this virus, I'm taking it." She looked up into my eyes with plea. "I want you to infect me. If there's even a chance..."
"Thunder..."
"Please. I don't like the idea of it, period. But I'm fucking scared, dude. I don't wanna die. I don't wanna leave... Destrier alone out here..." She averted her gaze for a moment. "Fuck, now you got me talking about my damn feelings..." She popped the cig back in her mouth, to which the smoldering end brightened.
I chuckled softly. "Guess it really is the end of the world, huh?"
She glared at me in response, to which I sighed.
"Alright, Thunder. I'll infect you... But... how do you wanna do this? Tentacles? A kiss?"
"You can infect with a kiss now?" She raised a brow.
I grinned. "I mean, I can try."
She deadpanned for a second, before shaking her head. "No tentacles. No kissing."
"Well how else do you wanna do it then?"
"I dunno!" She blurted, nearly losing her cig. She plucked it from her mouth and continued. "J-just... I dunno, let me drink your blood or something!"
"Drink my blood?" Now it was my turn for the deadpan.
"I don't want you penetrating me with anything! Sorry, Charger. But I'm not interested in you like that. And tentacles freak me the hell out..."
"Fair." I shrugged. "Alright, then. Blood it is."
"And don't go surprising me with any tentacles!" She chided. "I mean it."
"Alright, alright!" I waved a hoof at her before rubbing the end of my cigarette against the dirt, causing it to go dark before I consumed it. She rolled her eyes.
"You're still doing that?"
"Mhm!" I nodded. "I stopped for a while, but I'm back on it now! Better than tentacles, right?" I grinned for a moment. "Er... Stable 32 tentacles, I mean. Nekkra Death's were kinda fun, honestly..."
Her jaw dropped as she stared in disbelief. "Really, Charger?"
"Whaaaaat?" I asked playfully. "They were nice to me! They offered sensual massages!"
She sighed as she put a hoof over her face.
"Alright, get ready..." I said as I lifted my arm to my fangs. I sank my teeth in deep, wincing as they pierced into me.
As I pulled them back out, black dripped from my lips. I extended my arm to her, to which she stomped her cigarette out and scooted in close to me. Her side pressed lightly against the front of my body as she wrapped her wings around my arm and moved her head in. She took a moment to look at the black, inky wound I inflicted for her, before she closed her eyes and opened her mouth, pressing forward.
Her lips made contact with my hide as I felt her tongue lap at the blood, before sucking more out of me.
"T-Thunder, what-"
"I need to be sure..." She stated quickly, not breaking the contact. "If I have more of you, then the chance will increase, right...?"
"I... maybe?"
"Then I'm taking it..." With that, she continued to drink from my wound.
I wasn't gonna stop her.
It felt like minutes as she went at it, before she finally pulled away, gasping. Her lips, along with a wide range around my wound, was covered in black. She licked her lips and looked at me, panting in a daze.
"Thank you, Charger..."
She rushed in and held me close, to which I returned her gesture.
"I hope this works, Thunder..." I replied as I placed a kiss on her cheek. "I don't want you leaving either."
She returned the kiss and smiled softly as she pulled away. "I'm gonna... try and get some shut eye. Hopefully I'll feel better in the morning."
I nodded with a faint smile. "Sleep well, Thunder."
"Thank you, Charger." She stood up and calmly walked away, heading back to wherever it was she was staying.
I stood up and continued on.
As I approached Aura's bar, I heard music. Laughter. Joy.
Even in these trying times, as we neared the end of the world and faced extinction, everyone still found it within themselves to enjoy what very well could have been the last of their days.
Everyone was enjoying the company of each other.
Along the raptor, I caught sight of a small contingent of rangers, NCR, mercenaries, and Enclave having drinks together through friendly banter.
As I approached the entrance, the group took a glance at me. The pegasi and the rangers of the NCR all grinned and raised their drinks to the sky. The Steel Rangers, however, kept their eyes on the ground in what I perceived as shame.
I recognized a few of them, and there were no happy memories there.
Regardless, I smiled back and nodded to them before pressing through the door of the bar.
A song with a western outlaw beat mixed with the cheerful conversations and laughter of the occupants in the room.
Through the crowd, I caught Hollow, Thorne, and Aura in their initial spots, conversing with one another. Though Aura seemed rather busy serving drinks to the other customers, so she didn't get much of a break. It was nice to see Whiskey River was lending a helping hoof, at least.
Sunrise was at a separate table, sitting by herself in the corner of the grounded vehicle, looking down at the bottom of an empty glass.
I slowly navigated my way to the bar, and upon setting my forehoof down on the surface of the counter, Hollow and Thorne turned to me, one of them in a drunken stupor.
"Well, if it isn't-hic!-our savor, Churn Surger!" Thorne slurred as she wobbled in her seat. "Hats off ta yoo fer speakin' some fu-hic!-in' sense to everyun!" She swiped a hoof along the top of her head, then looked around for a moment, before she rested her head on the counter. "Bl-hic!-y 'ell, I'm drunker than a sale... I never dun had no hat..."
Hollow chuckled softly as she swayed a little bit. She seemed a bit inebriated herself, though she was controlling it a lot better than the former.
"Congratulations, Charger. This is a huge step in the right direction."
I nodded back, smiling faintly. "Thank you." I hugged her close for a moment, before backing up. "I'm gonna be with someone else for the majority of the night."
She nodded. "From what I saw, she could use the company. Especially from you."
I chuckled under my breath as I turned to Aura. Damn psychics...
"Hey, Aura!" I called out.
"Yeah!" She spun to me.
"Can I get two Screwdrivers?"
With a grin, she nodded. "Two Screwdrivers, coming right up!"
She hastily got to work, and in less than ten seconds, two screwdrivers were dropped in front of me.
The tool...
I put a hoof over my eyes, trying to refrain from laughing. She might not have had any blood relation to me, but she sure had my sense of humor.
"I meant the drink, pumpkin!"
Two bottles were set between us via the red aura of her magic, and the two tools were fit inside each through the necks of the glass compartments.
I deadpanned at her for a moment, my ears flat against my head as she pointed a hoof at both of them, grinning ecstatically.
"Eh? Ehhhhhhhhhh?"
I couldn't keep it in anymore after that. My disapproving stare quickly broke down into a smirk, before I burst into laughter, to which she joined me. Hollow was chuckling a bit too. Whiskey as well!
Once we had both calmed down at least enough to speak, Aura levitated a bottle of Dead Horse vodka and orange juice, along with two empty glasses.
"Here ya go, daddy!" She said happily as she mixed the two beverages in each glass.
"Thanks, baby girl." I replied as I went to reach for both. I quickly came to a pause when I remembered I didn't have a proper balance anymore. "Uh..." I looked down at the two beverages for a second.
"Here, let me." Whiskey River trotted around to my side of the bar as the drinks were soon enveloped with her magic. "Where you sitting?" She smiled tenderly.
I smiled back. "Right this way."
We navigated through the crowd and ended our short lived journey at the table that Sunrise occupied. She took notice in me as I approached, and a smile - though there was pain it - crept on her lips.
In the little time Whiskey and I walked beside each other, I noticed she seemed a lot more satisfied. She seemed happier.
I guessed she was finally given a job better than serving drinks. She was finally doing what she was promised. It was nice of her to go out of her way to help my daughter.
She set the glasses down before both of us and put a hoof on my shoulder as I sat down. "I'll check back in in about fifteen minutes for refills."
I put my hoof over hers for a moment, smiling up at her. "Thanks, Whiskey."
"Mhm!" Her smile widened. "My pleasure!"
And with that, she trotted away.
"You really changed the mood of a lot of pon... er, creatures here." Sunrise stated.
"I'm a charmer." I replied with a cheeky grin and a shrug, just before I lifted my drink.
Her smile faltered for a brief second. I think my fangs threw her off.
"To new beginnings." I said, reaching my glass out across the table.
She lifted her glass to mine, and they clinked on contact.
"To new beginnings."
We both took in a small portion of our tangy beverages before setting them back down.
She smiled wanly at me, before reaching out a forehoof. I gently ran mine over hers as our eyes locked.
"There's so much I wish I could have done differently..."
"I know, Sunrise..." I said softly as I lifted her hoof to my lips. I placed a tender kiss on it, and I got a whiff of a heavy rain from her. I closed my eyes, taking it in. "We have each other now, though." Finally, I let go of her hoof and opened my eyes again.
"Thank you, Charger..."
Suddenly, as an upbeat, cheerful tune began to fill the room, a whole new memory swept into my mind. As if I had known this song already.
Hollow's voice soon filled my head.
"Sing. Loud and proud. We all need something good to look back on. It may be the last time we get something good..."
Heh... didn't have to ask me twice.
I regarded Sunrise with a caring smile as I started, bobbing my head to the beat.

I heard them calling in the distance
So I packed my things and ran

Sunrise raised a brow to me as I stood up, feeling the energy pick up within.

Far away from all the trouble
I had caused with my two hooves
Alone we traveled armed with nothing but a shadow
We fled far away

I looked to my left as Hollow stepped up, smiling at me as we took turns with the chorus, giving me and Scope every second line, who came up on her other side, smiling right back. We turned to face the crowd to find we were already turning some heads.

Hold your horses noooooow
Sleep until the sun goes down
Through the woods we raaaaaaan
Deep into the mountain sound
Hold your horses noooooow
Sleep until the sun goes down
Through the woods we raaaaaaaaaaaaan!

The three of us sung the last word together in unison as Scope and I leaned against her.
Scope took the next part of the song as I waved Sunrise over.

Some had scars and some had scratches
It made me wonder about their paaast
And as I looked around, I began to notice
That we were nothing like the reeeeest

A lot of the mares in the room - including Sunrise, who was now with us - sung along with Hollow, while the majority of males took the second line with Scope and I.

Hold your horses noooooow
Sleep until the sun goes down
Through the woods we raaaaaaan
Deep into the mountain sound
Hold your horses noooooow
Sleep until the sun goes down
Through the woods we raaaaaaaaaaaaan!

Everyone sung the last word with glee, together as old rivalries danced together happily. We all sung in unison, filling the room with a golden harmony.

Whooooooooooooa!
We sleep until the sun goes down
Whooooooooooooooooa!
We sleep until the sun goes down

The song grew softer, and Scope and I nuzzled Hollow as our hooves met and locked around each other at her back.
My eyes remained half-lidded as a euphoric smile spread on my face.
Scope and I gazed into each other's eyes, our muzzles inches from meeting.
The three of us sung softer with the music, and the room joined us with their own partner.

Ahhhhhh!
We sleep until the sun goes down

The music picked back up to its initial upbeat glory as we both turned back to the crowd.
All the mares and female creatures took every first line as one again, while all the males took each second one once more, dancing in the infectious bliss that was carried through each and every one of us; singing from the bottom of our hearts.

Hold your horses noooooow
Sleep until the sun goes down
Through the woods we raaaaaaan
Deep into the mountain sound
Hold your horses noooooow
Sleep until the sun goes down
Through the woods we raaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

Our exhilarated voices were loud with pride, raising the roof and reaching the heavens.

Hold your horses noooooow
Sleep until the sun goes down
Through the woods we raaaaaaan
Deep into the mountain sound
Hold your horses noooooow
Sleep until the sun goes down
Through the woods we raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

Sunrise leaned against me as the four of us huddled up, much like the various groups in the crowd.

La la la! Whooooooooooooa! La la la!
We sleep until the sun goes down
La la la! Whoooooooooooooooa! La la la!
We sleep until the sun goes...
> Channel 003.3; A Full Moon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ideals are strengthened by the challenges they endure.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I awoke with a gentle warmth enveloping me, both on the inside and the out. A light pressure pressed down on my chest, and my arm was wrapped around a small figure.
I cracked my eyes open and cast them down to find Aura was nestled into me, snoring softly as drool escaped her mouth, pooling onto my coat.
Loosened around her arm was a belt, and beside it were two depleted Med-x syringes.
That hurt to see...
I carefully removed the tourniquet from her arm and tossed the two syringes to a corner of the small bunker we appeared to be in.
I remembered it from Snow Star's memory orb. The ladder in the center that led up to a hatch was a dead giveaway. As was the couch that was pressed up against the wall.
The small cot was a new addition, though.
I studied the room once more, now that I was here personally. There was a lot more to see.
The various controls along the walls were another big hint to what exactly it was that I was in, as well as the wide, cylindrical alcove around the ladder, along the ceiling.
We were in a tank!
I attempted to slip my arm out from under her head carefully, but she groaned in protest, hugging it tight.
She cracked her eye open and shook her head, smacking her lips before frowning.
"No..." She whispered. "Don't leave me..."
I cracked a smile and lightly pressed my lips to the tip of her nose.
"I was gonna go look for a smoke."
She giggled under her breath, nestling into me further with the most endearing smile.
"Look no further, dad." She lifted her upper body over mine, reaching across my form and pointing at the small table on my other side.
Resting on its surface was a pack of cigs, a very used ashtray, and a zippo lighter of her very own.
I grabbed the pack first and handed it to her, to which she smiled wanly, looking down at me.
"Thanks, daddy." She swept in and placed a quick kiss on my cheek. "I'd use my horn, but it takes too much effort when I'm high." She giggled momentarily before adding. "I can barely feel a thing right now. Just the way I like it."
"Aura..." I sighed, running a hoof along her back as her words pierced through my heart with icy daggers, twisting and turning every direction. "I don't wanna sound like a hypocrite, but... I don't like that you're doing that kind of stuff..."
She scowled for a moment before popping the butt of a cig in her mouth. She tossed the pack back on the table, before crawling over my body and grabbing the zippo. She lit the end as she sat atop my stomach, took a long pull off it as she snapped the lighter shut, glared down at me, and finally blew a torrent of smoke down over my face.
"And what are you gonna do about it, huh?" She snapped. "You think I give two shits what happens to me? I inject that shit into my arm because it helps keep the nightmares out of my fucking head."
"Aura, I-"
"Shut the fuck up, I'm talking, asshole." She threw the lighter against the wall above me, screaming. "I'm-I'm tired of feeling him inside me!" Her voice shook as her chest rose and fell rapidly. Tears washed down half of her face as she grit her teeth, looking down at me. She pressed a forehoof down over my chest as a forest fire escaped her breath.
She leaned in close, not breaking eye contact for even a second.
"Every. Fucking. Night. I feel him, inside me. Taking what wasn't his to take. Des-t-troying me from the inside... The fucker is DEAD! I fucking killed him!" She roared, pressing into me harder, as if she sought to break through my ribs and reach my heart. "But his fucking ghost is still having his way with me, and I am so Goddess damned tired of feeling it!" She wailed as her body gave in. Her head fell, and her face pressed firmly into my collar bone. She lightly, yet rapidly swung her hoof down on my chest, shaking from the trauma she had gone through...
I felt like if she wasn't drugged, she would have been striking me harder.
"S-so don't you fu-fucking dare take away the one thing that helps me cope with the constant hell I'm pu-ut through..." She sobbed as she sat up a bit. She took a shaky, anxious pull off her cig, this time blowing away from me.
She looked up at me, whimpering under her panicked breath.
"Daddy..."
I didn't know what to say...
But I knew she needed my love.
I wrapped my arms around her, and she gave in to my embrace immediately.
"I'm so sorry, Aura..." I whispered in her ear.
"I-it's not fair..." She hissed.
"I know, baby..." I ran a caring hoof through her mane, petting her as she wept in my arms, shaking hysterically. "You're safe now... I won't let anyone hurt you ever again..."
She let out a choked giggle as she looked up at me. "I-I know that's a thing parents say to their kids a lot, but I know those aren't just words. I mean..." She burst into a mixture of tears and laughter. "T-that ranger at the soup line, holy hell, that was badass!"
I chuckled softly and booped her on the nose. She froze for a moment as she scrunched her face up, then resumed giggling again as she wiped her face clean of her tears with a hoof. More were shedding, but she was still laughing.
"Fuck me, I'm such a mess..."
"Then you're in good company, dear." I replied with a playful stick of my tongue. "Because I am too."
She burst into another fit of sobs and giggles, holding me tight.
"I love you so much, dad... I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"It's okay, baby." I placed a kiss atop her head. "Just... please be careful with the Med-x usage, okay? I really don't want you ODing."
"I will if you will..." She stated in a near whisper as she looked up at me cutely.
I nodded with a faint smile.
"Deal."
"Deal." She smiled back, wiping her nose, before taking another pull off the cigarette. She then put it in my mouth and kissed me on the nose, before laying at my side again. "Rest of it is yours." She said as she smiled brighter, looking up at me.
"Thanks, pumpkin."
I took a pull off it just as I heard the hatch door open.
Aura sighed as her eye rolled. "What have I said about knocking first!?" She shouted, before sniffling again soon after.
Several shadowy tendrils slid down from the entrance above, wrapping around the rungs of the ladder or sticking to the ceiling around the cylindrical opening. The hatch door soon slammed shut.
"Ah, silly filly..." A metallic, distorted voice responded, accompanied by the screaming whispers of the Nekkra tongue.
I was alarmed by another Nekkra being here that I didn't know personally, but Aura seemed calm. Annoyed, but calm.
As a mass of shredded power armor and shadow came down, the voice continued. "Rules are meant to be broken."
The Nekkra pulled itself into a pony form, sliding the various chunks of armor over its body. It looked like it may as well have been held together by duct tape with how unhinged and crooked everything looked.
The entity tilted his head to me.
"Naughty, naughty. You made Death cry, escaping his loving embrace." He took a glance at the pack of cigarettes, before looking back at Aura. "Who knew that the cure to father abandonment issues was having a pack of cigs that he said he'd get himself."
"We were having a moment, Wolfheart..." Aura muttered in a deadpan, to which he recoiled.
"Aura, dear." He sounded almost shocked. But somewhere in there, I could still hear a hint of amusement. "All for one, one for all. It's time to share."
"Who are you?" I asked, interrupting their conversation, to which he turned to me again.
"You mean, you don't remember me...?"
"Should I?" I raised a brow.
Aura sighed as she planted her hoof over her face. "Dad, meet Wolfheart... your son, apparently."
I sat up in near shock, regarding the shielded Nekkra form. "M-my son?"
He nodded as the lower half of his helmet split open, showing a grin consisting of rows of shadowed fangs.
"Not a name I would have chosen for myself, but Aura insisted."
He stepped up to her as she smiled up at him faintly.
"... And, I mean... how could I ever deny my little sister?" He ran a metal hoof along her cheek, to which she leaned against it, closing her eye in appreciation.
I noticed that he did well to keep the virus away from her.
He really cared about her...
That meant we had a mutual interest.
Her safety.
I reached a hoof out to him, smiling gently.
A tendril lunged out from his chest, wrapping firmly around my hoof as he shook it.
"How wonderful to finally meet you." He stated as he tightened his grip. "I was worried you didn't want me."
"W-where did I... nng..." I grit my teeth as he shook my limb harder. It felt like it was about to dislocate! "Where were you conceived?"
"In a sex dungeon, under a town of ash and rubble!" He answered cheerfully, for... some reason.
Aura giggled behind a hoof as he took his away from her.
"O-oh..." I felt a dark shade grow on my cheeks as I realized exactly what he was talking about.
He must have been one of the eggs that I pumped into the mare that was trying to eat my friends and I...
... Which meant there were much more out there somewhere, like him.
Perhaps hundreds more...
I had an army of tentacle offspring roaming the wasteland!
He finally let go of my sore hoof, to which it began to throb from the violent shake.
"It wasn't actually a sex dungeon..." I murmured, looking away as I withdrew my hoof, rubbing it carefully in attempts to soothe the pain.
His form twisted and distorted into a bundle of tentacles and metal before snaking along my chest and stomach, almost in a sensual manner.
He returned to his previous form on my other side, lying next to me, huddled up close. His armored head was perched atop a hoof as a tendril rubbed my chest in a circular motion. He looked down at me, inches from meeting my muzzle as the lower half of his helmet broke apart into a twisted grin once more.
Oddly enough, his scent was very similar to Eight's and Blacklight's.
"You were tied down to a wall, and then a table. You pumped yours eggs into a mare. It may have not been a sex dungeon at first, but you definitely turned it into one."
I turned my head to the ceiling with a sigh. "Right..."
"Aura, my dear." Wolfheart looked over at her. "Daddy and I have some business to tend to, so I'm gonna have to steal him away from you for a little bit. Would you be a doll and convince our dear Flukes to come out of the factory? I feel before too much longer that her isolation will begin having her speaking in grunts and flinging excrement at anyone she sees."
Aura's face contorted in distaste. "That's not a pretty image..."
"Indeed."
She nodded, cracking a smile. "I'll go check on her then. Just let me wake up a bit." With that, she sat up and stretched, groaning as her bones popped. "Ahh, fuck..." She collapsed back on the cot, grinning.
"Let's go!" Wolfheart said ecstatically as he lunged up from the cot in an instant, using a variety of tendrils to latch to the ceiling and crawl to the hatch.
As I got up, Aura sprawled out along the cot, murring softly.
Wolfheart looked back at her as he hung his head upside down.
"Wanna play Hide n' Seek later, little one?"
Her face lit up with excitement as she nodded. "Yes! I found the perfect hiding spot this time!"
He let out a hearty, yet distorted chuckle. "I'll see you then! Game on!" He opened the hatch door as I grabbed a rung of the ladder.
Looking up, I saw a variety of flashing lights on the other side, as if a rave was happening. But I didn't hear any music.
Wolfheart crawled into the steel room above, disappearing from my sight.
Just as I started to climb, Aura called out.
"Dad?"
I looked back as a nervous smile spread across her face. She continued.
"W-watch your step out there." She briefly lifted her eye up, before returning to me.
"Why?"
"You'll know..." She replied as she looked away in a blush.
Okayyyyy...
I continued my climb, and immediately poking my head out from the hatch entrance, club music roared to life, as if I had just been teleported to a rave.
The multicolored lights all around the tall ceiling flashed with the beat of the music in a seizure-inducing frenzy.
The room consisted of two hollowed out raptors, both of which were fused together, laying on their side.
Wolfheart bobbed to the beat of the music, before his head twisted completely around, defying a normal pony's spinal structure.
Faintly, through the music, I heard the occasional moan, some of which were muffled.
...
They built... a fucking... sex club...
It was the end of the world, and they decided to build a sex club!?
... I'd be lying if I told myself I didn't want in on this...
I climbed out from the hatch in the ground and closed it, before looking around at the scene.
Over where the bridge used to be was a stretch of steel wall that covered the entirely of both windows, and in the center, way up around mid-level of the room, basking in the raving spotlights that danced along its form, was the red, glowing Nekkra symbol. It too, like many of the lights in the club, reacted to the music's enticing beat; pulsing with it.
I found myself grinning as I bobbed my head to the beat. I could very easily get behind this!
"Hell yeah, baby!" Wolfheart hollered as his body twisted and contorted through itself to face me directly, as if he just walked through his own body. "Now we're talkin'!" He laughed as he started to get into the groove, dancing more noticeably to the music.
I laughed as he danced around my form, twisting his physique in ways no one else could.
His body rubbed against mine in a playful manner.
As he moved to my rear, two tendrils slapped my flank firmly, before tracing around my cutiemark sensually.
I gasped as I looked back at him, to which he grinned, breaking up into a bundle of tentacles, which soon danced along my crotch, stomach, sides, back and chest, before he reformed in front of me.
"W-why did you do that?" I snapped as an excitement grew inside me. An unnecessary excitement...
He laughed as one of his tentacles wrapped around the back of my neck, pulling me close.
"Why are you complaining?" His cold breath hit my lips. "You fucked your sister."
"You're my son!" I blurted, pulling away. "That's different!"
He shrugged. "Is it, though? Besides... I'm a very sexual creature. Many Nekkra are, daddy. You're no exception." He flicked the steel studded tendril that resembled his tail upward. "Nekkra can mate with their offspring without consequence. We aim to grow in numbers. We're built to be able to do such things. When they come of age, of course. Which, considering our growth rate, takes maybe a week, at most. At this point, I'm older than you."
With that, he spun around, dragging his rear hoof along the ground in the process as he looked back at me, twisting his neck again. As his tail traced along my lips, he spoke again.
"My offer stands, daddy. I would gladly carry your eggs."
Before I could process it, he was trotting across the club, to a staircase on the other end of the room.
I sighed and shook my head, following in his hoofsteps.
Along the way, I noticed several other ponies, a lot of which were either bound by black webbing or glued to the walls or ceiling of the same material. There were a few that were on the ground floor.
All of them, however, had Nekkra forms relentlessly pumping into them in any, if not all of the available sweet spots. They were fully aware of what was happening, but it was like they... wanted it.
This wasn't just a sex club... it was a means to breed more Nekkra forms...
But... I guess it was consensual, at least...?
I made my way up the stairs, and as I poked my head out to the next floor, the music abruptly stopped.
I looked back, but the lights kept flashing.
"Hollow put a noise suppression field in my club..." Wolfheart stated in distaste as he waved a hoof around in a circular motion. "There were a lot of noise complaints..." He put his hoof back down as the steel covering his face pulled away, revealing his grin once more; this time accompanied with two white, glowing, fiery eyes trapped in darkness. "And I'm not just talking about the music." He winked, before covering his face again.
"Your club?" I raised a skeptical brow as I looked around at Aura's bar.
He nodded happily. "Mhm! You're looking at the full owner of Love Strain, the one and only Nekkra sex club in the world. 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed." A panel of flooring sealed up over the staircase as he made his way to the exit. I walked beside him.
"Aura and I have something of a business agreement. She loves drugs and alcohol, I love sex and cum. Some creatures love all of the above at the same time, so the two establishments being neighbors is more than convenient for everyone."
We pushed through the doors of the empty bar and stepped out into the cold morning air.
"Tell me how that works." I spoke finally. "Your club, I mean. It's obvious you're infecting your customers. They want that?"
He nodded. "Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing it. I have all your memories. All your feelings. Your morals." We continued walking through the eerily quiet town of Dead Sector. Everyone must have been sleeping off all the partying of last night.
"I'm fully against non-consensual activities in regards to sex and assimilation, as are you. In addition, I give newcomers to Love Strain a free session. Which results in them getting assimilated. But I make sure they're fully aware of what they're getting into. It's entirely up to them whether they want to leave or not. Everything after the first session requires payment."
"And have any backed away from your offer?"
He shook his head. "To my surprise, no. I might not get many new customers, but we've been getting more than plenty of return visits. They clearly love our special treatment. And how could they not?" He purred under his voice. "We seek to give our lovely customers the best of the best. After all, they're giving us a whole trip into paradise as well."
Huh...
I kinda admired that. It was respectful.
I thought back on what Nekkra Death told me. How the virus was manifested by his wrath, and how they were stuck with that rage.
But from what I was hearing, these Nekkra were very sexual, playful, and loving.
Did they get that from me?
Did they carry my love and playful nature?
"Wolfheart, you said something about having all my thoughts and feelings."
"Mhm." He nodded as his tail wrapped around mine.
"Are you... stuck with that mindset?"
"Nope! Your mindset is just the default we're born with. It's up to us to choose how we proceed from there. Build on it, so to speak." He leaned into me, nuzzling my neck gently, before warping to my other side, wisping tightly around my body. He looked back at me soon after.
"I, for one, love your mentality. It holds great strength. I want to live by your example."
That was... flattering, for lack of a better term. It gave me an idea that I was on the right track to being a good pony.
I smiled at that. Blushed a little, even.
"So is there a significance to your name?" I asked, looking back at him, to which he did the same.
"Two reasons." He started as the steel plating around his chest broke away, leaving it bare. "One, I'm loyal. Like a wolf to family. Secondly - and the more obvious reason - is this."
At once, a black, shadowy mass lunged out from his chest, before taking the form of a wolf near the same size as us.
He looked back at us in a calm manner behind the same white, fiery glow that Wolfheart carried in his eyes.
Between the shadow wolf's eyes was the Nekkra mark, glowing red.
"I have two souls in this body." Wolfheart stated. "Mine and poochy here. We've been working together."
The wolf sighed and shook his head. "Not by choice." He stated in a deep growl as he walked alongside us. "If I had known what was going to happen, I wouldn't have tried eating you, Heart." He snarled at him, who stuck his tongue out playfully as his helmet dispersed for a moment.
It was then that I realized that the wolf's mouth didn't move when he spoke. Instead, the light of the Nekkra mark grew brighter every time he spoke, and dimmed when he went quiet.
"I'm gonna go ride a dryer." Heart said as he started to trot away. "Go take the tripod to the counsel, Wolf."
He nodded before turning to me.
Tripod... w-wait, they were referring to me! Hey!
I glared at Heart, who simply grinned as he hastily crawled away on over a dozen tentacles, keeping his head facing me all the while, until I couldn't see him anymore.
Gah, what the hell!? That was creepy! Stuff of nightmares!
"Get on my back. I can get us there faster."
I did as Wolf said, and as I gripped my arms around his neck, he charged through Dead Sector, heading for the two story house in the distance.


(((((((◉)))))))


The ride was very short lived, taking less than a minute. But all the same, the speed was exhilarating.
When we arrived, I slid off Wolf's back as he pushed the front door open and trotted in. I followed close behind. We made our way into the kitchen, and from there, the dining room, which held a rather large group around the table.
As I stepped in, Bristle was ranting and raving abruptly. Hollow must have put another noise suppression field in here. Smart.
I walked in mid-sentence about unicorn treatment, which resulted in an eye roll from me and many others.
With his back turned to me, along with the two rangers that accompanied him, I stepped in from behind, wrapping an arm around him and taking in his scent in a deep inhale, closing my eyes to the aroma filling my nostrils.
He started to recoil, but I squeezed him close to me.
"What the fuck, get off me, you freak!" He blurted, trying to pull away.
"Just as I thought." I spoke in a soft tone, my muzzle still pressed into his neck. "You're salty."
"Shove off, horn head!" He hissed, never giving in for even a second.
Finally, I let go, to which he backed away from me, glaring. I kicked his chair away and stood where he once resided.
"Get out of my spot, you little shit." He sneered.
"The end of the table isn't for the likes of you." I stated as Wolf pulled Chair from his chest and reached it out to me. I unfolded it, set it down where the former once was and sat down. I wasn't too surprised that Chair was with Wolf or Heart. Hopefully that was all they pulled from my saddle bags.
With a sharp grin, I continued, realizing now that his rangers were frozen in place by Bullet's magic. "Know your place. I need Titan and the rangers. I don't need you. You are less than a pawn. You are nothing."
Bristle started to step forward, looking like he was about ready to beat me to a bloody pulp.
Wolf stepped between us, growling violently.
"I'd back off if I were you. Lest you forget, you serve him now. You're in his land."
Bristle paused for a moment, looking from Wolf to me.
My smile widened at his defeat. He knew he was losing.
"From here on out, you're going to listen to me. For as long as you're stuck here. No harassing anyone. Unicorns especially. No mentioning your twisted desires." I pointed a hoof at the corner of the dining room. "There is no room at the table for you. You will sit over there, and you will keep your fucking mouth shut. You will not speak unless I permit it. Otherwise, I'll feed you to the Nekkra here."
He opened his mouth to speak in protest, but I quickly cut him off.
"Try it, fucker. You better make your next actions carefully. I'll make it slow..."
He closed his mouth again, before rolling his eyes and huffing. He stormed off to the corner of the room with his chair and sat in dead silence.
Fuck, that felt awesome... Revenge was underrated!
Sighing with content, I studied the counsel as the rangers on either side of me were released. They gasped and recoiled for a moment, but much to my surprise, they didn't threaten me.
Hollow sat at the other end of the table, smiling softly as she regarded me. Standing at either side of her was Sora, Bullet, and Dream Catcher.
Rust was also here, though he stood in a corner of the room to my left with his arms folded across his chest. A rifle of unknown origin resided on his back.
To the far left of the table on Hollow's side was a pegasus in Enclave armor, along with one of his units standing at his side as a guard.
He had a red, scarred coat and a dark purple mane. His eyes were a light pink.
Across from him sat a ghoul in a black, pre-war suit. His horn was chipped. For a ghoul, much of his black mane - while still very disheveled and ratty looking - still remained a part of him.
I recognized their face from one of the wanted posters back at Virtue.
The one and only Fester.
Accompanying the raider leader was another ghoul with wide rimmed, rose glasses and a black duster and a worn stetson. I was unsure who that was.
Sitting beside them was Omegas and Thunderwing, both of whom seemed to do their best to ignore the presence of the raiders and the Enclave. Thunder looked a lot healthier than last time I saw her, though. I guess my strain really was the answer to her staying alive.
Petiole sat with Scope, beside the Enclave party, and Nauticus took the spot beside them.
"Tuner." I said as I folded my forehooves on the table's surface.
"Yes, Charger?" He answered from my pipbuck.
"Reach out to Titan. We need a new representative for the Steel Rangers to the counsel."
Bristle glared at me in response, but I didn't acknowledge it.
"C-Charger, are you... sure?"
Everyone in the room was giving me confused looks, but I just nodded.
"Yeah. He's open to compromise. He's being reasonable for the time being."
There was a brief pause before Tuner replied. "A-alright then..."
Titan's voice soon took over my pipbuck, still as soft as it had been last night.
"What is it?" He asked.
"You're the new counselor representative for the Steel Rangers." I stated flatly. "Don't make me regret it."
There was a moment of silence in the room, before he finally replied. "What do you need me to do?"
"Be a voice of reason. Don't be a bitch."
"Sure..."
"Shall we get started then?" Fester said in a raspy ghoul voice. Blegh! At least Petiole sounded normal!
"Yes." I replied, clenching my jaw at his voice. "Fill me in on everything."
As Wolf sat beside me, Blacklight latched onto my back, burrowing his head into my mane.
I felt his fangs flick lightly against me in a playful manner. I took comfort in it.
"Why the fuck are you standing with him!?" Bristle shouted abruptly as he launched up from his spot.
I regarded him with a raised brow as frustration and anger washed over him. It looked like he was about to cry.
That tickled me.
The two rangers looked down at the floor as one of them pawed at it.
"I'm not sorry for this..." One of them said as he looked back at Bristle. "But you're a piece of shit."
"Wh-" Bristle stammered, before I burst into laughter, slapping my leg repeatedly.
"I'll have you executed, you traitorous swine!"
"Which is why I'm taking Charger's side now." He turned to me, before adding softer. "If he'll have me?"
"Of course." I grinned as Bristle screamed. I looked back at him as I stood up. "And you didn't keep your fucking mouth shut!" I started to limp towards him, tonguing my lips. "No time to cry, only time to die!" I stretched my mouth open, ready to taste his flesh and blood as he glared at me.
"Do your fucking worst!" He snapped.
"With pleasure!" I pressed my hoof firmly to his chest, slamming his back into the wall as I inched my salivating mouth to his neck.
"Charger, wait!" Bullet blurted, abruptly pulling me away from him with her magic.
"What?" I asked quickly as I was torn away from one of my deepest fantasies.
"We can't go around killing everyone." She stated. "We need Bristle, whether we like it or not. He is a skilled fighter. We need more with his experience." I looked back at her as she rolled her eyes. "Maybe not like him, but his experience in battle..."
I turned back to Bristle as he gave me a cocky grin.
"... Fine..." I sighed and limped back to my seat. "But if he says one more word, I'm eating his tongue and hiring Petiole to put taste buds in his anus."
"I'll do it, too..." Petiole muttered under his breath, to which Scope giggled.
"I'd let it happen." Bullet said softly in a deadpan.
"I second that." Hollow added.
Soon enough, everyone in the room either nodded or murmured in agreement.
Bristle just huffed and rolled his eyes.
"Now that we got that out of the way..." Fester began with strain to his voice. "We were going to talk about our imminent end?"
"Right." Omegas nodded as he turned to me. "Leave the drama between relations, diplomatic or otherwise, at the door. We're here to solve issues, not create them."
"Alright, alright." I replied as I raised a hoof. "Carry on."
"After we fled the bunker, we regrouped here, and Hollow set up a force field." Scope stated as he regarded me. It was then that I noticed he had a new scar along the side of his neck, though it was very faint.
"I kept a close eye on the spread of the virus, after the vortex opened." Rust filled in. "Something I've gathered is that they refuse to step into the Mojave. They were spreading further east."
"How far have they gotten?" I asked curiously.
"Dot?"
The female voice I kept hearing from both him and Hollow whenever they called out to her spoke.
"The Nekkra virus currently holds 23.7 percent of Equestria's territory."
Everyone appeared puzzled as they regarded him.
"Wait, 23 percent?" The Enclave commander stood up, glancing at me. "Over a one month period?" He cracked a smile.
Bullet straightened herself out. "The chair recognizes our council pony as Bleeding Skies, fleet commander for the Grand Pegasus Enclave."
"I was expecting a much higher number." He resumed. "We've all seen how fast this virus spreads. So what's stopping them?"
"Me." Rust replied simply. "I locked down the west from anyone trying to leave."
"Wait... so..." Thunderwing stood up, frowning. "People can enter, but no one can leave...?"
Everyone turned to Rust with sour looks.
"Correct." He nodded once. "We need fighters. As many as we can get. I get informed whenever someone crosses the border, and I retrieve them before the Nekkra does."
"So you're tricking creatures just so they have no choice but to fight?" Hollow raised a brow.
"Don't take the high road, Hollow." He hissed, putting emphasis on her name. Her ears wilted as she looked down. "I learned from the best, remember? That time you fucking destroyed me? All through trickery and deceit. So you could get what you wanted."
"Leave it, Rust." I glared at him. "No more drama in here."
"Yes, fix your crippled marriage in your own time." Fester added.
Rust looked to me, then the ghoul, and finally Hollow, before sighing and hanging his head down. "W-we were never... that." He stated under his breath.
"I don't care." Petiole snapped. "Keep it between you and her."
Hollow shook her head, before resuming. "Small communities of the NCR, along with Virtue and the Depot, came to us first. The Nekkra went after them in a day's notice. There's nothing left out there."
"After that, came Fester." Bullet filled in with strong distaste. "His raiders have been keeping to themselves, at least..." She rubbed her temple with a hoof and sighed, to which Dream Catcher kissed her on the cheek.
"Breathe, baby..." She whispered.
Bullet looked at her and smiled wanly, before their lips met for a brief moment.
There was a story there... But I wasn't hearing it. I had some ideas what happened, though.
"It took some convincing, but I'm on board." Bleeding Skies stated with a salute. "I can respect this organization. There's a threat bigger than us, and we need to eliminate it." He nodded to me with a determined smile. "I don't know what the future holds in store for us, but I know that you are not my enemy for the time being. I trust that we share that sentiment."
I nodded back slowly. "We do."
"Wonderful."
Thunder rolled her eyes. "Ugh..."
"Shortly after we got the Enclave on our side..." Hollow resumed quickly, before another argument could escalate. "Bristle reluctantly agreed to pool our resources together."
"Due to history behind the chapter, the rangers have to stay on the other side of the factory, outside of the unicorn's view, unless the food line is starting or there's a conference." Titan stated.
"Once I got word of what was going down up here, I made my way back." Nauticus said, regarding me as he tilted his cap to me. "Figured a navy battleship would come in handy for something like this."
"Very much so." I smiled. "Thank you."
"We're all in this together now."
Dream sighed as she put a forehoof over her eyes. "Unfortunately, the Institute doesn't see it that way. So we don't have their help..."
"That's not necessarily true..." Petiole said calmly, before turning to me. "I'm sorry, Charger... I didn't lie to you, but I didn't tell you the truth either..." He took a deep breath and exhaled, as if bracing for a heated argument. "I knew of your courser synth because I helped make it."
"What?" I raised a confused brow.
"I sold your DNA to the Institute once I was done studying it. They had the proper equipment, sterilized labs, and advanced intellect to study this sort of thing. I..." He paused as his LEDs went blue. "I didn't realize they were going to make a synth out of you and hunt you down. I gave them the samples to study the virus and find a way to eliminate it from a host, while keeping said host alive."
The room fell silent as Petiole and I stared at each other. I felt a little betrayed. Only for a moment, though. His heart was in the right place.
I guess he never lost complete contact with the Institute after Stable 32 died.
"Why is this coming up now?" I asked as one of my ears drooped to the side.
"Because I think I figured out how to shut your courser down and reprogram it to fight with you. I've been looking at this from every angle for some time." He turned to Thunderwing. "I might need Onyx's help. I'm good with hacking, but she's far better."
"If Thorne and her agree with it, then I am too. But you be careful with her. If I find so much as a feather missing, I'm gonna hurt you."
"Noted."
"So how are we gonna lure it to where we want?" I asked, looking back at him.
He slowly faced me in turn. "With you."
"Huh?"
"The courser is after you." Scope filled in. "You're his primary objective. The Institute obviously sees you as a threat. So we make a kill box, stick you in the center, and ambush him when he shows himself."
"But... that could kill me." I stated, looking around the room. "That gun he has..." I point a hoof at Hollow as I looked at Scope. "It almost killed our mom."
He opened his mouth and froze as his eyes fixated on mine. He shook his head abruptly and sighed moments after.
"Right, well... way I see it, you've faced more dangerous encounters. And we'll be there with you to keep you safe."
Hollow nodded slowly. "I wouldn't sign off on this idea if I didn't have faith that it'd work. I wouldn't endanger you like that."
I let out a resigned sigh, before nodding in agreement. "I know that... Alright. I'll agree to this. But I gotta ask... are we not getting any help from the Institute whatsoever?" I turned to Petiole again, expecting him to have the answer.
He shook his head. "Doesn't seem like it..."
Bullet, Sora, Hollow, and Dream Catcher all looked at each other with distraught looks, before returning to the counsel.
No one seemed to notice, but I did.
Regardless, they weren't talking. There was most likely a reason for that.
"So let's talk about that other thing, then." I said, leaning forward. "You know, that infestation problem we got..." I studied the party in the room with narrow eyes. "What's the current plan with that?"
"Well..." Bleeding Skies started as he took a deep breath. "We know they can't get past the force field Hollow put down, and evidently, they can't take anymore territory over. I'd like to think that works incredibly in our favor."
"It's starting to sound like the plan is to just go out there and shoot everything until there's nothing left to shoot." I stated with a deadpan. "I don't like those odds. We're a hoof full of survivors against an entire fraction of Equestria."
Bleeding Skies grinned. "Ah, but that's where the ball falls back in our court." He nodded to the canine next to me. "Wolf, tell him."
I turned to the Nekkra as he spoke.
"A Nekkra colony has a heart. Something to keep it thriving. Destroying a Nekkra heart wipes out everything bound to it in a near instant." He turned back to me as he resumed. "I'm certain you were already very close to it when you came back from Equus."
I froze for a moment, processing what he said. "... You mean Bristle's bunker?"
"Correct." Wolf nodded. "Oh morerather, what's left of it. After the vortex took you, the Nekkra made it their new home. And with my past knowledge on the Nekkra, my best guess is that they built the heart deep underground as a means of keeping it safe. Most likely at the lowest floor of the facility."
"Ah, great..." I slumped. "Of course it wasn't gonna be easy..." I sighed as I put a hoof over my face. "That bunker is huge! I still don't know how deep down it goes!"
Headaches...
Why?
"Well, what's it look like?" I asked in exasperation.
"It can look like anything. But I know that in this case... Big."
"How vague..." I muttered.
"You'll know it when you see it."
"Wait..." I frowned at the thought running through my head. "How do I know I'm not connected to this heart?"
"Simple." Wolf replied. "You are a Nekkra heart yourself. I'm bound to you, Wolfheart... everyone you infected. Even Firebright, for a time. Though I imagine by now she's evolved into a Nekkra heart herself. Once a Nekkra becomes a heart, they are bound to no other but themselves." Wolf sighed as he nuzzled my neck. "Word of advice, don't die. You'll be taking a lot more with you than you realize."
"Noted." I replied with an assertive nod.
"So how are we going to approach the assault against the hive?" Fester asked. "I don't think guns alone will solve this issue."
"Nukes." Hollow stated casually.
I opened my mouth in protest, but she cut me off.
"Think about it, Charger. It's a necessary evil. Everything out there is already dead. It's nothing but Nekkra. The land will suffer... but so will the universe if we don't do this."
"F-fine..." I averted my eyes as I grit my teeth. "I don't like it, but I suppose we're out of options..."
"This concludes our meeting, then." Bullet stated impatiently, eyeing me instantly.
Her voice suddenly infiltrated my head.
"Stay there, Charger. We need to talk."
"Bleeding Skies." Hollow started. "Prepare your nuke. We might end up needing it."
"Might?" He raised a confused brow.
"I'll see about calling in my own." Bullet stated. "I'm gonna give one last hail Mary for more reinforcements as well." She turned to Sora and Dream. "I'd like it if you two recruited east with Hollow. The Flash Fillies and Burners would make an exceptional part of our team in all this."
"Copy." Sora said as she proudly saluted her commanding officer.
"We need the room." Dream said quickly.
Everyone started to single out of the room with the exception of me, Blacklight, Wolf, Hollow, Sora, Bullet, Dream Catcher, and Rust.
Bristle muttered under his breath as he eyeballed me, walking past. With a grin, I ran a hoof along the hammer of my cutiemark and spoke.
"You're starting to look like a nail..."
He sneered at me, but said nothing.
Once everyone was out of sight, I turned back to the counsel. Rust took a seat at the table.
"Alright, so what's wrong now?" I asked flatly. "I saw the lot of you get scared about something."
Hollow sighed and shook her head, looking down at her hooves that rested on the table.
"Saturn Protocol is aimed at Equus and currently ready to fire..."
"We just got confirmation." Sora stated. "If we don't eliminate the hive soon, then we're all dead. They put the universe in quarantine, so there's no evacuating."
"Wait, hold on... You lost me. What's this Saturn Protocol thing?" I asked curiously. "Obviously, it's a weapon, but what's it do?"
"It was designed as a doomsday cannon against the Nekkra, a very long time ago. Before any of us were even a cell." Bullet replied. "It sets the entire universe on fire. Nothing survives."
I slumped back into Chair as my heart pounded in my chest to her words.
"... Huh..." I sat there, dumbfounded for what felt like ever, before I spoke again. "How soon are we talking, in terms of the attack against the hive?"
"We need to act tomorrow, at the latest."
Shit! I guess we really were on the clock!
"I think Hollow and Rust's forcefields bought us some time, but not a whole lot." Dream said. "The Star Mother ordered the Hub not to fire for the time being, so I'd like to think that's our cue to fix this. I can't stress the importance of our victory against this bunker. If we fail, then everything here dies."
"I'll see about getting the supply drop down in the Mojave somewhere." Bullet added. "Get more units to fight for us. Weapons, equipment, that sort of thing."
"Why don't you just drop it here?" I asked, raising a brow.
"The impact could kill anyone nearby." She replied instantly, as if expecting that question to pop up. "I'd rather not risk it."
"Fair point." I nodded.
"I'll get to work on the request." Bullet turned to Dream and Sora. "I might need your help. I don't think they'll listen to just me."
"In that case..." Sora adjusted her glasses with a wing, looking at everyone else. "We'll need the room. We'll contact you when we have news."
As the rest of us left, I heard Bullet mutter under her breath. "We should have never made the Saturn Protocol..."
Rust left the building, while Blacklight flew up to the second floor, entering the bedroom.
Hollow kissed me on the cheek before going through the hallway under the patio of the second floor. She stopped at the end, before looking over her shoulder, smiling wanly.
"Are you coming, dear?"
I nodded, smiling back before limping over to her.
She turned to a wall to our right, before tapping a hoof at it in a variety of places, like she did back in New Pegasus.
"If you could put an entry point to your cave anywhere, why didn't you do it when we were here last time?"
She swung her hoof around the surface in a circular motion, and at once, a perfectly cut square of the wall vanished before us, revealing the cave she made her home.
"Because it takes time, and I wanted an adventure with my son."
We both stepped in, to which the passage sealed shut behind us. Her answer left a smile on my face.
"So..." I started as we traversed the dark cavern, which was soon lit up by my pipbuck light. "Are you and Thorne an item now?"
Hollow giggled with an amused purr. "Mmm... I'd like to think so. If she wasn't bi before, she definitely is now. She kept begging for me." She turned to me, tonguing her lips sensually. "She tastes delicious."
I giggled as a dark blush enveloped my cheeks. "Too much info!"
She rolled her eyes. "Like you're the one to talk. I've seen you looking at me from time to time. Not to mention your situation with Firebright..."
Damn it!
"N-no, I never was looking at you like that!" I blurted nervously.
She raised a skeptical brow. "That little moment of us in nature's spa, in the cave? You had your eyes on the prize."
"Fuck!"
She giggled as she bumped her flank against mine. "Don't worry, hun. It's not like you knew who I really was to you just yet... but even then, I don't think that would've stopped you."
"Right... erm... W-well, I'm glad you found someone, mom." I smiled softly, regarding her as I bumped her flank back.
She chuckled under her breath. "Me too. It's certainly been a while since I've had the chance for something like this."
We eventually entered the resting area of the cavern she made, to which she approached the guitar she gave me on my birthday.
She levitated it with her magic, holding it out to me. "I must ask..." She started. "Did you ever play this?"
"Uh... no?" I grit my teeth nervously as I sat on the bed. "I figured I'd start once everything calmed down."
She smiled wanly. "Why don't you try it now?"
"But..." I knit my brows. "I don't know how to play."
"Just try." She grinned. "Trust me."
Hesitantly, I took the guitar and held it in the assumed correct position. "Well... okay, uh..."
I pressed my hoof down on the neck of the instrument, holding down some of the strings while I strummed further down with my other hoof, over the body.
A deep, electrically altered growl emanated from it, before I went for another note I knew nothing about. It was like the guitar told me which notes to hit at the given time, and my body seemed to cooperate incredibly well with the instructions.
With each strum, a heavy guitar riff began to shape into a song. The rhythm was steady, badass, and professional.
I never played a guitar before! How was this possible!?
I stopped and looked up at Hollow, who was now laughing at my baffled expression.
"H-how did I do that...?"
She patted me on the back. "I used to be in a band... with Rust. We were kids." She sat beside me and sighed as she rested her head on my shoulder.
She gave off the scent of winter; freezing to the nostrils, yet refreshing. I thought I was starting to realize what this new sense of smell was. I was reading people's emotions through aromas. An aura, of sorts...
"This was my guitar. I loved playing it. I was great at it, too." She glanced down at the instrument I held in my embrace. "I kept it around all this time, but I never did anything with it after Rust and I split up. It hurt too much to play." She ran her hoof along the anarchy symbol, tracing around its design slowly. "But I couldn't get rid of it, either. I didn't have it in me. It was a part of me, in a way. Now it is in a more literal sense... I put a fragment of my soul into it and locked it away for the longest time." She looked up at me, smiling a bit brighter, before lightly kissing me on the nose. "That's how you're playing it so well. My soul is guiding you."
"You... gave me your soul as a present...?"
"Well, a part of it." She giggled. "I trust you with my very being, Charger. I love you..."
"Ohhh, Hollow!" I hugged her tight as tears burned at my eyes. "I love you too!"
She let out a small laugh as we held each other close. She levitated the guitar to reside back in its stand as she buried her muzzle into my chest.
I leaned my back against the mattress, bringing her with me. She scooted closer to me and placed another gentle, loving kiss to my cheek, before nestling in and closing her eyes.
"Hollow?" Petiole spoke from the entrance to the room. "Is Charger with you?"
"Yes, we're in here." She sat up, and I soon joined her, using my forelegs to support my upper body.
Petiole stepped in with a metal appendage residing on his back.
"I finished the upgrade." He stated, regarding the two of us. "Is now a bad time?"
"Not at all." Hollow smiled.
He stopped before us and set a hind leg made up of Tungstian down from his back. At the end of it was my old electric hoof.
"Is that my new leg?" I asked, raising a brow as I sat up completely.
Petiole nodded. "I've been working on it all night, after your speech." He looked down at it for a moment as he continued. "I'm sorry to say that installing it is going to hurt. A lot. Worse than last time."
"Ah, I can take it." I waved a hoof at him and chuckled.
"I don't doubt that you can, but I'd rather you didn't. So if it's alright with you, Hollow will slip you into a memory orb and I'll give you some Med-x."
Drugs? Fuck yes!
I may take pain, but I'll take drugs more!
I reached my forehooves out for Petiole, grinning ecstatically. "Gimme drugs!"
Petiole backed away abruptly as his LED flashed blue.
He sighed after a moment of staring and shook his head. "Right... I forgot you're an addict."
"Ah, you're just jealous cause I can't OD." I stuck my tongue out playfully.
"That remains to be seen, Charger." He chided. "I'm not putting that to the test, either. And even if your theory is correct, it's still not good to rely on drugs for emotional support. You gotta strengthen your willpower and mind without that stuff. You can't defeat your demons by hiding behind another one. That only makes it worse."
Here we go...
Now I know how Aura felt when I confronted her...
I lied back down and sighed. "Stop."
"Charger..." He stepped forward.
"No, stop." I sat up again, glaring at him. "You don't know what it was like for me!"
Hollow quietly got up from the bed, slowly walking away from the scene.
"I don't doubt that it helped you back then." Petiole stated in a snappy tone. "But the worst part is over. You don't need it anymore. And lest you forget..." His LED flashed red. "I have all your memories. I felt it too!"
"Then you would know that I still feel it, Petiole!" I screamed, nearly throwing myself at him.
His LED went blue again as he recoiled. Hollow froze in her tracks, facing away from us.
"Every! Fucking! Day!" I hissed. "I feel them!"
"Leave it be, Petiole..." Hollow spoke in a near whisper, before finally turning to us with a somber, tired look. "If it's doing more good than not, then there's no reason to take it away." She glanced at me, taking a deep breath of air. "He's no doubt addicted, but he's still here, which means he knows to not overdo it. He's been smart about it."
"For lack of a better term..." Petiole added under his breath.
"Fuck you!" I scowled.
"Petiole, I mean it." Hollow snapped. "Drop it or leave."
"Fine..." He muttered, digging into his saddle bags. "I was hoping this'd be your last dose, but... I guess not." He pulled out a syringe and tested the needle, squirting a little bit of the medicine out. "Get a memory orb, Hollow."
"Do you have a preference, hun?" She asked tenderly.
After a moment of pondering, I turned to her, still shaking. "Would... you happen to have more of Happy's memories?"
Hesitantly, she nodded.
"I want to know what happened to him when he was a kid." Immediately, she clenched her jaw. "Would you have one of that?"
"Charger, we're about to shove technology inside you and fuse metal to you. Wouldn't you want something a little more enjoyable than what he was put through...? I have some memory orbs of our time together when you were little. Maybe you'd like to hold yourself as a foal or something? Play with blocks together?"
Fuck, that was tempting...
"No." I stated abruptly, before shaking my head. "I mean... yes. But later. I want answers more right now."
She sighed as her horn ignited in her red aura. "Very well."
At once, a memory orb popped into existence before me, hovering close to my face.
"Ready?" She asked.
"As I'll ever be."


(((((((◉)))))))


My host was that of a colt. Roughly around the age of 6 or 8. Pegasus, though his wings were bound firmly around his back. I only noticed after he strained them in futile attempts to stretch.
The room he was in was barely lit by the crack of light underneath the doorway, revealing he was among a group of other fillies and colts in the same predicament as him; tied hooves and wings bound by rope, pressed firmly against each other. The room was far too small to house this many. They must have been in a closet or something of that nature.
All of them cried for their parents. All but one.
My host.
Some of them worked on untying the ropes around the other, and the motive quickly spread to the others.
But he simply lied there in a silent calm, studying everything.
A set of hooves approached the door on the other side, before it swung open. Light poured into the room as a dark silhouette of an earth pony stood in the doorway.
Many, if not all of the children cried out in terror, recoiling as best they could, though their efforts were in vain.
There was nowhere to run, even if they could.
"Shut the fuck up!" He screamed.
Wait... that voice...
He stepped into the room with a disturbed grimace, glaring down at the lot of them.
His coat was a dark red, and his eyes, yellow. His light grey mane was cut short.
Four tore into gore...
His eyes shifted across the room, until they rested on the colt I occupied.
He pointed a hoof at him. "You..." He stepped further into the room, paying no mind where his hooves landed; whether they met floor, or a part of a kid.
They'd cry out from the pain, but he seemed to press more weight down on them when they did.
He enjoyed their suffering.
Four lifted the colt onto his back before turning around without ushering a word. All he and I could see was the floor littered with terrified children of all three pony tribes. Somewhere in the mix, I caught very few zebra.
Still, despite the more than likely danger of what was ahead, my host remained calm. His heartbeat was steady. He didn't shiver. He didn't even come close to crying. He showed no emotions, both inside and out.
Shortly after the door slammed shut behind them, he was thrown to the ground, sliding for a moment before his back struck a wall.
Even still, he was calm. A small grunt escaped him from the impact, but that was the extent of his reaction.
He casually took in his surroundings to discover he was in what seemed to be an abandoned warehouse.
A sunroof above them cast the moon's light down into the room, though it was obscured with the lantern near the door to the claustrophobic space he just came from.
"Why aren't you scared?" Four asked behind grit teeth, stomping forward and pressing his forehoof down on his chest. He glared down at his victim with murderous intent. "No one knows you're here. I could kill you right now, and no one would ever know until I decided to throw your remains back out there. So why aren't you scared?"
My host simply stared up at him, and past him, beside the full moon in the starlit sky, a red ring formed. Trapped within its confines was darkness.
The vortex spun, remaining in one spot as blood red clouds pumped from its foundation.
"Poor child..." Nekkra Death spoke in his mind. "You do not deserve these horrors... Should the worst happen, I will give you and the others a better life..."
"Answer my fucking question, you little brat." Four shoved his hoof down harder, to which my host grunted from the assault again. He focused back on Four and replied in a carefree tone.
"Because everything makes sense. Great things are waiting for us."
Four paused, staring down at him in a spiteful glare.
Finally, after a moment, he scoffed. In a moment's notice, a sharp pain grew in the side of my host's face as his hoof swung across.
The kid gasped ever so softly, before taking in some air and looking back up at him. I felt blood trickle down the side of his face.
Four rolled his eyes and backed off. "One way or another, I'm gonna make you scream..."
Happy stared up at the vortex as it hung above him. A small smile curled on his lips as he studied the void in the center. He saw - or perhaps heard - something I didn't. Something that the memory orb couldn't pick up. His heart began racing with excitement.
With purpose...
"I will help you help others..." He whispered under his breath. "I see now..."


(((((((◉)))))))


My back was pressed against a metal surface, yet there was a comfort overwhelming me in the light that I basked in.
One of the first things I noticed upon waking up was the feeling of something cupping around the base of my missing leg.
I opened my eyes, optically greeted with the warm, gentle light that enveloped the room with a calming energy. I soon realized upon further inspection that I was in a medical room, though it looked very advanced and professional. Everything looked super clean here! What was this? Where was I?
Upon lifting the upper half of my body up, I looked down to find my once missing leg was restored not to its former glory, but to what some would call an upgrade.
The tungstian black metal wrapped around my haunch, before meeting flesh, inches below my cutiemark.
I had a hock again, and the joint for it comprised of a built-in wheel on either side. In the space between the two was a gap of a red trench of glowing light.
The cannon of my leg was a smooth, matte surface.
The lights along my hoof lit up, and furthermore, was another trench of red light that resembled the joint between my leg and hoof, where the new addition to my cybernetics began.
I moved my leg around from side to side, testing the feel of it.
It bent at all the proper joints and operated just like a normal leg would. It was easy to control, which gave me the idea that the technology they shoved inside me were just more implants to make my body adapt to it, making it a part of me.
At least this time I consented to it...
I really enjoyed the design of it. I looked like a badass!
Er... as if I didn't already.
I looked even more badass than I did earlier! There! Ha ha!
I rolled off the metal table and paced around the room to find my new leg was very responsive to my demands.
I trotted in a circle, giggling like a mad pony, before my eyes caught sight of a door left ajar to a bathroom.
I trotted in and flicked the light on. At once, I was greeted by a very handsome stallion who grinned back at me.
"Hello there, sexy..." I said as I ran my hoof along my reflection in the mirror. "You come here often?"
I turned around and looked over my shoulder as I lifted my tail and lowered my upper half down to the floor, swaying my hips left to right consistently.
I bit my lip seductively as my eyes wandered up my tungstian leg, towards my enticing flank. They eventually rested on the sweet spot under my tail.
My hoof gently flickered with electricity to the arousal I felt, and I sat on my haunches, bringing my leg up to my lips as I stared at my twin in the mirror.
I proceeded to trace my tongue along the cannon of my leg, leaving a trail of saliva behind as I inched closer to my hoof.
My tongue traversed the gap of red that separated my leg from my hoof, just as I heard a door slide open from outside.
"Charger?" Petiole called out, just as he and Scope stepped into view of the mirror, regarding me from behind.
Just then, my tongue slipped over one of the many furrows that buzzed with electricity.
A sharp jolt of energy shot into the entire length of my tongue!
"AGH!" I screamed as I pulled away, slamming my back into the steel flooring as I arched. My hoof grew enraged as the electricity violated my mouth and throat.
"Petheeol!" I cried out as they stopped at the doorway.
My eyes went wide with horror...
Oh fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck! My tongue was dead! I couldn't speak right!
Scope almost immediately facehoofed as Petiole sighed behind a blue LED.
"Damn it, Charger!" He blurted, before coughing a bit. "You're not supposed to lick electric components!"
"I faht it wash haht!" I whined as I held both hooves over my mouth. As if that was doing any favors for me...
"That's what you get for being sexy!" He chided, to which Scope burst into laughter.
"So you do have a crush on him!" Scope grinned. Petiole's LED flashed red as he spun to him.
"W-what?"
Yes... WHAT?
Despite the pain in my mouth, which admittedly was quickly starting to vacate the area, I found myself blushing.
"You said Charger is sexy."
"D-did I...?" Petiole turned back to me as I rolled onto my stomach, nodding quietly.
He hung his head down and let out another sigh, before taking a seat.
"Scope, can I... have a moment with Charger?"
He nodded pleasantly, before turning and leaving the bathroom, closing the door behind him. At once, Petiole removed his helmet, looking at me again. There was a faint smile on his lips.
I noticed his branches were growing out a bit again. I would take care of that later, if he let me.
"I'm just gonna cut straight to it... I've been doing a lot of thinking, Charger..." He started. "After our moment in the bunker, I felt something..." He paused, averting his gaze. "F-for you..."
"... Oh..." The shade of black on my face grew darker as a smile crept on my lips.
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach! Mm!
"It's weird..." He continued, looking back at me once more. "I don't see myself as gay, or bi, or anything like that. But with you, it's different, and you just happen to be a guy."
"Have you... ever felt this way with another male?" I asked as I flicked my ear. Oh hey, I got my voice back! Accelerated Nekkra regeneration for the win!
"No. Never." He shook his head. "It wasn't until that night in the bunker where I started questioning where my interests lie."
I giggled as I sat up. "Yeah, I'm pretty good at turning heads."
He deadpanned at my remark, to which I went quiet. "Well... at least you can speak again..."
"S-sorry, I won't joke around..."
"Thank you..." He replied, softening his cold look. His smile slowly came back, but it was short lived. "When I found out you weren't coming back after the bunker, I felt like I lost the chance to tell you how I feel about you... it hurt." He let out an exhale, and a tuft of pink mist came out. "I tried burying my thoughts into my studies." He let out a small chuckle and shook his head. "After all, it's the end of the world. My feelings didn't matter."
"Petiole..." I stood up and approached him, moving through the small cloud of pink.
It still tickled on contact.
I wrapped a hoof around the back of his neck, looking into his eyes.
"Your feelings matter to me. It's no secret that I have feelings for you as well."
"W... why?" He raised a brow. "Why do you like me? I mean... when you came back from the dead from the hellhound attack, I bashed on your feelings. Why would you care about mine? Much less like me? I mean, look at me. I'm not attractive. I'm an undead freak."
"Stop that." I scolded with a soft bap to his nose. "Looks are nice when it comes to relationships, but they aren't everything. I like you for you. I know we've had problems in the past, like that hellhound thing... but I like to think that we moved past them and grew on each other. That we grew as ponies. I saw change in you than when we first met. You're not the pony from Stable 32 anymore."
He froze in place, his eyes glued to mine for the longest time. "... Huh..." He cracked a smile. "I kinda feel stupid for not seeing it like that before. I guess, in a way, it's kinda the same with you." His hooves wrapped around me, meeting at my back as he pulled me in.
My pipbuck clicked from the radiation, but I didn't care. It was just a noise to me at this point. Radiation didn't do much to me anymore.
"I like you for you, Charger. I don't care about your gender, or how you look. I only care about what's inside. You."
I giggled, holding him in turn as I rested my chin on his shoulder.
"I... can't deny that your body is a bonus. I've... caught myself looking at you..." He chuckled under his breath.
I let out a content exhale as I closed my eyes for a brief moment, before pulling my head back, regarding him with a gentle smile.
"Do you know what I'm about to ask, Petiole?"
He nodded. "Before I answer, I need to know. Assuming I say yes, will you agree to take it slow with me? I don't want to rush this. Even if either of us die tomorrow, I wouldn't have wanted to rush anything."
"Of course, Petiole... I can respect that. I know I'm a very... sexual pony, and I joke around a lot, but when it comes down to it, I treat relationships seriously."
He released a satisfactory sigh as he nodded.
"Okay... then..." He gazed deeply into my eyes as I did him. His arms squeezed around my naked form, and I reciprocated the sentiment, though with his armor, he might not have felt it.
His eyes drifted to my lips for a second, before closing.
He inched forward...
My eyelids fluttered over my vision, shrouding me in darkness as his lips lightly pressed to my cheek. They pursed against my hide for a moment, before he slowly pulled back.
I opened my eyes just as his did - remaining in a half-lidded daze - and locked with each other once more.
"Does that answer your question, Charger...?" Petiole whispered inches from my muzzle.
"Does my smile answer yours?" I whispered back, to which we both shared a light hearted giggle.
He ran his hoof along my back in a gentle caress. "I uh... heh... I initially came here to see how you were doing, but I guess you're doing more than fine."
"Mhm!" I nodded happily. "I think the feeling is mutual at this point, Pet."
"P-Pet?" He tilted his head as his eyes widened. "Not even five minutes in, and you already have a nickname for me..." He shook his head, smiling. "I should have expected that, to be honest..."
"Yes, you should have." I snickered.
He lightly booped my nose before standing up. "I should check on everyone else and see how close we are to departing for the ambush on your Courser. But, uh..." A tender smile formed on his lips as he hung his head down, looking at my chest in a timid manner. "Can I see you tonight? At the cliffside? I wanted to do something relaxing before we went to war."
"Of course." I grinned. "I think that'd be great."
"That's great to hear." He replied, finally looking up at me again, before slipping his helmet back on. "I'll see you when we're ambushing the Courser first, of course. I could have asked you after securing it, but..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah... I don't know why I didn't just do that."
I laughed softly and patted him on the side. "You're cute when you're nervous."
His LED flashed blue for a split second, before he sighed in resignation. "This is definitely gonna take some getting used to..." With that, he turned to the door and opened it, before looking over his shoulder. "Oh. Hey... I'm..." He paused as I tilted my head to the side curiously. "I'm sorry about earlier with the Med-x thing... I don't like it, especially as a doctor, and someone who cares about you. But... you're still here. After years of using it. So that tells me that you've been... careful with the intake, to put it mildly. I can't stop you, but... please... if you decide to keep using it, please be careful, Charger..."
"I will..." I replied in a near whisper, accompanied with a single nod.
He nodded back. "I'll see you tonight, Charger."
"And I, you."
He closed the door behind him upon leaving.
I turned back to the mirror to find a bright, sharp grin spread across my face. More and more butterflies in my stomach!
A light giggle escaped my lips at the sight and feeling of my own joy as I hugged myself tight. The once subtle sign of happiness grew louder by the second, until I wound up bursting with laughter; rolling along the ground as I continued to hold myself tight. Tears broke free at the failure to contain my roar.
Petiole was my boyfriend!


(((((((◉)))))))


I trotted down the empty, steel corridor in silence; only my hooves made sound with each step.
The isolation let me process what I saw in that memory orb. I wasn't filled in on the entire situation, but I had a basic idea of what he was put through as a kid.
He was kidnapped, along with over a dozen others. Four tore into gore...
I don't think they were snatched as a means of profit...
I answered one question partially, and several more came up.
Ugh... Head hurty.
"Lesson one." Hollow spoke softly behind my ear, causing me to jump.
I began to turn around hastily from the surprise, but she slammed me down on my stomach, getting on top of me.
"Nng!" I grit my teeth as I looked over my shoulder at her. "Mom, wh-"
She smiled before placing a light kiss on my cheek. "Expect the unexpected." With that, she ceased her restraint, taking a step back.
I lifted myself up off the ground and regarded her behind a glare.
"What was that for!?"
"Well, I did mention how I wanted to train with you in unarmed combat when we had the chance. Now is as good a time as any to finally do it." She lifted herself up on her hindlegs, standing like a Human in a combat stance again. "No biting, and no electrocution." She stated with a grin. "Deal?"
"Deal." I replied. "No nutshots, either."
Her smile faltered for a brief second. "I would never do that to you..."
With a grin, I pounced on her, throwing her back against the ground and pinning her down beneath me. "That's more like it..." I chuckled as she studied my eyes. "Lesson one." I lightly pressed my muzzle to hers. "Expect the-"
Before I could finish my sentence, she quickly lifted her lower body up, flinging me over her head as she held on tight to my fores. As I crashed down on my back in a breathtaking impact, she rolled backwards before sitting on my chest, looking down at me with a confident smile.
"... unexpected." She finished, booping me playfully. I scrunched my nose as she continued. "You're good, I've seen you in battle. But I'm better. This attempt was lazy. Guess I didn't feed you enough zebra milk when you were a baby." She giggled.
With a roll of my eyes, I sighed. "Alright then, show off. You won." I looked back up at her as I moved the tentacles within me of my own volition. "Hey... I got a question."
"Go on?" She said as she got off me, walking over my head and giving me a very revealing view of herself.
Admittedly, that got a blush out of me.
"Is it possible for you to get infected by the Nekkra virus?" I rolled over on my stomach, looking at her as she peeked over her shoulder, back at me.
"Not in this body."
In an instant, I reached my hoof out, and a variety of shadowed appendages launched out at her.
She spun around, glaring as a spray bottle materialized into thin air via her magic.
Before I realized what was happening, I was under assault of a heavy spritzing to my face, with what both smelled and felt like lemon juice.
Instinctively, as I recoiled from the burn to my eyes, I let out a feral hiss, before more tendrils shot out from me, quickly dragging me away in a retreat like a spider fleeing in fear of being squished.
"Agh, it burns! IT BURNSSSSSSSS!"
"Nice try, Charger!" Hollow called out. "Better luck next time!"
Moments after her remark, my body ceased, restrained as the sound of a radiant hum surrounded me.
I cracked my eyes open to find Hollow standing a few feet before me.
"I'm sorry, Charger." She said gently. "I might have went a bit too far." She stepped forward and nuzzled my chest, which remained at eye level with her. "Are you okay?" She asked in her caring, motherly tone.
"It hurts." I drawled. "Lemons have betrayed me!"
She giggled faintly as the restriction was released on my body. My tentacles receded back into my form. "Come, dear. Let's get your eyes washed out."
Almost instantly, we were teleported into the same bathroom that Petiole and I had been in earlier. Though there was a searing pain in my eyes, I couldn't help but smile.
I heard a shower faucet run with water, before she carefully navigated me to it. I lifted my head as cold water rained down on me, to which I cracked my eyes open again.
"Something has you in a good mood." She stated. "I can feel it."
"Mm..." I giggled. "Very much so." My smile grew into a grin. I couldn't keep it in anymore! "Petiole is my boyfriend!"
"Oh? Charger, that's great." She replied in a cheerful tone. "I'm glad you two are able to move on together."
I nodded, before opening my eyes a little wider. They still stung, but the pain was subsiding. Regardless, I stayed under the water.
"We're gonna take it slow." I stated, to which she laughed.
"I can't say the same for Thorne and I. Some relationships move at their own pace, I suppose." Her hoof ran up my back. "I'm very happy for you. You and Petiole deserve this."
Eventually, the pain vacated, and as I blinked rapidly, I looked to her with that cheerful grin.
"You feeling better, hun?" She tilted her head, still smiling in turn.
"Yep!"
She nodded and turned the faucet off with her magic, before we left the bathroom and medical lab, back into the corridor.
"So... what is this?" I asked, looking around at the smooth, polished surfaces all around us. "I've never seen a bunker like this before. It's very advanced."
Her smile widened momentarily, before she spoke. "This is my space ship. Though, I haven't flown her for quite some time, so she may as well be a bunker at this point."
My jaw dropped at those two words.
Space... ship...
As in... UFO?
As in... alien craft!?
I was in an alien space craft!?
"Oh, now we gotta have a tour!" I shouted ecstatically.
And with that, the door to my right slid open.
"Maybe someday." She stated calmly. "But we have important matters to tend to as of right now."
"Awwww, but mommmmmmmmmmmm!" I whined playfully, nudging her shoulder repeatedly. "Can't chores waaaaaaaait?"
"No." She replied flatly and in a deadpan.
With a pout, I resigned. "Awww, fiiiiiiine..."
As we left the ship - which was unfortunately buried by rock, so there wasn't much to see on the outside - we traveled through the cavern and back in the house.
Just as we stepped into the living room, Thorne opened the front door to the house and walked in. Oku followed close behind her, along with Onyx.
Thorne grinned as she trotted to her lover. "Morning, babe."
It felt a little weird watching my mom make out with my sister's...
Then again, I suppose I had worse.
I made out with my biological mom through my dad's body... among other things...
I quickly shook my head free of that thought as Oku and Onyx approached me.
"Hey, Oku." I smiled as I reached a hoof out. He shook it and smiled back.
"Well met, demon."
Oh, this demon thing again...
"It's Charger, actually." I giggled softly, before Onyx abruptly clung to my body.
"Thank you so much for saving Thunderwing, Charger..." She spoke softly, nuzzling into my ear.
I was caught by surprise at first, but I reciprocated.
"I was worried about her." She stated as she released me. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I was too..." I whispered.
Thorne muttered softly.
The zebra, pegasus and I turned to the two mares just as they broke their kiss.
Hollow's hoof was wrapped around the back of her head, gazing deep into the earth pony's eyes as she nuzzled her snoot.
Thorne nuzzled her in turn, giggling before turning to us. Or... me, specifically. Her smile faltered a little bit.
"So... before I get too carried away, I came here to tell you that I talked to Petiole about the plan. You keep Onyx safe, you hear?" She scowled. "Not a hair on her head!"
"Understood." I replied calmly as the pegasus beside me adjusted her cap with a wing, grinning behind a blush.
"Oku wanted to help, too." Thorne glanced at Hollow. "I think he'd be great for something like this. He's a skilled fighter."
Hollow nodded before I regarded him.
"I want to do more to help this group." He filled in. "I find that I like it here..."
"I would greatly appreciate it." I said cheerfully as I reached an arm out. He hesitated a moment, but soon gave in and hugged me.
He turned to Hollow after pulling away with a wary look in his eyes. "You still scare me..."
She nodded slowly. "I know..."
My ears wilted to his statement against her. "It's not like she's enslaved any civilizations lately."
Both of them averted their eyes from each other nervously.
"Um..." Oku sighed as he rubbed his temple. "Okay, so we weren't entirely truthful..."
"We left out some details..." Hollow interjected.
Onyx and Thorne looked puzzled, so I wasn't the only one caught in a state of confusion.
"The full truth is that I was enslaved by the Starkatteri when she came to power."
"Whoa, hold on..." Onyx knit her brow, shaking her head quickly. "You mean you're immortal too!?"
He nodded quietly. "She did something to my spirit. It can't leave my body... Or... maybe it can, and I just haven't figured it out yet."
"Hollow, is this true?" Thorne asked curiously, to which she sighed.
"Yep... I was experimenting with immortalizing things, and after hundreds of thousands of failed attempts with others, the experiment ended as a success. With him." She waved a hoof to him, keeping her eyes focused elsewhere.
"Why didn't you say anything earlier?" I asked, regarding her subject.
He cracked a wan smile as he looked at me. "I didn't trust you or anyone else here at the time. In case you haven't noticed, I've been keeping to myself. Until recently, anyways." He paused for a moment as his eyes locked with mine. A sadness developed in them. "After meeting Bristle, I realized I had it better. Hollow only used me as a means of labor and experimentation. We weren't sexually abused..."
"It took you this long to realize that?" Thorne raised a brow in skepticism.
Taking a glance at her, he nodded. "Again, I kept to myself. Isolation was how I survived."
"A loose definition of isolation, Oku." Hollow smirked, to which he mumbled something in his native tongue, rolling his eyes.
I raised a brow to Hollow, and she continued.
"I've been keeping an eye on him since I gave up my reign, and I found that he kept moving into other small communities. Specifically zebra."
"That's not isolation." Onyx stated.
"It is if you don't talk to anyone." Oku argued.
Hollow giggled. "Well, I have to check on the others and make sure everything is ready. Charger, see about catching up with the others. Touch base."
"We'll stick near Petiole." Oku stated as he glanced to the pegasus. She nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I gotta talk shop with him."


(((((((◉)))))))


After the group had dispersed, I made my way through the shanty town. Everyone was in preparation. It wasn't just the synth ambush we were doing today. There was the alliance to the east for more bodies. There was the potential supply drop in the Mojave. There was inventory management.
Everyone was busy today.
"I know, I know..." I heard Moonstone say around the corner of one of the shanty houses.
"Then say it." Sapphire Star chided.
"I won't act like a hero." He drawled, before sighing.
I stepped around the corner, and immediately, Sapphire looked at me. For a moment, there was resentment in those eyes, but they quickly softened into a calm state as a hint of a smile curled on her lips.
"Charger." She nodded, before moving in and lightly hugging me.
Well, that was a surprise... Last time I saw her, she detested me for Snow Star...
I hesitated a moment before wrapping an arm around her.
"Hello Sapphire." I replied softly.
Moonstone smiled at me before slipping his helmet on, completing the set of power armor around his form.
Sapphire let go and returned to her lover. "So who are you going with?" I asked, looking at the former ranger.
"I'm with Bullet." He stated. "Sapphire is going with Hollow in the recruitment attempt."
Her eyes lingered on mine for a moment, before she turned back to Moonstone. "Hey, dear?"
He turned to her. "Yes, hun?"
"Can I have a moment with Charger?"
He nodded. "Of course. I'll be inside, if you need me." He wrapped an arm around her and pulled in for a hug, nuzzling the top of her head for a moment.
She giggled at the contact to her horn, blushing a little.
With that, he trotted away, entering the unit they were standing beside.
She sighed as she looked back at me, but there was still a small smile on her face.
"I heard your speech last night." She stated. "It was... something." She lowered her head and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry about what I said to you in the bunker."
I sat down, struck by her nicer side.
"What changed...?" I asked, cocking my head.
Her smile grew ever so little as she sat before me.
"I'm heartbroken about what happened to my sister, Charger. And I know you are too. I can't blame you for what happened. It's not right... I mean... fuck..." She hung her head down and let out yet another resigned sigh. "With the world possibly coming to an end, I'd rather not die with spiteful hatred in my heart. I'd like to make some peace before we all die... and you gave me the courage to do that."
My jaw dropped as I raised a brow. Flattery and confusion both sparked in my chest to her words.
"I'm honored, but... what did I do?"
She looked back up at me, smiling brighter. "Not only are you choosing to work with your enemies and put aside your differences to try and save the world, but you're forgiving the rangers that destroyed you. That... takes strength. You forgave Titan... he doesn't deserve it, but... if you can forgive one of your worst enemies, even after everything they did to you, then I think I can forgive someone that didn't mean for any harm to come to Snow Star." She reached a hoof out to me. "Can we..." She paused as she seemed to try and find the right words. "Can we try and work together?"
I took her hoof in mine, and we shook. "Of course..."
Her smile widened a little more before she closed her eyes and retreated her hoof. She took a deep breath of the salty air.
"Aura is absolutely adorable." Sapphire stated behind a soft giggle.
I joined her in the gentle, heartfelt laughter. "That she is." I replied happily.
"Crazy like her father, too." She winked as a grin spread across her face.
"You know it!" I beamed.
After a small moment of laughter, we both calmed down, and Sapphire stood up.
"Well, I'm gonna get ready..." She walked to my side and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me in for another hug, to which I reciprocated. I could tell there was still a small awkward tension between us, but she was trying.
"Thank you, Sapphire." I whispered behind a caring smile.
"Thank you for becoming the pony you are now." She replied, pulling away just a little bit to meet my eyes.
After a second, she let go and proceeded for the door to her unit, before coming to a stop and looking over her shoulder.
"Good luck on your end, Charger."
"You as well."
With a single nod, she opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind her after.
I stood up and continued onward.
Not long after, I heard my name leave someone's lips from behind in an attempt to get my attention. A familiar voice of a mare, no less. Red Glare.
I spun around to find her and her team trotting up to me. They were fully dressed in their power armor and battle ready.
I turned to face them completely, satisfied to find they made it out alive.
"Hey, Red!" I said as a smile spread on my features.
I reached a hoof out, and upon reaching me, she bumped it with her own.
I quickly noticed that the Steel Ranger's symbol on the chestplate of her and her team's armor was painted over in red; bearing the Nekkra mark.
Tactical Lancer chuckled as he stepped up. "Well, you did say to make it ours."
Scarlet filled in shortly after. "Thanks for directing us to Virtue, Charger. It's a shame it didn't really last, but... thank you, all the same."
Volcanic nodded silently, while the others murmured in agreement.
"It's nice doing something good for once." Lancer stated.
"I'm really glad to hear that." It was starting to hurt to smile at this point...
"We were actually looking for you in hopes we could make an offer."
I raised a brow, regarding her. "What is it?"
"We all discussed this and agreed that, assuming we're still alive by the end of all this, we would like to join your cause indefinitely. We're already committed." She proceeded to tap a hoof to the emblem on her chest. "Fuck the rangers. You're what we need. And I know a lot of others here are thinking the same thing."
Was it possible to die from admiration?
I grinned as a blush developed on my cheeks.
"Call me a diabetic, cause the kindness I've been getting today is too sweet. I think flattery is putting me in a coma."
The group shared a chuckle before I continued.
"I would love to have all of you in my ranks. It means a great deal to me that the feeling is mutual."
"Great!" Red Glare said cheerfully, before her and her units saluted in near unison.
I didn't need a mirror to know my blush grew darker.
Being a leader felt invigorating... Being looked up to. But there was a reason people were making me their leader, their influence. They respected me. Trusted me. Agreed with me.
I couldn't let this new power get to my head. I was... a bit terrified, actually. Of messing up. Of letting others down.
Of becoming another Bristle in the wasteland...
I still had room to grow and improve, but I liked to think that I had guidance to redirect me when I was in the wrong.
"At ease." I nodded slightly, to which they released their salute as I gave them my own. "Great to have you on board."
"Thank you, sir." Red Glare said.
A giggle escaped my lips as I took my hoof away from my forehead.
"No need to be too formal." I stated. "I see you more than military personnel. You're friends."
Red paused for a moment, before nodding.
"Right... Thank you, Charger." She laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head. "Sorry, I'm just used to how Bristle ran things."
"Always with the sirs, salutes, and ass kissing..." Lancer muttered. "We were lesser."
"I know all too well what you mean..." I drawled. "But you're not lesser here. We're all equal..."
A hoof tapped my shoulder, and looking down at my left, I saw the one and only Fluky staring up at me with sorrowful eyes; tears had washed down her face.
I turned back to the group of rangers. "Can I have a moment?"
"Of course." Red said casually. "Take care, Charger."
"You as well."
With that, they departed from the scene.
I looked back down at Fluky as a faint smile curled on my lips.
But she wasn't sharing it... Something was eating away at her. I could smell the foul stench, like a heap of rotten food. Like waste...
She looked a lot skinner than last time. To unhealthy proportions...
Suddenly, she rushed in and hugged my foreleg firmly.
"I'm so sorry, Robutt..." She whispered.
S-sorry...?
"For what?" I asked in a state of confusion. "What do you mean?"
"For what I said to you back in the bunker. How I treated you before you were gone."
"O-oh... Fluky." I slid my arm out from her grasp and wrapped it around her, bringing her in close. "You shouldn't worry about it. It was in the heat of the moment, I was distracting you. Our lives were on the line."
"That's true, but I felt horrible after I realized you were gone. My last words to you were telling you to go away... and you did..."
"But I came back." I grinned, nuzzling the top of her head. She giggled softly, but I could still smell the hate she had for herself in the moment. "I still gotta take care of my two sweet fillies. I ain't going anywhere."
"I thought you came back to stop the Nekkra attack." She looked up at me curiously.
I rolled my eyes, still smiling. "Well, yeah. That too." I looked down at her again, caressing her cheek with a hoof. She finally cracked a smile as her glossy eyes fixated on mine. "But I promised I'd take care of you, and I meant it. I love you, Fluky."
She murred under her breath as she clung to me. "I love you too, Rubutt... Thank you. For everything... For being there for me..."
"After everything that happened to you, it's the least I could do." I booped her on the nose, to which she went cross eye'd. She giggled again, before groaning softly, holding her hoof to her belly
I saw her bones sticking out through her hide...
She glanced up at me for a brief second, before sighing.
"Yeah, I... haven't been eating much..."
I raised a brow. "Why?"
She gave me a skeptical, narrow-eye'd look in response, to which I continued.
"Right... too sad to eat..." I took a deep breath. "Well, let's get some food, then. Fatten you up."
She smiled softly and held me close. "I'd love that."


(((((((◉)))))))


With it being late in the morning, the food line was gone entirely.
Aura's sentry sat at the other end, and atop its head was the hat Aura wore the day before.
Don't worry about the big robot." Fluky said as we approached. "He's just making sure everypony... or creature... gets an equal amount."
"Robot, huh?" I chuckled as she glared up at me.
"You're still a butt."
"And you're still Flukes."
She shook her head, but a weak smile crept on her lips as we stopped before the pot of soup between us and the sentry.
At least it wasn't a Handy unit...
We served ourselves and made our way to one of the various tables.
Nauticus and his bridge crew were the only other ones here.
As his eyes drifted to mine, a smile formed, and he said something to his crew, to which they turned to us and waved.
Smiling, I waved back, as did Flukes.
She lifted the bowl to her lips and began chugging, and within a minute, all the contents of her breakfast were transferred to her stomach.
She sighed with content before licking her lips clean, then proceeded to smile at me.
It took me a moment to realize I was staring. My mouth hung open a bit as my spoon stayed just out of reach from it. I put it down and chuckled awkwardly.
"Do you want more, hun?"
"No thanks!" She beamed as she rubbed her belly. "I'm good for now!"
"It must be really good, if you ate it that fast. What flavors should I expect?"
Before Fluky could speak, Wolfheart spoke from behind me.
"Communism."
He scurried off to the other side of the table on a variety of lanky tentacles before I could turn to look at him, to which he took a seat beside Fluky.
Aura was on his back, signaling both of us to stay quiet about her presence.
"So..." I started, before shoving a spoonful of soup in my mouth and swallowing. It wasn't that good in terms of flavor, but it wasn't the worst... Kinda bland. "How's that game of hide n' seek coming along?"
"Not good." He replied. "Aura's too good at hiding. I can't for the life of me find her."
"BOO!" Aura suddenly let out a scream as loud as she could muster, resulting in Wolfheart shrieking as his armor plating shrank down into his form, quivering as a small metal ball.
Aura and Fluky roared with laughter as she hopped off of him, rolling around on the ground, holding her gut with both arms as her hind legs kicked at the air wildly.
"You scared me!" He exclaimed. "Sneaky little filly! How did you even get up there!?"
"Secrets don't tell!" Aura continued to laugh uproariously.
He unraveled back into a 'pony' form - a loose definition of it - and looked down at Fluky as she began to calm down. He patted her on the head with a tendril.
"And how is my little arsonist doing?"
She smiled up at him in response. "A lot better now."
"I told you!" Aura shouted behind her laughter as she got up, wiping a tear from her eye. She took a seat beside her and nudged her shoulder, to which Fluky blushed.
Wait, her blood wasn't black...
Wasn't she infected?
"You were right..." Fluky laughed nervously.
"Did I miss something?" I questioned curiously.
Aura regarded me as she spoke. "I told her to stop hiding and talk to you. She had a chance to make amends, but she was hiding from it. There wasn't much else to it than that." She glanced down at the bowl of soup before me as her horn lit up, along with the grin on her face. "Hey, ya gonna eat that?"
I opened my mouth to say yes, but before the word could even leave my tongue, the bowl was ripped away from my reach through her magic.
"Yes. Aura, wait!"
She hastily grabbed the bowl with both hooves and began chugging the contents, a lot of which spilled and slid down her chin, neck, and chest.
Fluky was repulsed, and I almost was. But... well, she did take after me quite a lot...
Heh...
She tossed the bowl down with a satisfied grin on her face, before licking her lips. Her entire muzzle was covered in filth now.
"That was a no, right?" She asked as she studied my deadpan, cocking her head to the side. My ears folded back to her question.
"No..."
"Oh..." She sulked for a brief second, before shrugging. "Oh well. Too late now. I'll get you something better to eat." She grinned nervously.
I glanced back at the sentry that guarded the soup. I didn't wanna take the chance of getting shot, but I was tempted on trying...
"Charger Surge."
Gah, that fucking voice!
I turned around to face Omegas, fully dressed in his NCR ranger gear as always.
He nodded his head to his right. "Walk with me. We need to talk."
"You know, Omegas..." I stared flatly. "Starting a conversation with 'we need to talk' sounds like something bad is coming up."
He nodded slowly. "You're right. Now..." He took a step forward. "Walk. With. Me."
"Uh... okay...?" I stood up as my heart sank.
What was it this time?
"Oooo! I hear conflict!" Wolfheart grinned as his helmet contorted. "Can I come with?" He stood up and scurried around the table to us.
"Fine, whatever." Omegas snapped, before turning around and walking. Wolfheart followed.
I turned back to Fluky and Aura, smiling softly. "I'll see you two later." I put a hoof to my lips and blew them a kiss. "I love you girls very much."
"I love you too!" They both said happily in unison, before Aura blushed and looked away. Fluky giggled at her.
"I'll see ya later, daddy." The raider filly said behind a coy smile, looking up at me as her head remained in place.
I nodded, smiling back, and turned to Omegas and Wolfheart again, trotting after them as they continued their course.
The trip, for the most part, was silent. Wolfheart wasn't saying anything. He wasn't even really with us, since he was jumping from rooftop to rooftop and swinging around obstacles any chance he got.
"Omegas, I gotta ask..." I started as we approached the factory. "Is this about Petiole?"
"And what is up with Arum Petiole?" He questioned blandly.
"You mean... you don't know?" I raised a brow, looking at him, but he kept his head forward.
"Be more specific."
A small smile formed on my lips as a blush colored my cheeks black.
"Petiole and I are dating."
Finally, Omegas turned to me. "Petiole doesn't strike me as a gay."
"He's not." I replied. "But there's something about us that has us connect in some way."
"Huh..." He looked ahead again as we entered the lot. "Well, this is the first I've been hearing about it. Congratulations, Charger. Hope it works out for you."
"Thank you." I replied with contentment. "But... if this isn't about Petiole and I, then what is it?"
He nodded to the train that I just began to notice we were approaching on the other side of the lot.
Wolfheart caught up to us, but remained quiet.
"The majority of Virtue is seceding from the NCR, assuming there's anything left after this." He stopped at the side of the locomotive, looking up at the behemoth of an engine as he continued. "The Depot holds very little support of the secession." He turned to me and sighed.
Or rattled... Blegh...
"The New Canterlot Republic as a whole has labeled you as a threat. Much of the Depot agrees with them."
I sat down, nodding. "Okay... and where do you lie?"
"With the secession." He replied simply, turning back to the engine. "We've all looking for something good, and I've seen too much corruption within the NCR's ranks. The base idea they have is good, but... they don't know how to practice it properly. I see great potential in your group and ideas. We're all looking to you now."
I chuckled as I rubbed the back of my neck with a hoof. Why was everyone doing this today, of all days?
"Don't be too happy, Charger. There's going to be another war if we win this one. And it's going to follow too close behind."
"Right..." I hung my head down.
"On the bright side, if there ever was one, there's more supporters to your cause than not. So we have the train. If they try to take it, it will end poorly for them." He turned to me once more. "It's yours now."
"Whoa, what?" I balked. I swear, my heart tried escaping my body just then.
"Consider it a token of respect from us."
"Dibs on driving!" I blurted with a wide grin as I spun to it.
"Dibs on- ah, shoot!" Wolfheart kicked a steel-clad hoof against the ground in disappointment.
"Better luck next time." I said with a playful nudge to his shoulder.
"Alright, well..." Omegas turned around. "I'm gonna check on my guys." He raised a hoof to his forehead in a salute as he stood firm and straight. "I am under your command now."
With that, he departed, leaving me awestruck as I gazed up at the big boy.
A set of stairs led up into the right side of the sleeping cabin.
"C'mon..." I nudged Wolfheart again before trotting for the stairs. "Let's check it out."
"I was beginning to think you'd never say it..." He replied amusingly, slithering along the ground like an armored snake. He slid underneath me between my steps.
As he reached the stairs, several appendages shot out from him, sticking to the walls and ceiling to allow him to climb up and swing in.
He seemed to take pride in his abilities. Utilizing them for every day actions. He seemed happy with who and what he was.
So far, he seemed to have a very good mindset. I respected his ideas. He was nice. Caring for others. It was safe to say I was growing very fond of him.
As I made my way up the very small flight of stairs, Wolfheart opened the door at the top. He crawled in, and I followed.
To our right was the door to the next cabin. In this case, the locomotive itself.
Upon turning left were three doors along the train's right walls, leaving its left a relatively wide corridor that fit a small table and three chairs. At the other end of the corridor was the entrance to the turret car, sealed away by another door.
The doors to our left led to sleeping cabins, housing one bed each, and having enough space to make a small bedroom.
The beds were positioned against the wall, underneath the slitted windows that looked out at Dead Sector.
"Dibs on one of them!" Wolfheart blurted.
I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Very well. But you might have to share with Fluky and Aura."
"Done deal!" He replied cheerfully.
The interior of the turret car was the same as when I last saw it, so there was nothing really surprising there. But it was still a pleasant sight, all the same.
The car in the rear was exactly what I assumed it was. A tarmac.
On each corner of the landing pad was a red tinted light, and along the edges of the car was a metal railing.
The only thing missing was a vertibuck. But that was an easy fix. Hell, we came here in one.
Lastly, there was the locomotive. Inside was what I would expect in a steam engine.
A lot of coal, a furnace, and controls that I had no idea how to operate.
How the hell was I gonna drive this thing!?
"If I may..." Tuner spoke as Wolfheart and I studied the instruments. "Can I please, please, please, pretty PLEASE control the train?"
I stared down at my pipbuck with skepticism. "How do I know you're not just gonna fuck with me or my friends again?"
"Because I feel your pain, Charger. For the last time, I feel everything you do. Hurting you, or even lying to you, destroys me from the inside. And if I mess up, you could just yank my soul back out. Please, Charger..." He paused, and silence filled the room. "I'll make it worth your while. I promise."
I sighed as I put a hoof to my temple. "Alright, fine... what do I need to do?"
"For you, it's as simple as wanting the train to be a soul jar for me."
Uh... alright.
With a simple thought, Tuner roared with laughter over the horn of the locomotive, defying its purpose completely.
"HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAH! I'M A GOD!"
I let out an exasperated sigh as I planted my hoof in my face.
"What have I done...?"
Tuner proceeded to giggle happily, calming down a bit. "Don't worry, Chargie. I still serve your darkness."
My eyes darted up to the ceiling for some reason, as if looking at him behind a glare.
"Now hold on! That makes me sound evil!"
"Now, now..." Tuner chided obnoxiously loud. Everyone was hearing half of my conversation with him, and I didn't know how I felt about that. "What is it Nekkra Death said? Darkness doesn't mean evil."
"Right..." I muttered, poking my head out the side window and looking ahead at the tracks that went beyond the horizon.
A rail-guarded catwalk went along the side of the Big Boy, moved around across the front of the nose, and came back on the other side, from what I saw from the outside earlier. I spotted a series of ladder rungs next to the window as well, leading up to the top of the vehicle.
I was in love...
"Uh oh." Tuner said aloud over the train's horn. "I feel that. Charger's gonna fuck the train."
I swung my head around - again, at nothing in particular - glaring as I shouted. "Am not! Watch the volume and stop spreading lies!"
"I mean, I'd fuck the train." Wolfheart chuckled with arousal in his voice.
I sighed and hung my head down in defeat. "Ah who am I kidding...? I probably would too, if I was single." I quickly turned back at him, quickly adding. "But I'm not!"
Tuner laughed softly for a brief moment, before speaking with sincerity in his voice.
"Anyways... Thank you, Charger." He spoke through my pipbuck again, but I hadn't transferred his soul from the train.
I appreciated the confidentiality in our conversation that he was offering again. But I was still a bit flustered that he was toying with me like that, just a second ago.
"I've always wanted to be a train!" He continued happily. "And again, I'll make this worth your while. You'll love what I have in store."
"Alright, then." I turned to the doorframe beside the window I had been looking out of, before stepping out.
"Hey, where are you going?" I looked back to find Wolfheart tilting his head to me curiously.
"Still gotta check on things. And I need to retrieve my armor."
Upon jumping down, I smacked head first into a steel surface, before falling to the ground below.
"Motherfucker!" I screamed instinctively as pain and embarrassment flourished in my face.
I tore my head off the ground and looked up at Titan, who towered over me.
Well, that didn't bring back any good memories...
"W-when did you get here?"
"Just now."
"I didn't hear you approaching!"
"Then you were distracted."
I slowly rose to my hooves, sitting on my haunches as I looked up at him.
"Well... what brings you around these parts?" I asked nervously.
"The incessant screaming." He replied sharply. "I was coming over to tell you to shut the hell up."
"Awww..." A grin formed on my face as I ran a hoof over his. "You don't like getting a taste of your own medicine?"
He took a step back, tearing our physical contact apart.
"Fuck you too."
"Sorry, Tighty! I'm taken now!"
"Don't you dare ever call me that again!" He hissed.
"Your fault for choosing Titan as your new name!" I stuck my tongue out playfully, smiling up at him as I rested my back against the ground; crossing my hind legs and putting both fores behind my head.
He released a resigned sigh as he shook his head, still staring down at me.
My eyes lit up as a new idea dawned on me.
"Wait, can I ride you!?" I lifted my upper body up, supporting it with my fores.
"No."
"Awww, pleeeeeeeeease?" I begged, giving him the best puppy dog eyes I could manage.
"I said no, Charger."
"Well, so did he." Wolfheart stated as he stepped out onto the catwalk. "But that didn't stop you, now did it?"
Ouch...
My hoof crackled softly at the needless reminder that this was the same guy who raped my mother, killed her and my father, and raped me on several dozen counts...
Damn it...
Titan turned his head to Wolfheart.
"Can we not bring that up?"
Wolfheart grinned down at me. "Take what's yours, dad! Ride him! Ride him hard!"
Titan swung his head back to me. "You try anything, I'm gonna throw you into the ocean."
"Oooo!" I bit my lip as I gazed up at him with half-lidded eyes. "You wanna make me wet, huh?"
"For fuck's sake, I can't say anything! That's it!" He stepped forward over my body as I stared up at his stomach. "Eat my fucking ass!"
I laughed as he started to walk away, but the moment he stopped with his rear towered over me, I went quiet with the realization of what was about to happen next.
I started to get up as the sky began to fall...
"Wait, wait, wait! Titan, hold o-"
Everything became pain as I was pancaked into the ground. There was a full moon out now... And I was trapped under it.


(((((((◉)))))))


"Moon landing!" I shot up in a panicked breath, looking around frantically.
"There he goes again..." Titan muttered as Wolfheart laughed hysterically.
Hollow, Petiole, Bullet Storm, Sora, Dream Catcher, Wolfheart, and Oku were all around me.
Hollow sighed as she lifted her head to the giant behind me.
"Are you happy, Titan?"
"I won't lie, there was a lot of pleasure in shutting him up."
She rolled her eyes before looking back down at me. "Are you okay?"
"I just got crushed by an ass of steel." I replied, sitting up slowly. To my surprise, my coat was still clean. And my metal leg was still as good as new! Tungstian was durable as hell! "I felt every bone in my body crack like a bag of potato chips. I felt my organs get pulverized into paste..." I grinned as I cracked my neck. "I'm fucking perfect."
"I wish I had your enthusiasm." Sora said with a frustrated look on her features. "Because of this, we wasted five fucking hours waiting for you to regenerate. Health potions did fuck all, and your... puddle... rejected any biomass we tried to feed it."
"Seems you were so damaged, that even your virus needed a moment to recover in its own time..." Bullet stated.
"Why are you mad at me?" I asked hastily, shooting a look at Sora, to which her scowl answered.
"It's your fault for antagonizing Titan, and it's his fault for crushing you!"
Bullet sighed. "Stand down, Sora..."
The pegasus scoffed and adjusted her glasses, before taking to the skies and flying away.
Bullet rested a hoof on my shoulder as she looked me in the eye. "She's just stressed out. We all are... We didn't get as much recruitment as we had hoped from the east, and the supply drop left out some vital resources..."
"We're short on bodies, guns, and time." Dream filled in. "The Hub failed to listen to the Star Mother once again. It's not going to end well..."
"I can't believe they'd rather destroy an entire universe than give us the equipment necessary to deal with the situation at hoof." Bullet spat in disgust. "It was made abundantly clear she wants to keep this universe intact!"
"Calm yourselves." Hollow remarked coolly. "We still have some recruits, the bomb, and some tech. It's not what we needed, but it's what we got. Utilize it to the best of your abilities."
Bullet sighed as she rubbed her temple with a hoof.
"Fine..."
"It could be worse..." Hollow finished.
"I suppose you're right..." Bullet nodded as she turned to her. "It just... pisses me off that they'd go against their Goddess like that. We know what happens when we go against her wishes, and I really don't wanna have to see that for myself..."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." I stated as I stood up, stretching. The sensation of my bones popping had me grinning brightly as I groaned. "But something tells me that takes hours of explanation. So let's cut to the chase. What's the news on the Courser?"
"We haven't done anything about him yet." Petiole answered as he stepped closer to me. "We had to wait for you to come back." He reached around and pulled my refurbished barding off his back, holding it out to me. "Patched your armor up. Yet again..." He emphasized.
"Sorry, babe." I giggled awkwardly before leaning in and kissing him on the cheek. As I pulled away, he smiled faintly and reciprocated.
Mm! Butterflies!
Though, at this point, they could be tentacles.
Nekkra butterflies?
"Sorry to break the mood." Dream started. "But we should really take care of this Courser situation. We need him, especially after our order was declined."
"Right." Petiole nuzzled my cheek tenderly, forcing a giggle to escape me. I squeezed him for just a moment, and he returned my action.
"I'll get Charger suited up." He stated, keeping his eyes locked on mine. "We'll be ready within 30."
Bullet stepped up to us and patted me on the back.
"Be careful out there, Charger."
I looked over at her, raising a brow.
"You're not coming with?"
She shook her head. "Sorry, but I gotta give the new recruits a debriefing. They need to know what they're up against."
"I'd help you, but I don't know what good I'd do without destroying the Courser." Titan stated. "All I can do is wish you good luck on this."
"Thank you, Bullet. Both of you." I glanced back at Titan, wincing a little bit. It still didn't feel right thanking him, and the tilt of his head as he regarded me said he was uneasy about it, too. But he wasn't crushing my spine, so that was progress... I think.
"I'll get your group prepared." Hollow said, before nudging Oku and trotting away.
He followed beside her, and soon, the group disbanded.
I sighed softly as I returned my gaze to Petiole. He ran his hooves up and down my back, sending pleasant shivers through my body.
"I won't let anything bad happen to you..." He said in a near whisper, his muzzle inches from meeting mine.
"Well, okay, but don't go throwing yourself in the face of danger. I don't want anything bad happening to you, either."
We both shared a small giggle, to which I rested my chin on his shoulder. He did the same, and for a moment, there was silence between us. He may have been undead, but he was still warm to me...
Eventually, he pulled away, smiling softly.
"Let's get you dressed, then."
> Channel 003.4; Mr. Roboto
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Look out! Here comes Tom!"


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


A heavy rain pattered against the land of a once lively city; the shelter of the convenient store was the only thing to keep me dry, if not warm. The land was cast in the darkness of night. The thick, thundering storm clouds overhead sealed the moon and her stars away.
My only source of light was that of the red glare from my pipbuck.
I thought Saddle was bad, but Manehatten spoke a complete loss of hope to me... I couldn't imagine living in a place like this. It was so... desolate...
I leaned my back against the doorframe as I looked out into the darkness, sitting in the entrance.
The six story tower across from me was apparently the property of the Ministry of Wartime Technology, but much to our misfortune, it was just an office complex. The tech was likely stored elsewhere and probably already in someone else's hooves.
Atop the structure, I caught a brief blue glint of light.
With a hint of a smile, I nodded. My horn split apart into fragmented shards to orbit around the red, electric light in the center for a moment as a means of acknowledgement to Scope's little signal on the tower.
Lightning cracked the sky open periodically, casting its light down on the city in a split second, before darkness rushed back in. I wasn't seeing anyone out there, and my E.F.S. wasn't picking anything up, either.
But I knew my Courser was on his way. I broadcasted to him through the pipbuck, asking to talk. Something told me he wasn't interested in talking, but knowing his plan, he wouldn't pass up an offer like this.
There was something calming about the stormy night. The sound, the cold air... it was enthralling. Relaxing.
It was almost unfortunate that the events to follow were going to change that. Assuming control over the Courser was not going to be an easy feat. There was going to be a fight.
"You are a fool." His - or rather, my - voice spoke from my pipbuck. I looked around in all directions, but nothing was in range of my E.F.S., and I didn't see anyone else. "Did you really believe your plan was going to work out in your favor?"
"Where are you?" I asked. "Let's talk."
"I think not. Goodbye, Surge."
"Wait, wait! ... Hello? Are you there? ... Damn it!" I hissed as I stood up, looking out into the night. My hoof flickered with frustration.
An hour wasted!
"Charger..." Petiole spoke softly through the pipbuck, as if to not arouse attention. "I got movement... a lot of it..."
Immediately following his statement, several red blips appeared all around me on the E.F.S.
I backed up against the checkout counter, bringing my rifle forward and working my mouth around the bit.
With the crack of thunder, one of the blips vanished. At once, the others dispersed. I could hear hooves along the pavement outside. Too many...
"Hollow, pull us out." I said quickly.
"I can't." She replied in my head. "They've restrained teleportation."
"What?" I balked.
"Probably a jammer. Fight them off, I'll see about turning it off!"
"Fuck!" I bit my lip before quickly running around the counter.
As I did, a barrage of blue lasers shot into the building from several different sources, through the doorway and the windows.
With a yelp, I ducked behind the counter, wincing from the burns inflicted on me. The barding seemed to absorb most of it, at least.
With another thunderous crack, another blip left my sight. And another.
Rapid laser fire sounded all around me, mixing with the storm and the blasts of heavy duty sniper rifles.
One of the blips rushed from left to right, on the other side of the counter.
I reached into my saddle bags before pulling out an EMP grenade. We were all given a fair number to help against the Courser, but with the numbers I was seeing, there was no way we'd be able to get them all to fight for us. I hated that...
I pulled the pin and tossed it over the counter, keeping my head down. The blip started to race for the exit, but it couldn't outrun the timer.
The blast shook the room briefly, and almost immediately after, did I hear a body drop.
I peeked my head up to find a pony in a set of white, metal armor that I've never seen before, with a white, polished laser rifle of sorts. Property of the Institute, I could very well imagine.
"I got one!" I stated quickly over comms. "Onyx, Petiole..."
"I'll be there shortly. Try to keep from destroying as few as possible. We can still use these!" Petiole started to rasp from the strain to his voice.
I couldn't speak for everyone else, but I had the same sentiment. Without the Courser, this was the next best thing.
I darted around the counter and lifted the hoof of the unit, before dragging it back to cover.
A stream of laser fire struck my chest through the window, before traveling up to my neck.
I let out a choked gasp as fire burnt within me. My neck felt as if it had swelled. The virus inside me screamed.
The assault ceased just as another sniper round blasted its E.F.S. signal from existence.
I dropped to the ground, gasping and coughing. It was getting hard to breathe...
I crawled back behind the counter, pressing my six against it as my lungs fought for a steady supply of oxygen.
The battle outside was muffled and drowned out by an incessant ringing. I could barely hear the enraged cry of my hoof as electrical currents danced around the structure.
My pipbuck injected my body with the health potion I had stored within, and my throat slowly started to return to normal, but I was still gasping for breath in the meantime.
My vision went darker by the second as my lungs clawed for every ounce of air... until it couldn't anymore.
Well, I guess I could still die from suffocation. Added that to the list.
...
"... Charger..."
A voice spoke in the dark, calling out my name.
"Charger..."
"Mmh... D... Dad...?"
"Charger, get up." He spoke sternly.
There were no lights. Just darkness, everywhere I looked.
"I don't want to..." I found comfort in the darkness that swallowed me.
"You need to wake up..." His voice was desperate, as if something was wrong. "Charger..."
"Charger."
...
"CHARGER!"
My eyes shot open wide as I was shaken back into the world of the living.
Petiole let go of my shoulder, staring down at me behind a red LED. He sighed after a brief coughing fit.
"Thank Celestia..." He spoke softly through the battle outside.
Behind him, I noticed a second synth had been dropped beside the other.
My throat was still a bit sore, but I could breathe now, at least.
"Charger, look at me..." His hoof pressed to my cheek, redirecting my attention back to him. "Are you okay?"
I gulped with a nod, before taking his hoof in mine.
"I'm good..." I replied in a raspy, choked out tone, before slowly getting up. "I'm good..."
He backed up as Onyx trotted into view, stepping over the two bodies.
"Let's get this over with..." She started as she dug into her saddle bags. "There's synths roaming the entire city..."
Petiole stepped to her side as she pulled out a small, hoof-held, foldable device. Upon flipping open, a screen flashed on, and she began typing at ridiculous speeds I couldn't keep up with.
"This is a bit more advanced than what I'm used to..." Onyx kept her eyes glued to the screen as she typed. She quickly waved a hoof out as her wings took over the keyboard. "Go keep an eye out for anything coming our way. Petiole, this one's fighting. Gonna need your help."
As they got to work, I stepped up to the exit and peeked around the corner.
Blue lights flashed across the city, but the blips on my E.F.S. seemed far away enough to not be an immediate threat.
"Being stubborn with the hoofshake..." Petiole muttered. "Might have to force it..."
"What? No, that'll-"
"I know the consequences, Onyx." Petiole snapped. "But we don't have time!"
"Yes, we do! We just need to-"
They both fell silent as something began beeping from their vicinity. I turned around to find Petiole's LED lit the area in a blue glow, while Onyx balked at the screen.
"What did you do!?" She shouted.
"I didn't do anything!" He barked. "I'm forcing my way in!"
"No, we can't!"
"We're on the clock!" He started coughing violently.
"We can lose everything if we do!"
"Look at the timer, Onyx!" He pointed at the screen. "We will lose everything if we don't!"
"Stop!" I screamed, glaring at both of them as my hoof flared up. "Just stop fighting and get it done!"
Petiole nodded quietly as he resumed.
Onyx scoffed and shook her head.
Lightning tore across the night sky as I began to peek outside once more, and as it did, I caught a glimpse of over a dozen synths advancing on our location.
Just then, did a blue bolt of light strike the doorframe, mere centimeters from hitting me. I could feel my fur singe at the ends from the proximity.
I jumped back, biting down on the bit. "We got contact! Hurry up!"
"Just hold them off!" Petiole blurted. "Kill them if you have to!"
I wasted no time peppering rounds from my rifle back at them in retaliative efforts. I couldn't see them unless lightning struck, or if they fired. To my misfortune, the latter was happening more often than the former. That had me returning to cover frequently.
I bit my lip as a round burnt my shoulder through the barding.
"Damn it..."
I lifted my pipbuck to my lips and spoke. "Hollow, progress."
"It's like finding a needle in a haystack, it takes time!"
"Well, I'm kinda pinned here!" I screamed in frustration as a rapid barrage kept me from returning fire. My hoof roared with a high voltage. The pain in my shoulder was bringing out my bad side...
"Oh, shi-"
Before Petiole could finish, an explosion erupted behind me, throwing me forward as an immense pain enveloped my back.
Everything rang in a bad case of shellshock, but through it, I could still hear the hushed, blood curdling screams of Onyx.
It felt like my insides were being torched! I really wanted some Med-x right about now!
I quickly rolled over on my back, which I soon realized was a horrible idea. I cried out as I lifted myself up.
The two synths were obliterated, and Onyx and Petiole both laid on the ground.
Petiole wasn't moving, but his blip was still there. Onyx, however...
I stared in horror as her intestines sprawled along the ground, cut up and twisted. She wailed as she stayed glued to her side. Then I noticed her face...
How her left eye dangled from its socket, and her ear was no more.
I quickly rushed to her aid, picking up her intestines and shoving them closer to the gaping wound in her gut.
"Hang on, Onyx! HANG ON!" My muffled voice screamed over hers.
Blood gushed from her body. She was losing too much in such short notice.
I hastily reached into my saddle bags, but...
No...
No, no, no! Fuck, NO!
I pulled out shards of glass, dripping with the purple liquid my friends and I depended so heavily on.
"Fuck!" I grit my teeth, before looking down at her. Her body trembled as her screams became clearer, along with the battle and the storm.
I rushed to her saddle bags, but they were shredded...
I turned to Petiole last. His front seemed to absorb most of the blast.
I rushed over to him and soon discovered his bags were still intact. Yes! I dug into them with wild abandon, eventually finding his supply was still in good condition. I pulled them out and spun toward Onyx. Upon doing so, I was greeted with another synth charging in through the doorway.
It turned to me in a near instant and opened fire, striking my chest, and then the hoof that hugged the various potions to said chest.
I fell to the ground behind the counter, and through all the confusion, the pain, the noise, the fear... Only one thing pulled my attention elsewhere.
During my collapse, two of the three potions fell; the bottles shattering against the tiled floor...
My heart sank to the deepest depths in my chest as I stared in mortification. The purple puddle obscured with the dirt and grime of the floor, which was more than likely carrying diseases of its very own...
With the loud, thunderous blast of a high tech sniper rifle, the blip that the synth owned vanished, and the thud of a body dropping took place on the other side of the counter.
I quickly rushed back to Onyx, ripped the cork off the only bottle with my teeth, and pressed the neck of it to her lips, spitting the cork out shortly after.
She chugged relentlessly, though a lot of it spilled from her blood stained mouth as she struggled to do even that.
"C'mon, Onyx..." I said in desperation, watching as her body slowly began to restore. "Don't you fucking die on me..." I let out a pained chuckle before taking in a deep, shuddering breath. "Thunder will have my head for this..."
Onyx let out a small giggle of her own, before choking on the medicine. I began to retreat the bottle, but she hastily grabbed it with both hooves, pulling it back to her.
Her intestines were back in her body, but the regeneration stopped with a gnarly cut in her stomach.
She looked up at me with both eyes normal again, though her ear was mostly gone. Shredded was a more appropriate term. Back, but... shredded.
She tossed the bottle to the side and cried out as she sat up.
"We're gonna need to bandage that up..." I glanced down at the cut along her stomach.
She nodded slowly. "G-go check on Petiole... I'll take care of it..."
I nodded in turn, before rushing over to him and removing his helmet.
He was out cold, but it seemed the pink mist he exhaled was treating the injuries that breached his armor and affected him directly.
Something I was starting to piece together was the unique traits his armor had...
I remembered a while back, he faced a full on ranger-raider barrage of laser and lead without so much as staggering. He was a tank.
But now, an explosion took him out... Not even a major one like the one Crimson had unleashed to force his way into the shack him, Rivet and I had been hiding in. It packed a punch, sure. But for someone wearing armor like Petiole's...
There was something about that that felt off...
And I was gonna ask him about it later, because he sure as hell wasn't dying on me.
I slipped the helmet back on him and hoisted his limp form over my back. I turned back to Onyx, who was just now standing up with an entire roll of bandages wrapped firmly around her barrel.
"We need to get out of here. Can you walk?"
She nodded. "Y-yeah..." She winced. "I'm a tough mare. Just..." She chuckled painfully before knitting her brow. "Thunderwing is tougher..."
Another two blips started to close in on the entrance. I worked my mouth around the bit, aiming at the door they were coming to, and after observing my actions, Onyx readied her battle saddle.
Upon the first one entering, we both unleashed a stream of plasma energy and hot lead, only for it to return fire as it retreated.
I pulled out an EMP grenade and chucked it at the door after ripping off the pin with a fang, which continued to dangle around my tooth.
I turned to Onyx, urging her to the door across from the exit.
As we pushed our way into the enclosed garage, which housed a wagon, the EMP erupted. Upon looking back, I discovered the two synths managed to avoid its radius, as their blips were still moving.
Damn it!
I closed the door behind me and locked it as I navigated the pin off my fang, spitting it out.
Outside the garage door, I caught several other blips waiting outside. Scope or Thunder wouldn't have been able to get them from where they were.
We were cornered.
"Is the way clear?" Onyx asked as she regarded me.
I turned back to her with the shake of my head, before trotting to the back of the wagon and sliding Petiole inside.
The right back wheel was missing, but hopefully, that wouldn't cause any major issues.
"I'm gonna need you to do something for me..." I stated as I reached into my saddle bags for Chair.


(((((((◉)))))))


I stood firm, facing the garage door, bound to the harness of the wagon. There were too many synths out there for Onyx and I to take on alone. Even if Petiole was still with us, we wouldn't have stood a chance.
"I got them in my sight." Hollow stated over comms.
"On my mark." I replied casually, keeping my eyes glued to the threats on the other side.
The fragments of my horn popped out of place, dancing around the pillar of electricity sticking out from my head.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Onyx muttered, to which I looked over my shoulder at her. She held Chair out in front of her; two of the four legs perched on the railing as her wings were stretched out; displaying the dual plasma rifles.
"Probably not, but it's better than sitting around and waiting for them to move in."
With a hint of a smile, she nodded.
"Think you'll be okay?"
"My gut hurts, but I think I can manage. At least for now."
I turned to the button beside the door as the fragments spun faster, before releasing a short bolt of crimson Nekkra energy at it.
While the garage door slowly started to raise, the button was no more than a puddle of molten metal and plastic.
"Now!" I shouted through comms as the door groaned upon raising to the ceiling.
At once, a hollow blast came out from the distance - one I almost mistook for thunder. Soon to follow was a whistling that rapidly grew in volume, before a bright blue explosion rocked the land right outside the building; its glow flashing through the ever expanding gap between the door and the floor.
Several blips bolted to the left or right, before disappearing from my system.
The door raised above eye level like a curtain to a theater, revealing before us a blue fire over a variety of now expired synths, and a crater.
I bolted forth as some of the synths that had been knocked off their hooves started to recover.
"Charger, now!" Onyx shouted, to which I pulled the mental trigger in my head on demand.
Four beams of red death shot out from over my head, burning through a synth on my left, and swiping across the ground before me, cutting through two others. The cell depleted and pinged out, striking the top of my head before hitting the ground.
In its final moments, it had cut through the head of a synth that had been firing at the armed pegasus.
"You good!?" I called out in a full canter.
"Yeah! Reloading!"
As we advanced across the lot to the main road, several shots whizzed by, striking either the ground at an attempt to trip me, or the wagon. Though one of the shots struck the harness.
I spun my head around frantically as I darted for the parking garage due south across the street, which was bound to a hotel.
Though I couldn't get any clear sights on them, I saw two blips on my left, firing away at Onyx and I. There were five others with the same incentive as we pushed south.
Atop the hotel roof, I caught glimpses of a few muzzle flashes, before Thunder's location was blocked out by the four story parking garage. The two blips on the left ceased to be.
"NOW!" Onyx screamed through the rolling thunder as lasers swept in from the right.
As searing pain burnt into my side, I fired Chair; Onyx swinging it around in their direction blindly before it ceased...
... And with only one of them dead.
They resumed fire, burning me through my barding as I charged across the four-way intersection.
"AGH!" Onyx cried out, which was enough evidence for me to know she had been shot... "Charger!"
"Just hang on!"
"C-Char..." Her voice grew weaker...
"HANG ON!" I screamed through hot, frustrated tears as I ran down the road between a fire station and the garage complex.
The barrage ceased, only because we were out of view.
My horn and hoof grew enraged as several more blips appeared before me.
Just as I was coming to the entrance of the garage, did a firing squad of seven synths run into view, blasting away.
In retaliation, as waves of blue struck me and the wagon I carried in tow, I unleashed a beam of Nekkra death, cutting clean through their forms. Only two had managed to fall back into hiding.
I turned left into the entrance of the garage, but in doing so, the wagon tilted. Without a wheel to support the right rear end, it became useless!
"Damn it!" I bit down through the fabric of the barding around both forehooves a few times, and as I bled through them, my claws emerged.
I unlatched myself from the harness and ran around to the back.
The four blips on my E.F.S. were closing in on our six, but the two further synths remained stationary for the time being.
Onyx was laying beside an unconscious Petiole, wheezing as she stared into the nothing. Patches of fur were burnt away around her chest.
"Onyx..." I reached a hoof out to her, but she looked over and cracked a smile.
"D-don't go infecting me now..."
I withdrew my hoof as she stood up feebly.
"Get on my back, at least."
She nodded. "Y-yeah..." And with that, she collapsed atop me, draping over my back with Chair still in her grasp.
My claws extended out to Petiole, wrapping around his armored form like tendrils. I pulled him out of the wagon, set him against the ground carefully, and as I advanced into the garage port, I dragged him behind me.
On the bright side, there was a stairwell to the far right. I moved hastily for it, as the blips on both sides were moving in with the intent to finish the job.
As we neared the door to the stairwell, a sharp, burning pain enveloped in my rear end, causing me to stagger.
As I fell, Onyx tumbled off of me, holding Chair out as she spoke in a desperate attempt to be heard over the laser fire.
"N-now!"
It took me a moment to comprehend it through the agony, but I executed her demands.
The barrage soon ceased, and Chair's cell pinged out, clattering along the concrete.
I stood up, as did Onyx. But instead of getting on my back again, she clumsily proceeded for the stairs.
I followed in her hoofsteps before closing the door behind me and locking it. It seemed she disposed of the four remaining synths that she had missed earlier, judging by my E.F.S.
"Thunder, can you hear me?" I said as Onyx gradually climbed each step with great effort.
"Yeah..." She sounded a bit worn out...
"Onyx and I are in the stairwell to the parking garage. We're all pretty banged up... Onyx needs help..."
She looked back with a pained look in her eyes. "I'm good, I'm good... I'm tough, I can make it..."
"I'm on my way..." Thunder spoke in a near whisper.
Onyx sighed as she leaned against the wall, before slumping over and laying on the stairs. There were still two synths out there, presumably at the entrance where the former had been, judging by their location. They weren't moving, though. I think they were waiting for reinforcements.
I could still hear my friends out there, fighting in the distance. And I couldn't do anything. Onyx was dying, and I couldn't fucking do anything! Petiole was hurt, and I couldn't. Do. Anything!
I let out a worn exhale as I released him from my grasp, retracting my tendrils back to claws.
I sat beside Onyx, looking down at the bottom step.
"Life's a sadistic, fickle bitch..." She murmured under her breath, before giggling softly.
I looked over with a raised brow. "Where'd you hear that?"
She proceeded to wave a careless hoof at Petiole. "Your boyfriend." She took in a deep breath before adding. "He's right, though..."
I shook my head and sighed. "C'mon... let's keep going."
"No..."
"Please, Onyx..."
"I don't want to..."
"I'll carry you..."
"I just wanna... rest..." She finally locked her eyes on mine. "Please, Charger. I don't want to move anymore... I don't want to do anything. Just rest..."
Silence filled the empty, dark stairwell; only the light of my hoof and pipbuck granted us sight, though it was very limited.
"I like it here..." She said in a near whisper. "The darkness, the way the sound echoes off the walls... It's... relaxing. Makes me wonder where I'm going after all this..."
"Ony..." Thunderwing said from behind, catching me off guard. I didn't hear her coming. It made sense to me that pegasi would have stealth to their name.
I looked back at her to find she looked rather beaten, too...
I stood up and went to Petiole, giving her my initial spot.
She sat down and wrapped an arm around her friends, to which Onyx murred softly, nestling into her and closing her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Onyx..." Thunderwing whispered in her ear behind a choked sob. "I got jumped by a few synths... I used all my health potions, but they didn't do what they needed to..."
"That doesn't matter..." Onyx replied. "You're here now... with me..."
Thunder squeezed her gently, before placing a gentle, affectionate kiss behind her ear.
Onyx moved her head around and kissed her chest in response.
"Thunder, I'm scared..."
The former raider winced as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I-I..." Onyx whimpered. "I need to tell you something..."
"What is it...?"
"Come closer..."
Thunder glanced up at me for a moment, before inching her ear next to her trembling lips.
She whispered something. I was unsure what, but I wasn't set on finding out. It wasn't my place.
Thunder's eyes locked on hers as she pulled away, her mouth hanging open as her brow knit.
Onyx smiled wanly, caressing her cheek as she stared up at her.
"Fight for me..." She spoke in a near whisper.
Thunder grit her teeth as she held her friend tight.
Petiole was still out cold. There was nothing I could really do right now... I felt so useless...
Onyx murmured as her head went limp, but soon after, she shook herself and looked up at Thunderwing again.
"Thundy?" She asked with a gentle tone.
"Yes, Ony?" She replied with a hint of a smile, though heavily obscured with mental anguish.
"Will you go on a date with me...?"
Thunder broke down into tears right then and there. "Y-yes, Ony... of course I will..."
"Yay..." She smiled softly as she closed her eyes. "I'm so happy right now... I love... you..." Her voice softened, and her body began to loosen up, taken over by gravity's pull.
Thunderwing wailed, holding her friend tight as Onyx's blip on the E.F.S. vanished...
I didn't know what to say... if I should have said anything...
I sat down, pressing my back against the wall instead.
Onyx was my friend, too. It hurt losing her. But Thunderwing and her knew each other longer... They had history...
She lifted her head up to her own, lightly pressing her lips against Onyx's, to which she whispered under her pained breath.
"I love you, too..."
A series of hooves began to advance on the other side of the door, and turning around, I witnessed many more red blips than earlier. A big chunk of the north on my compass was no more than a patch of red.
Right outside...
"Charger..."
I turned back to Thunder as she got up; eyes fixated on the door with murderous intent.
"Go find your kids..."
I shook my head. "Thunder, no. Not witho-"
"I'm not fucking asking." She sneered.
"You'll die!"
"Like hell I will! I ain't going down when there's some killing needed doing. Now fuck off. Let me have this..."
I sighed, shaking my head as I cast my eyes down. "Damn you, Thunder... If you die, I'm going back up to the Everafter just to smack you upside the head and scream 'I told you so.'"
"Bold of you to assume that's where I'll end up..." She muttered as I lifted Petiole on my back. "I saw your kids running for the train tracks earlier."
I nodded as I grabbed Chair, then proceeded up the stairs as Thunder got battle ready. I looked back at her as I stopped halfway up to the second floor of the structure.
"Good luck, Thunder..."
"You as well." She replied as she spread her wings, aiming at the door that was now being rammed against. "Now go away. You're distracting me."
I raced up the stairs, and by the time I hit the third floor, I heard two doors burst open; the second and first floor, presumably. It was soon followed by gunfire and Thunder screaming.
"GIVE ME YOUR FUCKING WORST, YOU GLORIFIED TOASTERS!"
Upon climbing the next flight of stairs, I burst through the door.
A heavy, hard, cold rain slammed into my face as I ran back out into the night for the edge of the building.
In the midst of my canter, Petiole began groaning softly.
"C-Charger...?" He whispered in my ear. "W-what... where are we? What happened?"
I stopped at the edge, looking out into the dark city. I saw landmarks only between the brief flashes of lightning across the sky.
In various parts of the city, I could see more fights against the synths from my friends.
"Charger..." Petiole dismounted my back, now standing at my side as he regarded me through blue lights. "Answer me."
"Onyx is dead..." I said simply as I stared out into the black. Another flash of lightning revealed the train tracks to me, off to the south. Atop its tracks was a long since abandoned train, and I caught a brief view of Wolfheart and Aura there, hopping up into one of the cars as a strike team advanced on their location.
As the heavy roll of thunder began to subside, Petiole hung his head down, sighing.
"Fuck..." He proceeded to bring his pipbuck up, speaking into it. "Kill them all on sight. Don't worry about sparing any, it's no use."
"Petiole, wh-" I began to interfere, but he cut me off.
"The synths have explosives built inside them. Hacking them triggers the detonation. It's pointless trying..."
That...
To me, that wasn't just warning the others about the situation... That was a call of hopelessness...
Onyx died for this... This was admittance that she died for nothing! I wasn't letting this happen again! NOT AGAIN!
We had wasted time, energy, resources, and more importantly, a friend's life for this! We were getting something out of it, one way or another!
I pulled up my pipbuck, screaming as tears and rain ran down my face.
"Kill them all! We're not going home until they're all dead! If we can't have them as units, then we'll just take their fucking guns and armor!"
"Copy." Scope replied. "Weapons hot."
"Hollow, once you find their jammer and destroy it, call in reinforcements."
"Copy." She replied.
I turned to Petiole to find he was looking through his scope, scanning the streets below.
"I have to go down there and check on my kids. Are you good up here?"
"Yeah." He replied just after taking a shot. "Be careful. Don't go getting yourself killed too..."
"Wouldn't dream of it... anymore..." I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before continuing. "Thunderwing is taking on a lot of synths downstairs. Her fury says they're all gonna die before she does, but just in case..."
"I'll take care of it." He stated casually.
I dug my claws into the concrete railing and hoisted myself over after putting Chair in my saddle bags. From there, I proceeded to climb down the building. So far, I had gone unnoticed, so that was the smallest bit of relief I was given. But there were a few synths down there, standing as lookouts.
Just as I reached the second floor, a blip raced across my E.F.S., and Thunder darted out from the building.
The synths reacted with immediate assault, but by the time they could fire, one of them was already on the ground, twitching in an electrical mess. It was then that I noticed Thunderwing was wearing powerhooves. Furthermore, her battle saddle was fitted with Onyx's plasma rifles.
As she crushed its head with brute electric force, one of them fired point blank into her side, while the others fell back to a safer distance.
She screamed first in pain, but then anger... She was fueled by it.
And then came the laughter.
She swung around, upper cutting her next victim. The synth's head rocketed from its body, and without skipping a beat, she sped after the last target in the street.
They fell just after getting a shot in Thunder's wing. She didn't seem to pay it any mind, though. As the target's blip flickered away, she stared silently down at it from where she stood.
I dropped to the street and came up from behind.
She looked over her shoulder at me, scowling. She was beaten and bruised from the fight she went through. Black oozed from various parts of her. But she proved she was a one mare army.
"Hey, killer." She said in a tempered voice.
"Hey... I'm sor-"
"Shut up."
I paused for a moment, before turning south. I took a few steps, before my hooves decided to glue themselves to the asphalt. I turned back to her.
"Her death won't be in vain..."
Thunder stared ahead in silence, continuing to face away from me, giving me incentive that this conversation, if it could even be called that, was over.
I turned my head back south and started to walk.
"Her life wasn't worth a bunch of guns and armor..."
That stopped me dead in my tracks. Like I just stepped into a deep pocket of mud. I was stuck... and sinking...
I closed my eyes, taking in the feeling of the cold rain washing over me as the frigid storm wings relentlessly pushed against me.
"I know..."
Thunderwing's hooves trotted away from behind me. I began moving again, though I felt wrong. Like moving wasn't right. Breathing was a sin against nature.
I couldn't save Onyx...
And the same thing that I felt when I lost Snow Star was infecting my body. A voice in my head told me things... my voice...
"I'm useless. Broken. I hate myself. I'm a failure."
I shook my head, pushing that voice back as I fought myself to start running. It took an absurd amount of mental effort, but I eventually broke into a full canter.
I didn't want to think anymore. I only wanted to save my friends and family.
I had to get my head back in the game.
Ahead of me was a park overgrown with once lively vegetation. As I approached the corner of the fire station on my right, several blips popped into view around the south, and a series of guns went off. But none were targeted at me.
As a gauss rifle blasted in retaliation, I heard an upbeat song playing in the distance, through the firefight.

Dark in the city, night is a wire
Steam in the subway, earth is a fire

I began to race across the street, but just as I moved away from the building's corner, did I receive a light show against my right side.

Woman you want me, give me a sign
And catch my breathing even closer behind

I yelped from the sudden wave of pain that washed over me, and as I retreated back for cover, I turned my rifle on the various synths down the street. Most of my shots failed to hit their targets, and the ones that did, did next to nothing in my favor.
"Damn it!" I hissed in both frustration and pain as I slammed my side against the brick wall. I didn't have time for this!
The music became even more upbeat. If I wasn't in danger, I would have actually enjoyed listening to it right now!

In touch with the ground
I'm on the hunt, I'm after you
Smell like I sound, I'm lost in a crowd
And I'm hungry like the wooooolf!

My heart pounded in my chest as the virus I once saw as no more than a parasite begged me to stop and rest. My mind was in agreement, but my heart said no.
My friends were in danger. I wasn't going to stop until they were safe.

Straddle the line, in discord and rhyme
I'm on the hunt, I'm after you
Mouth is alive, with juices like wine
And I'm hungry like the woooooooooooolf!

I popped around the corner and opened fire at whatever moved down the street. As lasers blasted at me in immediate retaliation, I retreated back behind cover with only one shot grazing my ear.
There was no flesh to consume, and health potions were doing fuck all for Thunder and I right now, even if we had any left. I was starting to think the virus was having a negative effect on it...
I didn't just need to save my friends. I needed to be careful doing it.
"Charger." Tuner spoke in my head as the music continued on to blast through this part of the city.
"What?" I asked aloud, wincing through the pain.
"You need help. Put me in your pipbuck."
"Pardon me for not trusting you with my life..." I snapped.
"I know... I fucked up. But I can help you. Remember... I feel your pain, too... Please. Let me help you..."
Rolling my eyes, I willed his soul back into my pipbuck, to which he spoke from it.
"Thank you... Now, let's kill us some fucking Domo Arigota Mr. Robotos. For Onyx."
"For Onyx." I replied dryly as I peeked around the corner once more...
The world immediately moved at a snail's pace, mentally stunning me for a moment before realizing Tuner slipped me into SATS. And that was only after the accuracy percentage chances displayed themselves in red over the targets ahead.
There were eight. Five of them stayed fixed on my location, and immediately entering SATS, one of them fired an endless stream of blue light in my direction, closing in a lot faster than I would have liked.
I didn't have too good of a chance to hit any of my targets, but I did have a new idea...
"Pull me out, Tune."
"Got it."
As the world began to speed back up to regular time, I returned behind cover. Lasers peppered the brick wall, slowly chipping away at its integrity.
I dug a claw into my saddle bags and pulled out an EMP grenade, accompanied with Chair.
I stood up on my hindlegs, and as I unfolded the weapon, I bit the pin off the grenade. I peeked around the corner and chucked the explosive, only for it to land about half a block away.
...
"... That was weak..."
"Shut up..." I deadpanned as I watched it detonate, damaging nothing but my pride.
Electricity caressed the wet pavement around where I stood as I felt a twinge of anger start to boil into something more dangerous.
It took me a moment, but I soon realized that the song that was blasting in the distance was playing over on loop. There were small moments where I caught Tuner humming along to it.
The barrage of lasers coming at me mostly struck the wall, clouding my vision with powdered brick as it sprung from its foundations. I returned to cover, pressing my back against the structure and looking up at the sky in annoyance. At least I didn't get hit that time...
"Son of a bitch..." Why was I sucking so hard right now!?
"They're advancing on our position." Tuner stated quickly. "I think they're gonna try and-"
In a moment's notice, the atmosphere around began to bend and warp to the sound of an almost artificial rushing wind. Pillars of bright blue electricity formed at ground level, and upon exploding into a blinding flash, I was thrown to the ground.
I felt blood trickle out of my head as all sound around me came to a slow once more.
I could count each rain drop that hit my body, and the sound of thunder drawled on.
It took some time due to SATS being in effect, but I rolled over on my back to look up at four synths, all getting ready to blast me into oblivion.
Chair escaped my grasp by a foot, on a rough estimate.
I watched intently as they all levitated their rifles to me at a snail's pace.
My head was throbbing... It hurt to think, I felt woozy, and I was loopy brained... I think I had a concussion...
"Don't think for too long..." Tuner spoke softly. "Or too hard, for that matter... You're on the clock."
My hoof was flickering with a slow dance of death. With a quick buck, if the voltage was strong enough, I could easily end one of the four.
But I needed more anger.
More...
These were Onyx's killers...
And if the stories were true, this was the same organization that terrorized a big chunk of the wasteland and kidnapped other creatures for whatever crazy experiments they were conducting.
They refused to work with us to destroy an evil that threatened all forms of life on Equus. They risked everyone's life by not helping. By being stubborn.
They risked everyone's life even further by trying to take out the group that sought to keep Equus safe from a world-ending parasite.
I was gonna kill them all...
I targeted the synth towering over me and quickly pulled my hoof back, before slamming it into its chest. A loud roar of thunder burst between us, and as it seized up, the world began to speed back up.
I rolled to the right and grabbed Chair, before swinging around and swiping the blades across the head of my second target. It fell instantly to my cause.
As I started to stand up, the remaining two opened fire, burning away at me. Had it not been for my barding taking a lot of the damage, I was sure I would have been done for there.
I let out an angry roar as I swung Chair to my front and gave them a taste of their own medicine. Their bodies slowly melted away before me into a collective puddle of what was once synthetic components. Their armor wasn't recoverable, but their weapons were.
The searing pain in my chest was starting to take its toll on me. My legs quivered under my weight, and it hurt just to breathe, let alone live.
I stumbled for the corner of the building again, wheezing. I wasn't sure I could even fight.
I clumsily popped a new cell into Chair, before being thrown into a violent fit of coughing. My body hated me...
Black dripped from my lips as I spat. My head felt like a thin layer of glass that could crack at the slightest jolt.
Once again, the world around me slowed down.
"Take your time to rest..." Tuner spoke softly.
"N-no... I need to-"
"What you need is to not get killed. You'll have plenty of time to take on the rest, but right now, you need to recuperate with the time I'm giving you. As best as you can, anyways... considering the situation we're in..."
"... Alright... fine..."
Something I was starting to recognize over my rest was that pain really was in the mind. Part of it, anyways. While my body was affected by SATS, my mind and thoughts moved in real time, and with that, the pain that was inflicted on me was subsiding faster. At least, through the perception of someone that wasn't in SATS.
I was still severely injured. This wasn't going to heal my wounds. But it helped me recover.
So I sat there, and I waited... What was probably a minute or two in the real world was a few hours for me. In that time, I took a liking to count the raindrops hitting my hide again.
I pressed my cheek against the brick wall to my right and closed my eyes.
"How close are they to reaching me?"
"Close." Tuner replied blandly. "You ready?"
I chuckled softly. "Nope... But let's do it."
I pulled my last grenade from my saddle bags and pulled the pin, and with as much haste as I could muster, I swung my arm around the corner, chucking the present down the street at the four red blips in my E.F.S.
The world began to speed up finally, and as the team dispersed, I unleashed a rapid stream of lead at one of the four, occasionally finding little gaps in their armor and demolishing them from the inside.
The grenade erupted, ensnaring two of them in its radius and causing them to expire.
The one I had directed fire on fell from the blast, but was still active. Though their lower half was obliterated, causing them to crawl.
The last one left standing spun around and opened immediate fire, causing me to hide behind cover once again.
Their blip vanished, and before too long, I heard that same synthetic rush of wind as light cast my shadow before me.
I spun around and jumped back, shielding my eyes as it grew in intensity.
As the electricity surged out with an unnatural, softened thunder, I looked down the sight of my rifle and peppered relentlessly at the figure that rushed out of the rapidly diminishing light. To my misfortune, my rounds didn't find many places to breach.
As they began to raise their rifle, I swung Chair out, throwing it across the space between us and striking the unit in the chest.
The blades surpassed their armor, and as they staggered from the blow, I rushed in for the kill.
As my forehooves found purchase on the wet asphalt, I lifted both rears off the ground, flipping forward.
My electricity-embraced hoof bore down on the distracted synth's head as I landed on my back, to which I was greeted with the roar of thunder and a malfunctioning unit seizing between my legs.
I turned my attention to it as it collapsed on my lower half, before kicking its limp form off of me.
Damn, I loved Tungstian!
Hollow would have been so proud...
I rolled back onto my hooves, grabbed Chair, and began my approach on the downed synth that continued to try to crawl to me.
"You're pretty determined on taking me out, huh?"
As I expected, I wasn't given an answer. They didn't seem like the talking type.
Once it was close enough, it reached its hooves out to me. More specifically, my neck.
With Chair's legs all meeting together, I lodged her blades through its head. Its expiration was long overdo.
The music continued to blast its third rerun, on the other side of the park, lacing with the battle Aura and Wolfheart were facing. It was hardly combat worthy, but it was definitely catchy.
Judging by the lyrics and the upbeat, dance-worthy, addicting tune, I had a good idea who was blasting the music.
I began my advance on the park, finding myself subtly moving along to it.

In touch with the ground
I'm on the hunt, I'm after you
Smell like I sound, I'm lost in a crowd
And I'm hungry like the woooolf!

Time and time again, music had proven useful to me in battle, and while I was still pissed about what happened to Onyx, and severely hurt, I found that the music was helping me along. Now I could slaughter her killers with style... and that got me excited...
My mind was all over the place.
Angry... Mournful... Excited...
Dear stars... Was I a mad pony!? I sure hoped that concussion didn't cause any permanent damage...
Gah, I'd worry about that later! Less thinky, more shooty! Or stabby!
I charged through a section of broken, twisted metal fencing and through dead shrubs. Mud and rain water dripped from my form as I advanced on the other synth party from behind.
Ahead, along the treeline on the other end of the parkgrounds, I saw a small group of synths firing at the abandoned train that Aura and Wolfheart had been using as shelter.
Mama's Gun swung around the opening of the car in her magic and returned fire. Her charged shot struck one of her targets in the shoulder, but it didn't bring them down.
Her blip was directly ahead on my E.F.S., but Wolfheart's was way off to the left... and moving around frantically.
Just as I expected, the music was coming from his direction.
I crouched behind a fallen tree and looked through my scope, sending individual shots to the back of one of my target's head.
Some of them turned around almost instantly, including the one I shot, and proceeded to release a barrage of laser on me. I was convinced the park would have been set ablaze, had it not been for the heavy downpour.
To my fortune, their rapid fire wasn't concentrated, and that led to a lot of misses. The exact reason why I usually worked with semi-auto! That, and ammo preservation...
As I returned to cover, peeking over the top of the log I hid behind, Aura poked her head out and focused her next shot, before sending a beam of gauss energy straight into the six of one of the three synths.
Their head blew apart just before their body hit the ground in a twitching mess.
As one of the remaining spun back to her, she retreated for cover. It started to advance on her location, and that was when I noticed the music was getting even louder...
Wolfheart's blip raced from left to center, and soon enough, I saw him charging through the park, wielding fragments of his traditional Steel Ranger power armor, accompanied with broken down synth plating. He moved on a variety of spindly tendrils, before swooping the synth off the ground, raising its helpless form over his own and tearing him in two. He proceeded to shove both ends into his body.
The final synth spun around and opened fire on its most immediate threat, but several plates of steel moved before him, forming a poorly made, but still effective wall. It was enough to protect him from the assault.
He screamed through the blaring music as he lunged forward, stabbing several of the jagged pieces of armor fragments into the back of our enemy.
"NO ONE HURTS MY LITTLE SISTER!"
And in one quick motion, he swung a tendril around its neck, twisting its head clean off the rest of its form.
The music came to an abrupt stop as he dropped the body and turned to me, breathing heavily. Rage seemed to overtake him...
... And then, in a near instant, he waved a tendril at me, beaming.
"Hey, dad!"
"H-hey... Wolfheart..." I waved back in a timid manner before hopping over the log and approaching my children.
In that time, Wolfheart returned to his pony form. He was a lot bulkier now with all that plating he had been gathering. But that only meant he had more protection. He was still as flexible as ever. It was impressive, to say the least.
He slouched as I stopped before him, and as the lower half of his helmet split apart, black dripped from his maw.
"Blegh!" Out came fragments of the synth I watched him absorb just moments ago. "It tastes like fucking tofu, and there's no nutritional value in it whatsoever! Gross!"
Aura stumbled out into the open, giggling under her breath as she lifted a health potion from her saddle bags and pulled the cork off with her magic.
One of the first things I noticed was the gnarly wound in her side before she started chugging. That struck a nerve deep within me...
"Are you okay, little one?" Wolfheart asked as we both regarded her.
After relentlessly gulping down the contents and tossing the empty glass bottle aside, only for it to shatter, she nodded with a pained smile.
"Better now. Though the piece of walking trash that you screamed at wasn't the one that got a lucky hit in."
Wolfheart giggled. "Well, I had to take my anger out on something, after seeing one of the best damn fillies the wasteland was gifted with get shot. Speaking of which..." He rubbed his claw underneath his chin, cocking his head to the side a little. "What's your kill count?"
Aura grinned proudly as she sat down on her haunches, leaning against the doorway. "I'm currently sitting on eight kills!"
"Ah, what!?" Wolfheart huffed as he kicked some dirt. "I only got six! How are you so good at this!?"
She giggled happily, holding her hooves over her stomach. "Maybe it's my talent! But don't worry! You'll catch up!"
With that, she pulled her pack out and slid a cig between her lips before lighting up with a spark of magic. She proceeded to take a pull off it.
As she put the pack away, Wolfheart spun to a car to the left of us.
"Time for my prize!" He scurried along to the sealed compartment and wrapped a variety of tendrils around the handle, pulling at it with wild abandon.
"Aura, dear! Cover me?"
"Mhm!" She levitated her rifle to her side again as I approached. "So what's your count?" Taking another pull.
"Wasn't keeping track..." I replied in a somber tone, hopping into the car and sitting on my haunches beside her. "Sorry."
"Hey..." She nudged my shoulder, looking up at me. "You okay?"
I smiled wanly as I regarded her, before placing a gentle kiss atop her head. "I'll be okay..."
A suit of power armor slid along the ground below us, before coming to a stop. Seconds to follow was Wolfheart, who pounced on the suit and began stripping away its metal components to reinforce himself even further.
"Having fun there?" Aura giggled softly, before exhaling a torrent of smoke.
"Always!" He replied giddily as he tossed the shredded power armor frame out of view.
"I need you two to go to the garage port and regroup with Petiole." I said quickly as I stood up. "Have either of you seen Oku?"
They both glanced at each other for a brief moment, before returning to me and shaking their head.
"Chances are he's just being Oku." Wolfheart remarked.
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" A familiar zebra asked as he stepped out from the darkness of the park.
He looked fairly beaten up. I think we all were, to an extent. But he was still breathing, at least.
"It means you're a recluse." Wolfheart replied.
Oku rolled his eyes and stopped before me.
"I think I found the jammer, but it's heavily defended. I can't seem to get a hold of Hollow. Can you?"
I brought up comms on my pipbuck and spoke on the open channel.
"Hollow, can you hear me?"
The growing silence on the other end was worrisome...
"Hollow, are you there...?"
"Yeah... Yeah, I'm here. Sorry about that... Got ambushed..."
"Are you okay?" I asked with great concern in my tone.
"I'll live... But these fuckers enjoy catching me by surprise..."
"Hollow." Oku started, stepping closer to me. "I think I found the jammer."
"Let me guess..." She drawled. "On top of a tower filled with synth activity?"
"That's the one..." Oku replied flatly.
"It's always a tower..." She sighed. "Alright, regroup at the Super Duper mart. Scope, Petiole. Cover us?"
"Copy." Petiole replied, before Scope took over comms.
"I'm looking at the tower right now, and there's a lot of activity on the roof, but I'm not seeing anything that could be a jammer. At least, not from here."
"I'm looking at the roof right now, and it's there." Hollow jumped in. "But there's an energy field keeping it safe from ballistic damage. We're gonna have to go up there and disable it manually."
"Does this mean we have to climb more towers...?" I deadpanned.
"Uh, hello?" Thunder snapped. "Pegasus here? Y'know... flying, bloodthirsty pony with an insatiable thirst for revenge? Now quit talkin', and let's kill us some motherfucking walking garbage cans already!"
Wolfheart and Aura grinned ecstatically before racing off for the rendezvous.
With a very brief glance at Oku, we smiled at each other and chased after them.
Several red blips popped into my E.F.S. as we ran through the muddy park, to the northwest. Soon enough, as we started to reach the breached fencing, a squad of synths appeared around the corner of the fire station, opposite of where I had been taking cover earlier.
"To my right, you delicious sacks of flesh!" Wolfheart shouted as all his plating shifted to his left, forming a twisted wall of steel, all while in a canter.
We all ran along his right as the synths laid down a heavy siege against his protection.
To the right of the fire station, where I had been earlier, several pillars of electricity shot up from the ground.
"Contact!" I shouted over the assault as I prepped my rifle.
The moment their blips appeared in my E.F.S., I opened fire. Aura was soon to follow, immediately excluding one of them from the fight with her first blast.
They returned fire nearly instantly, and while the majority of us dove to the ground and evaded their shots, one of us wasn't so lucky...
Wolfheart screamed as black gushed out from his chest, and as he hit the ground, the shield that he offered us was in further disarray.
I peppered the small group in front of us, aiding Aura in her attempts to rid them from our list of problems.
It was then that Thunderwing soared over us, laying down heavy Hearthswarming colors on our enemies with a sky wagon in tow.
Many of them quickly targeted her, to which she dove down, holding her forehooves out before her. Upon impact, she sent a lethal dose of electricity venturing through one of the units. As a finishing touch for the rest, she drove them down into the asphalt with her wagon.
"FUCK YOU TOO!" She screamed behind a repetitive stomping.
I spun to the left flank and sprayed the group down with lead until my gun clicked on empty.
Aura lunged her upper body over my back as she blasted fully charged gauss shots at the few remaining synths in our vicinity.
Mere seconds later, all the guns in our area went silent, and we were surrounded by expired machines.
I crawled to Wolfheart's side in a panic, holding his upper body close to me.
"I can't breathe!" He rasped. "Fuck, they got me good...! Dad..." His tendrils loosely wrapped around my form. "Please don't... go away..."
His form grew heavier... limp... His grasp on me was lost...
"No, no, no!" I shook his body as the panic in my heart escalated drastically. "Fuck, no!"
"Wolfheart...?" Aura whimpered.
Fuck! Okay, think, think, think!
He said he couldn't breathe! Right! CPR!
I quickly laid him on his back and started the chest compressions, until reaching 30.
But still, it wasn't enough!
"C'mon, Wolfheart! Not you too!"
I pressed my lips to his and blew in, but a protrusion quickly blocked my air passage in a near instant, sliding further down my throat.
"Mmh!" I jolted back, letting out a choked gasp as a black tendril receded from my throat, out of my mouth, and back into his.
His saliva dripped from my mouth as I glared down at him. He smacked his lips before smiling contently, looking up at me in turn.
"Mm... that was nice... let's do that again, sometime."
"Seriously!?" I shouted as my hoof flared with anger. "I thought you were fucking dying!"
"What the fuck is wrong with you!?" Aura screamed.
"Well, how else was I gonna get a kiss like that from dad?" He chuckled.
"I thought I was losing you, you asshole!" Aura cried out.
Her tears put him in sober silence.
"Hey!" Thunder shouted, to which we all looked over at her... with the exception of Aura, who continued to cry as she scowled at her brother. "Let's get out of here already! I wanna kill!"
"She's right..." I sighed as I stood up, approaching the back of the wagon. "We shouldn't keep Hollow waiting."
"Or me, for that matter!" Thunder snapped a pissy look over her shoulder at me.
Oku followed into the wagon. Then Aura, who refused to look at anyone. Lastly and hesitantly, Wolfheart, who remained quiet.
Thunder took to the air, racing against the high winds of the stormy night sky.
I scooted closer to Aura before wrapping an arm around her. She leaned into my embrace and sighed with what I easily perceived as tempered frustration.
"I'm sorry..." Wolfheart muttered, keeping his gaze on our six. "I thought it'd have been funny... I didn't realize how on edge everyone is..."
"We lost enough already..." I replied with remorse in my heart, to which his head twisted around to me like an owl. He scanned the surrounding party before turning back to me.
"Onyx...?"
I nodded silently, hugging Aura tighter.
"I didn't... know..." Shaking his head, he turned back to the wagon's six. "I wouldn't have done that if I had known... I'm sorry..."
"I thought you had my memories." I raised a skeptical brow.
"Only everything before I became an egg. Everything after my birth is a mystery."
The wagon came to a landing atop the roof of the Super Duper mart, and came to a stop a few feet from Hollow.
"We're here." Thunder hissed. "Get the fuck out."
As we all disembarked, she removed herself from the harness and stood at Hollow's side while she looked through the scope of her rifle.
She lowered the oversized cannon as I stopped at her right. She was the least injured out of the lot.
"Huh..."
"What is it?" I asked, looking over.
"I have a better idea... Don't disable the jammer..." A smirk of pure malice curled on her lips as she handed me the rifle. "Everyone, take a look. Count your targets. Scope, Petiole."
"Yeah." Scope replied dryly.
"Make your way to the tower next to the target."


(((((((◉)))))))


Synths blasted away relentlessly at the underside of the wagon as we ascended over the tower with Thunderwing as our pilot, and Wolfheart as her armor. His music blasted from him again.
"Get ready!" Thunder shouted over the catchy tune.
Aura, Oku, and I laid on our stomachs on her command.
"We're ready!" I blurted.
"Kick some ass!"
The wagon started a rapid descent as Thunder flew away with Wolfheart on her back.
"Geronimoooo!" Aura cheered as our descent quickened.
It soon came to an abrupt stop before bouncing up just a little; rolling along the roof.
Behind us were four synths, now crushed by the immense weight of the wagon. There were still many more that remained, however. And now they were all focused on us.
I lifted myself up and popped rounds back at them, peeking over the right wooden railing that now registered as our protection. Aura soon occupied the left, as planned.
The wagon rammed against one of the synths, crushing it under its wheels. In doing so, the vehicle slowed.
A pillar of electricity shot up from the floor at the rear of the wagon as it ended its motion, to which Oku got in a battle stance, ready to enter the fight.
"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Wolfheart's voice grew in volume drastically, along with the music, and just as the synth appeared, a bulky chunk of tentacle-embraced steel stabbed through its back.
Wolfheart laughed hysterically as he pinned it down, stabbing more tendrils into its now helpless form with feral abandon.
Thunder slammed down into one of my targets before me; her power hooves releasing a lethal static charge against the top of their head, dismissing them immediately.
She spun around and turned her guns on two other synths that had opened fire on her flank.
I assisted in her next targets as a means to keep her safe, but I felt that she didn't care much for her own safety at this point.
To my misfortune, one of their shots struck the very tip of my horn, knocking me down on my back instantly.
I screamed from the burning sensation to the sensitive nerve in my horn.
"Dad!" Aura shouted as I felt her hold me tight.
A sharp pain jolted into my neck, but a familiar numby goodness took over in mere seconds.
I looked up at my daughter as she withdrew the depleted syringe and tossed it to the side.
The pain was still there, but its intensity decreased significantly.
I rolled onto my hooves, ready to jump back into the battle.
Wolfheart was now carrying a variety of extra plating and rifles, firing in turn at the enemy with the equivalent of ten armed soldiers.
Then he started singing, dancing to the music as he fought.
"Stalked in the forest, too close to hide! I'll be upon you by the moonlight's side!"
"Stay stationary!" Hollow said telepathically. "Mortar incoming!"
Following her statement, was a loud, distant boom, and with that came the hollow whistle I heard earlier; becoming more aggressive as time went on.
Wolfheart spun in circles continuously, standing on his hind legs as his rifles spun around, firing in all directions until waving his guns past us. His rounds dropped synths all around as the rest focused fire on him.
"High blood drumming on your skin, it's so tight! You feel my heat, I'm just a moment behind!"
Several muzzle flashes briefly marked the tower beside ours, and more synths dropped like flies; a hint of their inner workings exposed for all to see.
An explosion of blue flame erupted over the roof access ahead of the wagon, where more units had been coming from. The blast wiped out too many to count with the time given, and knocked many more off their hooves.
Wolfheart advanced on the others as his body shifted to something more canine, stabbing his claws into some of his targets.
"In touch with the ground! I'm on the hunt, I'm after you! Scent and a sound, I'm lost and I'm found! And I'm hungry like the wooooolf!" Upon stopping near the edge of the tower, he arched his back and lifted his head to the sky, as if howling the last word. He quickly spun around, now dancing more than fighting, like he was supposed to.
"Strut on a line, its discord and rhyme! I howl and I whine, I'm after you!" He proceeded to sing as he pointed a claw at a random synth that opened fire on him. He charged for the machine, stabbing a variety of tendrils through its body and tearing it asunder. "Mouth is alive, all running inside! And I'm hungry like the wooooooooooooooolf!"
As the singing came to an end but the music continued, he went back to fighting without an act.
I unfolded Chair and chased after Oku as he rushed to finish the job.
His style of fighting was very similar to Hollow's. Dancing, almost. Wolfheart wasn't very subtle with his techniques like Oku was...
I found it hard to keep track of his strategy, but that wasn't my main focus at the moment anyways.
As some of the synths started to recover from Hollow's blast, I lunged into the air, lifting Chair over my head. As I came down on my first target, I swung my furniture down, stabbing her blades into its back.
In one quick motion, I spun to my right, dragging the pinned machine along the ground as one of its allies aimed their rifle at me.
Upon lifting Chair off the ground, the synth slid along the wet pavement, tripping my most immediate threat at the given moment. Both of them slid off the building, plummeting down a ten story drop.
Wolfheart resumed singing as the music picked up again; racing past us and assisting in lessening the number of our dangers.
"Burning the ground, I break from the crowd! I'm on the hunt, I'm after you! I smell like I sound, I'm lost and I'm found! And I'm hungry like the woooolf!"
Oku made quick jabs at his targets, making use of every hoof and every opportunity he had. He was flexible, agile, and smart...
If I wasn't dating Petiole...
... I wanted to slap myself just for thinking that.
Bad Charger!
Several dozen electrified pillars surrounded us as Oku and Wolfheart finished the last of the first wave of defenses off.
"Wolfheart, the jammer!" Hollow shouted as he decapitated his final target in the initial wave. "Now!"
He spun to the device and scurried toward it with haste, tampering with its instruments as he continued singing; swaying his hips left to right, swishing his tail around, and tilting his head side to side.
"Strut on a line, its discord and rhyme! I'm on the hunt, I'm after you! Mouth is alive, with juices like wine! And I'm hungry like the wooooolf!"
The synths warped in and immediately laid down a heavy siege of lasers on us as everyone, with the exception of Wolfheart, retreated back for the cover of the wagon. Many of them focused on the Nekkra that worked on their jammer, but his armor proved to be resilient.
"Kill, kill, KILL!" He shrank down into a ball of steel and tentacles, before rolling along the ground at a fast pace, still singing along as he charged for those that shot at him. "KILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL-Burning the ground, I break from the crowd! I'm on the hunt, I'm after you! Scent and a sound, I'm lost and I'm found! And I'm hungry like the wooooooooooooooolf!"
As he pummeled his targets like a bowling ball, several tendrils grabbed a hold of them, ripping them apart as he pulled them in, adding to his collection and building up his defense.
The rest of us stayed down in the back of the wagon as Wolfheart, Petiole, and Scope went on their slaughter spree.
"Stay down!" Hollow instructed.
At once, a heavy thunder rolled across the sky, but it wasn't from the storm...
I looked up just as several objects breached the thick clouds.
A fleet of Raptors and Vertibucks descended rapidly as their engines started up. Shortly after their reveal, did they begin raising down a heavy fire of red and green lights over the city.
And then came Titan...
Smashing through the curtain of black overhead and dropping to the streets below.
The ground and all it held rumbled violently on his landing. Large chunks of asphalt shot up around him from the shockwave.
He rose from his slouch as the music started to fade away, regaining his posture from the hard landing. From there, he stomped through the smaller buildings; his 50 caliber guns blasting through walls and windows before he could.
Hollow teleported before us with her artillery rifle levitated beside her. She looked around as Wolfheart stepped into view on her other side, dropping a variety of Institute issued laser rifles in a pile. The plating over his face moved away to reveal that he was beaming with joy.
As our forces conquered the city, she turned to us with a smile.
"Good job, everyone. They can't teleport now."
"Perfect..." Thunder chuckled with malicious intent. "Let's hunt some fucking trash cans..."
> Channel 003.5; Dancing In The Moonlight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Come on everypony, smile, smile, smile!"


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I sat before an obelisk of stone in the center of Dead Sector with names neatly carved into each side, conjured by Bullet's magic. Each name was carved in memory of the lost. Ones that were taken too soon...
Snow Star, Voltage Striker, and Solar Shadow had a place in this memorial. Tezu, Blaze... Shadow Hoof, too... who I had discovered died during the evacuation from Virtue. The Nekkra got him...
... And then there was Onyx...
She was my main focus in this moment. I studied her name intently as Bullet telekinetically carved it in.
Destrier and Riot accompanied Thunder and I; sitting beside one another as she smoked one cig after another. There were no more tears. She seemed to be in a catatonic state.
Thorne joined us without so much as a word, just as Bullet completed the name.
The white coated, extra terrestrial unicorn mare turned to Thunder with remorse in her eyes and voice.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Thunderwing... Thorne..."
Thunder murmured under her breath, but I wasn't sure she was actually saying anything.
She took one more pull off her fifth cigarette, spat it out, and stomped it down into the earth.
She turned to her surrounding party after cracking her neck. "Gonna drink and fuck the night away. Join me or don't."
"Thunder..." I reached a hoof out to her, but she turned to me with a dead look in her eyes.
"Chances are I'm gonna join her tomorrow. May as well have one last night to remember, right?" She cracked a faint smile. "She would've wanted us laughing, dancing, singing, and fucking. She would have wanted us to be happy. Let's live up to her expectations while we still can..."
"You're not... upset...?" I raised a brow.
She shrugged. "Well, yeah. But I got my revenge. I don't want to dwell on the pain anymore. I will always hold her in my heart... I will always miss her. I will always love her. Moving on isn't forgetting..."
"Words of wisdom right there..." Bullet Storm muttered, laying eyes on her once more. "Never counted on another former raider being so..." She paused as she mentally sought after the right word.
"Caring?" Thunder questioned with her smile growing just a little more.
Bullet shrugged. "I was gonna go with sentimental, but sure. Let's go with that."
Thunder took a deep breath, closing her eyes.
"Right... well..." She stood up and stretched, nodding to Riot and Destrier, before looking at me. "I'm gonna be at your daughter's bar, if you're looking for me."
She and her accomplices trotted away, leaving just me, Bullet, and Thorne.
Thorne sighed as she traced a hoof over Onyx's name, clearly not sharing Thunder's sentiments. With a tired smile, she glanced in my direction.
"I'm glad you're okay, Charger..."
And with that, she stood up and quietly left the scene.
Bullet took a spot beside me and sat down, before wrapping a hoof around my shoulder as we studied the obelisk.
"Thanks for putting my parents and Snow on there..." I spoke in a near whisper.
"It was the right thing to do..." She replied in the same volume.
I regarded the hundreds of names once more, and caught sight of one I didn't notice yet.
Black Scope's biological mother. Velvet Vector.
That reminded me of one of my to do's. I'd get on that tonight.
"So you used to be a raider?" I looked over with a puzzled expression. "I wouldn't have struck you as the merciless type."
She grimaced as she cast her head down.
"Yeahhh... I'm... not proud of that..." She proceeded to rest her head on my shoulder as she exhaled. "I didn't have... very good parents... or a good childhood..."
I wrapped an arm around her in turn, to which she nestled further into me, closing her eyes.
"Thank you, Charger..." She murred. "I'm glad we met... I'm glad we're friends."
"I am too." I replied with a faint smile. "And one former raider to another... I think you turned out pretty awesome."
Her eyes opened, looking up at me as her head remained in place. "You really think so...?"
My smile widened as I nodded. "Wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it."
"Am I interrupting something?" Dream Catcher spoke sternly from behind.
The two of us straightened up and looked back at an unamused Dream, raising a brow at us. Her eyes carried disdain as she regarded me.
"Just connecting." Bullet replied in a tired manner.
"Mhm..." She glanced at me for a split second, before returning to her. "Don't think I forgot about you two grinding on each other. We're still gonna have that talk once this is all over, assuming we're all still here."
"I'll be sure to die in battle just to avoid the lecture." I stated quickly with a sheepish grin in hopes I could kill the tension.
Dream deadpanned at my remark. "Har, har, very funny."
Bullet stifled a giggle behind a hoof.
"And don't you forget that he's a fucking parasite." She scowled as she pointed a hoof at her wife, and then at me.
Everyone fell quiet after that, to which she quickly stormed off.
"I..." Bullet paused. "I-I'm sorry she said that... she's not like that unless she's over the top pissed or stressed..."
"I figured there was a reason you two were married. And it wasn't because of her bad side." I smirked.
She nodded silently for a moment. "She's a sweetheart. I love her to death... but I fucked up, Charger... Cheating on her with you..."
"But..." I knit my brow in response to what she said. "I thought you two had an agreement or something."
"Yeah, we did. But I cheated the agreement by picking you - a stallion without working... you know..." She subtly pointed a hoof at my groin.
"Yeah, I get it..." I muttered.
She proceeded to sigh as she slouched. "Slap my ass and call me 1929, because I'm in a great depression... We're all very on edge about tomorrow..." She sighed again, letting go of me and sitting straight afterward. "If we survive all this... I'm going to do everything in my power to make her feel like the happiest mare in the multiverse. I wanna make things right..."
My smile widened as I patted her on the back; curling into a cheeky grin after a moment.
"Well, what are you doing sitting around telling me for? Your Dream just walked away a few minutes ago."
Bullet turned to me silently, her eyes flicking from left to right, studying mine as I continued.
"This might be the last time either of us get a chance to do anything, Bullet." With emphasis in each word, I repeatedly tapped a hoof to her chest, my eyes staying locked with hers. "Do. Not. Wait. Make things right."
She stared in dumbfounded silence for what felt like the longest time, before her lips curled into a pleasant smile. Which then became a wide, appreciative grin. She broke into laughter, holding me tight.
"What the fuck was I thinking!?" She blurted uproariously, before standing up. "Thank you, Charger." With a quick kiss on the cheek, she ran off, wasting no time to catch up with her mare.
I laughed softly to myself as I watched her bolt away, and once things calmed down within my vicinity, I turned back to the obelisk, studying each name one more time. Admittedly, there were a lot of names I didn't even know, but I wished that I could have.
I ran a hoof down the surface, caressing a variety of the names that had wrongfully been taken away. Feeling the carvings of their text.
It was then that I noticed Brug Mansia was up there too.
I retracted my hoof and took in a deep breath of the salty air from the sea.
Ponies, changelings, griffins, zebra, thestrals, and Nekkra of different factions and cultures laughed, danced, sang, and enjoyed the company of new friends in this little corner of Equestria. The night was still young...
Moving on wasn't forgetting...
"Thank you all..." I whispered, standing up as I admired the names one last time for the night.


(((((((◉)))))))


My first stop was Aura's bar, which was just as packed as the night prior, if not more so.
Thorne and Thunder were both there, sitting with each other at a table, along with both of their accomplices.
Aura and Whiskey River were both swamped with work again, but they seemed to be having fun, judging by the bright smiles they shared as they conversed with each other and their customers.
I stepped up to the table, and all the occupant's attention were on me.
"Wanna join us?" Thunder smiled softly, waving a hoof at an empty spot.
"Thanks..." I said as I pulled Chair our and sat down.
Riot stood up and stretched. "I'm gonna get another round of drinks." He smirked as he regarded me. "What do you want?"
"Screwdriver."
"You got it." With that, he patted me on the shoulder and trotted off to the bar counter.
I turned back to Thunder and Thorne soon after. They seemed pretty okay, given the circumstances.
"Hey, so..." I started, folding my forehooves on the table. They both turned to me. "You said earlier that if anything happened to her..." I paused as their smiles faltered.
"Charger..." Thunder sighed as she leaned back in her seat. "Do you wanna know what Onyx whispered to me before she died?"
I shrugged. "I mean... if you're okay with sharing it..."
"'Forgive them.'"
"We never actually planned to do anything to you or Petiole if something happened to her." Thorne filled in. "You're family. I wouldn't hurt you or hurt the ones you care about. That's Bristle's way of things."
Thunder leaned forward and rested a hoof over mine, looking into my eyes. "You're my friend. I care about you. We care about you..."
I noticed Cobalt and Astral were particularly affectionate on each other now. Guess it took another world ender to get them together.
Riot trotted back to the table, levitating the drinks in his magic. One of them was nowhere in sight, however. Mine.
He called each drink out to its owner as he set them down.
"One for me, one for Thorne, one for Thunderwing, one for Destrier, one for Cobalt, one for Astral..." He paused with a grin as he looked at me. His magic brought an item out from a pocket in his suit.
As the tool dropped on the empty space before me, he finished.
"And a screwdriver for Charger."
The group shared a chuckle, and I was no exception on the matter.
The orange juice mixed vodka appeared in his telekinetic grasp, before carefully setting it down before me as he took his seat.
"A toast!" Riot said, raising his glass. "To Onyx!"
As we all raised our glasses to the ceiling for them to meet together over the table, we collectively cheered in unison.
"TO ONYX!"


(((((((◉)))))))


After a few drinks and some catching up, I stumbled out of the bar.
Stars, I was fucking drunk...
I giggled as I swayed side to side, trying to maintain my sorry excuse of a balance.
"Charger, meet-"
"GAH!" I screamed as my heart pounded. I spun around to see Rust standing there beside a filly that I didn't recognize. "Don't sneak up on ponies like that!"
Rust looked down at the filly, to which she returned to him, a flat stare enveloping her face.
"Note to present company. Nekkra can still have heart attacks."
I sighed before breaking into a small chuckle. "So what's going on? Who is this?"
"New recruit." Rust said as both of them turned back to me.
"New captive, you mean."
"Shut it." He hissed, taking a step forward as he clenched his armored fists.
There was a moment of silence among the three of us before he backed off, taking a deep breath as he averted his faceless gaze. "Black Rock, meet Charger Surge."
"Sup." She responded simply.
"Hi..."
She looked to be around 7 or 8, and she had a dark grey coat; her unkempt mane and tail being a darker shade. Her bangs were even darker. She had deep blue eyes that gave her a very worn out look. Her left ear had two dark red metal piercings clipped in. What impressed me was the fact she had a cutiemark her age. Though, it wasn't a very good one...
Her cutiemark was that of a pony's skull, drenched in blood. I had the impression she had a raider complex, like Aura.
"Is your daughter inside?" Rust asked, glancing at the bar.
"Yeah, why?"
"Need her to train Black Rock with energy weapons. She clearly knows her shit." He looked down at the recruit. "Look for a filly your age wearing an eyepatch. I'll be in shortly."
She nodded quietly before spinning around and walking to the bar.
"So we're kidnapping children to fight for us now?"
Rust slowly turned his head back to me, not saying a thing for a few seconds. In that time, I felt him sifting through my memories again as his visor flickered.
"Stop that!" I shook my head, recoiling as I glared up at him.
"Like you're the one to talk." He replied dryly. "Murderer of families. Interrogator. Cannibal. You and Hollow have a lot in common... Maybe you two are perfect for each other, after all..."
"What the hell did she even to do you that makes you hate her so much?"
He scoffed as he turned around.
"Ask her yourself. That's a long story, and I have more pressing matters to tend to, rather than standing around, wasting time with another one of Hollow's little projects."
"I'm more than her project, asshole!"
"Keep telling yourself that..." He muttered as he turned around, stepping into the bar.


(((((((◉)))))))


Dead Sector was full of life and love tonight. I was gonna be a part of that. I wasn't gonna let Rust's behavior get to me.
I noticed a lot of residents tried finding a quiet, dark place for more... heh... midnight desires. I did well to try and avoid any secluded spots as I slowly navigated my way to the factory.
I eventually came across the field, which was mostly left alone, save for Wolfheart and the ponies he infected and bred. His offspring were there with him as they all just talked and laughed, gazing up at the stars, many of which held others in a comforting embrace.
His affection was genuine to me. There was more to him than just sex... and I was finally seeing it. How much he appreciated and loved the ponies around him. Like they were family now. The more I knew about him, the more respect I developed for him.
I found only one lingering around the factory. Titan. Nearly everyone else was living their life to the fullest, for one last time. But not him...
He was alone.
There were three blips in my train, but whoever they were, they took no interest in him or any of the activities tonight carried.
I quickly noticed some changes had been made to the train. The headlight was replaced with three red ones, residing near the top. In the center of the nose was an anarchy symbol crudely painted in red.
Titan watched me in silence as I approached his towering form.
"Surprised to see you here." He spoke quietly, so as to not disturb the peace.
"Life's been full of surprises lately." I cracked a wan smile as he chuckled.
"I can't argue with that."
"So..." I looked around at the isolation he put himself in. "Why aren't you having fun like everyone else?"
"My idea of fun is a bit... different than yours."
"... Right..." I sat on my haunches, sighing as my heart sank, pulled under by tragic memories of the things he did to me.
"Though, now I'm not so sure if I enjoy that type of stuff anymore."
I looked back up at him with curiosity running through my head. Was he... starting to actually change...?
Was there actually hope for him...?
"So, can you like, leave that thing?" I asked, wanting to change the topic. "Or are you stuck inside it?"
"This is my new body." He replied simply. Though I felt like there was some passive aggressiveness there.
"How do you eat?"
"I don't. I'm a ghoul now."
"Shit..." I muttered, raising a brow. "Well, I can't say you didn't deserve it..." Rubbing the back of my neck, I continued. "So... how did you turn, anyways?"
"Fester. Ran experiments on me to keep me from dying to your cause. He and Dr. Hertz slipped me into one of their latest creations." He gestured a hoof to his form. "I'm fitted with a megaspell reactor."
"Guess it's more efficient than constantly using power cores."
"It comes with a heavy price." He proceeded to tilt his head side to side, implying the idea was a little iffy. "While you're correct on efficiency, in the end, I'm just a ticking time bomb. Eventually, the radiation feeding into me will make me feral. I will inevitably lose myself sooner, rather than later..."
Oh... shit...
The idea of a feral Titan running around the wasteland was terrifying...
He lifted his head to the horizon, but I wasn't sure if he was actually looking at anything, or if he was pondering on something. Eventually, that curiosity answered itself when he looked back down at me and started up again.
"I have a proposition for you."
"Oh?"
"We know what the Nekkra are capable of. And if you lose me to them during the incursion... your chances of winning drop significantly."
"I have no doubt about that."
A Nekkra Titan... one was enough. We didn't need another. Gah, stop giving me new terrifying Titan ideas! I'm trying to avoid having nightmares!
"I will need reliable protection when we're out there. Someone to keep them off me."
My eyes lit up as a sharp grin overwhelmed me! No fucking way! Was he serious!?
"Wait, are you...?"
He nodded. "Yes. I'm letting you ride me. In exchange for my protection." He emphasized. "This is a one time thing. Do we have an agreement?"
"Hell fucking yeah, we do!" I raised a hoof up to him, to which he raised his and ever so lightly bumped the steel mass against mine.
"Damn it, now I'm almost wanting to go to war right now!"
He shook his head slowly in response. "You're easy to entertain."
I blew a raspberry at him in retaliation.
"Anyways..." He glanced at the train. "Scope, Fluky, and the mute pegasus you came here with are in the train, in case you were looking for any of them."
I nodded. "What about you?"
He lifted his head to the stars in a slow motion. "I think I'll sit out here for a while... enjoy the night..."
I smiled faintly as I stood up. "Goodnight, Titan..."
He gave me a single nod before turning around and walking calmly to the other side of the building, leaving my view.
I climbed up the stairs to the car to find the three sleeping quarters were closed off behind doors. Everything was quiet in here.
Two of the blips on my E.F.S. were together in the quarters closest to me upon entering. The lone signal resided in the room at the far end, closest to the gunner car.
I pressed my ear to the door, but I still didn't hear anything. I cracked it open and peeked my head in.
Eight and Flukes occupied the bed, holding each other as they slumbered. The filly let out a light snore.
A smile crept on my lips as I quietly closed the door. I didn't want to disturb them.
I moved for the door at the other end of the car and cracked it open to find Scope fast asleep. Widening the entrance, I slipped in and closed the door behind me. He was laying on his stomach; his chin resting on both forehooves as he snoozed.
"Scope, I need to talk to you." I tapped a hoof to his flank, over the three scars that obscured his cutiemark.
Before my drunken self could register it, I was on my now aching back; my bones and organs screaming in pain from several hits as Black Scope pressed his muzzle to mine. He glared into my eyes with malice as the barrel of his rifle stayed glued to my temple.
"S-Scope!" I groaned.
"Don't. Fucking. Touch. My scars." He spoke gravely.
My hoof crackled softly beneath him. After a moment, he closed his eyes and sighed; his lips just barely grazing mine.
The scent he exhaled was first of a raging forest fire, but as he started to calm himself, it slowly morphed into a fresh pine needle scent. A bit odd, but welcoming.
What wasn't welcoming was the gun to my head.
"Can you get off me?" I spoke lightly, to which he stood up straight, towering over me as his gun was freed from the grip of his magic, now leaning against the wall again.
"Sorry..." He reached a hoof out to me, helping me back up on my hooves. "I don't... like being touched there..."
He hopped back on the mattress and sat at the end of it, looking down at the floor.
"May I ask what happened...?" I questioned moments before I stretched, popping a few bones in my back in the process.
He grit his teeth and winced his eyes shut at the question, before looking up at me.
"Seeing as I know your story... I guess it's only fair you know mine..." He nodded slowly and sighed. "A... raider... toyed with me and my mom when I was a kid..." He shook his head as anger boiled in his eyes. "Left me broken... In more ways than one. The taste is still on my tongue..."
"The taste...?" I cocked a brow.
He froze for a second, biting his lip.
"It's... a lot of things..." He whispered. "After they..." He cleared his throat. "After sharing Velvet, they gutted her. Made me drink her blood, make out with her after making her lick one of them clean... then they shoved me in her and sowed her up..."
"What the fuck...?" My mouth hung open as my brow knit. My hoof became engulfed with wrath with what I was hearing.
He nodded. "I... ate parts of her to stay alive. Hollow found me in the middle of the Mojave several days later. I was almost gone."
"Is that how you lost your horn, too? From the raiders...?"
Quietly, he nodded.
"It's no secret that I used to have a strong distaste for you, Charger. When Hollow signaled me to help you, I thought you were a nobody. Just another pony crying about how unfair life is in the wasteland. But as time went on, I started to understand you more. We share a very similar pain. It's... uncanny." The smallest hint of a smile curled on his lips as he studied my eyes. The electricity in my hoof gradually subsided. "I heard your story, and I didn't feel as alone as I used to. You understood me as I do you. We've been in each other's shoes. I was so wrong about you..." He chuckled softly as his smile widened gradually. He looked back down as he continued. "You referred to Hollow as 'our' mom." He levitated a health potion from his saddle bags and brought it to me to help with the injuries he inflicted.
"I mean, am I wrong?" I grinned before biting the cork off and gulping down the medicine.
He shook his head before replying. "I never really saw her like that before. I was so hung up on Velvet that I saw Hollow as no more than a zebra that saved me and taught me to survive. But I see it now... Which I guess means...?" He looked back up at me in a near timid expression. "I guess it means we're kinda like... I dunno... brothers."
With a sincere smile, I set the empty bottle down and took a step forward. He tensed up a little, which brought me momentary pause. But after a second, he breathed in through his nostrils and relaxed a little.
I proceeded to step closer to him, but as I went to reach an arm out to pull him into an embrace, his hoof met my chest, halting my advance.
His eyes, wide with a startled nature, lingered on mine.
Gradually, I pushed against his hoof. While he kept it there, he had no protest on my action.
I leaned my head in and placed my lips to his cheek as I held him in my arms.
His body tensed again, but eventually, his muscles loosened, and his hooves met at my back as his chin rested on my shoulder.
I brushed his ear with my muzzle before whispering, to which it lightly flicked me on the nose.
"We're brothers... But this also means I'm gonna try fucking you."
He snorted and lightly pushed me away. I took his request to heart and gave him his space, laughing under my breath. He proceeded to shake his head as he regarded me.
"I wouldn't put it past you. You seem to have a weird incest fantasy."
"Incest is wincest!" I grinned.
He rolled his eyes, chuckling. "Remember. You're dating Petiole now. Don't go breaking hearts."
"You're right..." I nodded. "I should ask permission first."
With an exasperated but humored sigh, he sheltered his eyes with a hoof. "Damn it, Charger..."
I sat beside him, chuckling lightly.
"So, I actually wanted to talk to you about something. About when I was... in the vortex..."
He raised a curious brow. "Listening."
"When I was in there, I died. Fire and I both."
"... Oookay..." He narrowed his eyes at me, before running his hoof along my chest, stopping it over my beating heart.
I nodded. "Yeah, I know... Just hear me out..."
"Alright..." He retracted his hoof.
"Firebright was sent to another dimension, which means she must be alive again, because well... I am. I was sent back here to deal with the infestation. But before I woke up in the bunker again, I..." I shook my head in disbelief. I had a hard time believing it myself, and I was there! "This is gonna sound crazy, but I went to the Everafter."
He laid his eyes on mine with a blank expression, as if trying to read me for a moment. As if he were trying to find the punchline to a joke.
"You know..." He started softly. "There was a time I wouldn't have believed you... But I've come to understand that at this point, anything is possible. We're surrounded by aliens. You were born with a cutiemark. Your insides are a bunch of tentacles. Hell, your horn is alien. Visiting the Everafter doesn't sound as crazy as you would think."
"Good point..." I smiled wanly.
"So... What's it like over there?"
"It's beautiful..." My smile widened. "The air is so pure, so fresh. Endless landscapes of the healthiest fields, forests, and mountains to run through. Everyone is at peace there. There's no sadness. No pain. Only bliss. Acceptance..."
"Everyone?" He tilted his head in a curious manner. "So you saw others?"
I nodded as my smile widened. "I saw Blaze, Tezu, Snow Star, Petiole's wife... I saw my parents... and I saw your mom..."
"Wait, what?" He knit his brow.
I wrapped an arm around his shoulder, nuzzling him lightly. "She wanted me to tell you how proud she is of you and what you became. That she loves you. She... said that she really appreciates the necklace you got for her?"
He sat in silence, clearly struck with what was said. His mouth hung open as he regarded me; left speechless.
I eventually released him and stood up. As I made my way to the door, he spoke.
"Charger?"
"Hm?" I looked back at him to find he was smiling again; tears welling up in his eyes.
"T... Thank you..."


(((((((◉)))))))


The cliffside was my last stop for the night. I had a date with Petiole! Thankfully, his pipbuck tag wasn't waiting there. I really didn't wanna keep him waiting.
The way back was peaceful... for the most part, anyways...
I got as far as the other end of the field at the outskirts of the residential area before I was thrown to the ground.
"H-hey!" I shouted as a hoof slammed in the back of my head, forcing my face in the dirt.
Bullet laughed; her breath caressing my ear.
"Bullet, what the fuck are you doing!?" I half screamed, half muffled.
"A make over!" Dream Catcher replied in a cheerful tone. "Payback and whatnot."
"Wh-what!? Wait!"
"Here we go!" Bullet blurted as her horn lit up.
"WAIT!"
My body quickly warped into another location; Hollow's ship. The medbay, more specifically.
I was hoisted up off the ground through Bullet's magic as the couple studied me.
"Bullet!" I screamed as my hoof roared with a high voltage. "Put me down! I mean it!"
The zipper to my barding undid itself. I gasped in surprise - a shade of black enveloping my cheeks - as my armor slipped off my form with ease, leaving me exposed.
"B-Bullet!" I thrashed around, but it was no use!
"I'll get the eyelashes!" Dream laughed as she sauntered off to the medbay's restroom.
"Petiole is just gonna LOVE the new look!"
Bullet grinned as she lowered me to the table and strapped me in, moments before some apparel came into view, enveloped in her aura.
Damn it, I wished I could teleport right about fucking now!


(((((((◉)))))))


I was quickly teleported back to the surface at the cliffside where Petiole and I were going to have our date...
... With a moderately shaded red dress on; draping over my backside, almost touching the ground.
A neckerchief of crimson was tied at my neck, and my legs, with the exception of my tungstian one, were dressed with striped red socks of the two shades.
Furthermore, Bullet and Dream put fucking eyelash extensions on me! They felt weird! Bless the stars no actual makeup was involved!
"C-Charger...?" Petiole spoke from behind, to which I spun around.
Much to my surprise, he was wearing a black suit with a red tie.
It also seemed that he took my advice in having the branches coming out of his head become more like antlers. It was a good look on him, I had to admit!
"Whoa..." He stared in wonder. "You look... uh..." He chuckled softly, averting his eyes. "You look beautiful..."
"You're lookin' pretty great yourself." I replied with a light giggle, stepping closer to him. A faint shade of black grew on my cheeks again as I bit my lip. "Do you need a sample?" I winked.
Chuckling, he nodded and wrapped an arm around the back of my neck. "Always, dear."
With that, he leaned in and placed a kiss on my cheek, to which I reciprocated.
Together, we approached the cliffside and sat down, looking out at the towers in the distance; their spotlights acting as beacons in the night.
"Gotta say..." His arm reached around me, pulling me in close. I leaned my head against his shoulder. "I wasn't expecting you to be dressed like that."
I giggled softly. "Likewise. Bullet and Dream took it upon themselves to kidnap me and play dress up."
He exhaled in slight annoyance. "You too, huh...?"
Oh boy...
"Well, at least it worked out in our favor, right?" I nuzzled into his neck as I closed my eyes.
"Definitely..." He whispered.
At once, a high pitched, tinny, upbeat, slightly jazzy tune played from my pipbuck. Petiole and I looked at each other at first in confusion. But we soon smiled as I started bobbing my head slightly. Tuner being Tuner...

We get it on most every night
And when that moon gets big and bright
It's a supernatural delight
Everybody was dancin' in the moonlight

"Wanna dance?" I grinned.
His eyes widened. "N-no." He shook his head. "I d-don't dance."
"Bullshit, c'mon!" I grabbed his forehooves and stood up, bringing him up with me.
"C-Charger, wait! I-" He stumbled a bit as I spun him around, catching him in my arms before he hit the ground.

Everybody here is out of sight
They don't bark and they don't bite
They keep things loose, they keep things alight
Everybody was dancin' in the moonlight!

He laughed, looking up at me, and soon enough, he awkwardly followed my lead. I wasn't the best dancer either. But this wasn't about performance. This was about having fun.

Dancin' in the moonlight!
Everybody's feelin' warm and bright!
It's such a fine and natural sight!
Everybody's dancin' in the moonlight!

He started to get the hang of things pretty quick. I was certain he had some experience with dancing back with Mansia, judging by what I saw in their relationship. How they were together.
Her words echoed in my head, back when I saw her in the Everafter...
'I hope you make him as happy as he made me...'

We like our fun and we never fight
You can't dance and stay uptight
It's a supernatural delight
Everybody was dancin' in the moonlight!

Dancin' in the moonlight!
Everybody's feeling warm and bright!
It's such a fine and natural sight!
Everybody's dancin' in the moonlight!

The song carried the energy for us to dance together under the brightly lit Nekkra moon. Every second that passed us by was deeply cherished and stored away in the deepest beats of my heart.
As the main verse kept repeating while the music gradually faded away, signaling the end of the song, Petiole leaned me back abruptly; one hoof locked with mine, and another around the back of my neck, keeping me from falling.
His eyes locked with mine, smiling as I gasped from the surprise. I felt a soft blush envelope my cheeks in a shade of black.
"P-Petiole..." I spoke in a breathless whisper.
"Charger..." He replied softly, inching closer.
O-oh my... this was it! He was making a move! Who turned up the heat!?
My eyelids fluttered shut as I braced myself, feeling his breath caress my lips, just before...
...
"Boop!"
My eyes shot open wide as he grinned down at me, trying to refrain from laughing.
A hoof had lightly tapped me on the nose... My hoof...
He made... me boop... myself...
He leaned back with a smug look before pulling me back up straight.
"I-I was hoping that would..." Averting my now timid gaze, I rubbed the back of my neck. "... Go a different way..."
He chuckled. "I know. I saw you prepare for it. And I learned from the best."
"Meanie." I smirked, locking eyes with him again.
"Tell you what..." He sat down again, patting a spot next to him as he faced the towers in the ocean.
I took a spot next to him, huddling up close. He wrapped an arm around me, smiling with confidence.
"I like you, Charger. A lot. But I'm still a bit weirded out with kissing guys. I've never done anything like this before."
"O-oh... right, sorry..." I placed a kiss on his shoulder.
"But I made a choice." He continued, lifting my head with a hoof under my chin. "I owe you a kiss. After the war."
"After the war?" I raised a brow.
He nodded with a tender smile. "If I can survive and help save the world from an infectious alien virus, I can kiss a guy I have deep feelings for. Deal?"
I let out a small laugh. "Alright, alright. You got it. Deal. I can get behind that."
"Wonderful." He pecked me on the forehead, and as I leaned my head on his shoulder again, he leaned his over mine; doing well to not stab himself on my horn.
The two of us admired the view of the towers to Stable 14, until we eventually laid down, looking up at our new moon. With the warmth of each other's bodies overwhelming us with comfort as we held each other close, we gradually slipped into the realm of sleep.
> Channel 003.6; In Death...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Go! FEED!"


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Tuner, who controlled the locomotive, displayed a light show with the 3 red tinted headlights; synchronizing it with the beat of the heaviest guitar riff I and probably everyone else here had ever fucking heard as we moved for the Nekkra hive.
The army was split up into two groups. One was to accompany the train as a means of a first strike, and the other was to escort the E.S. Cerberus with fleets of raptors, vertibucks, and pegasi, far behind. The battleship was important for this incursion. It was our job to cut off the Nekkra from attacking it before it reached its destination. As far as I knew, they didn't have any knowledge of the E.S. Cerberus existing... yet.
Titan was hoisted up into the air with four cables, each bound to a vertibuck. I stood atop his back on my hindlegs, looking ahead at the vortex in the horizon as storm clouds of black and red pumped out of it endlessly. I held one of the tethers beside me as a means of support while Chair occupied my other set of claws.
The ones who weren't infected were given what was described to me as a body sensor, which would activate if the DNA structure of an individual was modified. I didn't know what happened after that, but I wasn't sure I wanted to find out. It came with Bullet Storm's supply drop, but there weren't enough for everyone. I didn't know who exactly had one equipped and who didn't.
As we moved alongside the river that split Portlandia and Vanhoover apart, a swarm of Nekkra closed in from the other side. From afar, it looked like a wisp of storm cloud.
"Contact." Thunder stated over comms. "Due north."
The oversized gatling battery on the train slowly turned its attention to the incoming threat before the raptor's batteries followed suit.
Streams of bulky lead and laser darted across the river in bulk; Thunder roared from the guns.
The mass of darkness quickly dispersed across the sky, but even then, many hadn't been so lucky in the evasion. As the Nekkra spread out while charging for us, our fleet went weapons free, diverting their priorities to help even the odds.
I aimed Chair out, but with as many targets as there were, I may as well have fired blindly. I was bound to hit something.
Upon pulling the trigger, I swung Chair's legs around in hopes to take out as many as I could before the cell depleted.
With as much fire as they were facing, I wasn't gonna even try to count my kills.
The lasers ceased, and the microfusion cell sprung out with a beautiful ping before bouncing off Titan's back and sliding off for the land below.
A deep hum emanated from Titan's head as he turned to face the north. It was then that I noticed the giant laser cannons on his mohawk were glowing an ominous red. His body vibrated as it grew in intensity. As a bright beam of red launched out, enveloping a good portion of our enemies, we jolted to the right from the force behind the shot.
I hugged the tether with both arms in fear of falling. I wasn't expecting us to be pushed the other direction that hard!
After a quick recovery, Titan ceased fire. Whatever had been caught in his blast was long gone.
While a lot of them appeared to have been wiped out, the others were a rising problem. They were seconds away from reaching us.
I slapped a fresh cell into Chair as a Nekkra homed in on me. As they closed in for a tackle, I swung Chair's now heated blades out, splitting the parasite in half; its remains flying past as its blood washed over me.
A tendril wrapped around my barrel from behind, squeezing as it pulled me back. It slammed me into Titan's back mercilessly before I had a chance to react.
My bones cracked... caving in gradually with each strike.
I screamed as black gushed out from me. I couldn't see my attacker, as they had kept me face down.
"You could have joined us, father." Snap. The entity spoke in my ear with resentment. But despite calling me father, it wasn't White Noise. "The universe was within your grasp." Crunch. "You could have had it all. Anything your weak soul could ever desire..." Jagged fragments of my ribcage stabbed into my organs like shards of glass as it squeezed tighter. I would have died had it not been for the virus. "But now it's within ours..." Second after second, their tendrils worked like a trash compactor to my inner workings. Black spewed out from my lips, nostrils, eyes, and ears... "Bear witness, traitor!"
With each slowing heartbeat, shards of my skeleton stabbed at it, sinking deeper. I wasn't sure if this was killing me... but I was kinda wishing for it at this point... That or for someone to get me out of this situation...
A set of tendrils grabbed a hold of Chair, but before the Nekkra could use it against me, its grip on me loosened as it shrieked.
Gasping - which I realized was a horrible idea with the amount of bone-carved daggers digging into my lungs - I rolled over on my back to find it was being blasted by gatling fire from a passing vertibuck. Courtesy of Destrier.
I was running out of oxygen, and fast. I needed to act.
Several dozen tentacles launched out from me, grabbing a hold of the Nekkra form just as they tried to jump away.
Destrier ceased fire once I caught the parasite, to which I dragged it in as it fought with me for release.
I pressed its chest to mine before chomping down on its face, consuming it both traditionally and through absorption.
It fell on its back, but that only resulted in me getting on top. It worked desperately to crawl away, even with nearly half of its form inside me, restoring both my energy and injuries.
"Stop fucking fighting!" I hissed as I slammed its head into Titan's back with a set of claws. I dug my fangs into its neck as my virus overwhelmed the majority of its body. I could feel it thrashing around inside me. But I was so hungry... and it was them or me. I chose me.
Within seconds of it being completely buried inside me, it ceased to move...
... And I felt fucking great.
I stood up on four hooves and grabbed Chair again, swinging it around just as another parasite flew by, coming in to break one of the cables. I made sure that wouldn't happen.
Two landed on Titan, biting and clawing at his backside in attempts to break through the steel. Knowing what the Nekkra were capable of, they very well could, given enough time.
I looked through the scope of my rifle, peppering the first one with incendiary rounds.
It caught fire and thrashed about before falling to the ground. Before I could hit the second one, its head burst open from a sniper round moments before it was engulfed in flame. That seemed to kill it instantly.
"Charger, they're on my chest and stomach." Titan said through my pipbuck. "Deal with them."
I jumped for the barrel of the artillery cannon on the side before swinging back and letting go, descending for his gut. I grabbed a hold of the edge of some plating at the overhang, and with a static charged hoof, I swung forward at a Nekkra that worked tirelessly on tearing into his armor. I bucked the equivalent of a tungstian infused lightning strike into their back.
Their body burnt away as they let go with a blood curdling scream.
The second and third turned their attention on me and lunged for the kill. As one came in, I swung Chair around, slicing clean through its body with the four heated blades that met together.
The now depleted cell pinged out moments before the third reached me. Another sniper round whizzed past, burrowing deep into the Nekkra's shoulder before bursting into black blood and smoke. Scope had eyes on me, evidently.
I folded Chair and stuffed her in my saddle bags before shimmying along the plating that guarded his belly, moving for his chest.
As I got between his forelegs, two Nekkra swept in, throwing me off the steel plate I used for traveling.
SATS, SATS, SATS!
In the midst of my fall, time crawled. I took on my surroundings as I floated down almost weightlessly. The swarm was everywhere now.
The vertibucks that hauled Titan seemed to support one another. Any Nekkra that tried taking out one vertibuck would be wiped out from the others.
I counted five of them overwhelming a vertibuck not so far away, however. Electricity soon erupted from the vehicle, starting from the cockpit. The electrical appendages licked the surrounding Nekkra, eviscerating them in a matter of seconds as the vertibuck crashed down to the surface. Blips on the E.F.S., hostile or otherwise, ceased to exist all around the catastrophe.
I think I was starting to understand what Bullet's module was for...
I spun my head around to Titan's foreleg as time started to return to normal, and as the pace quickened, I reached a claw out, dragging it across the thick steel in desperation to get a hold of something.
My rear hooves slid along his fore, racing for the edge as I dug my claws deep into the steel. I cried out, gritting my teeth as sparks burnt away at my arm. To my fortune, I came to a halt; my rear hooves inches away from dangling.
"Charger, stop fucking around!" Titan shouted through my pipbuck. "If they get in, it'll be your ass!"
"I'm working on it, shut the hell up!" I shouted back as I climbed up his leg using the gaps in his plating, which resulted in a lot of leaps.
Another Nekkra slammed into me from behind, pinning me against his leg as they sank their fangs into my neck.
I unleashed a scream of wrath and agony as they began to consume.
Desperately, I fought to swing my hoof around and hit them, but it was to no avail. They were out of reach.
The parasite shrieked as they pulled away from me, tearing a huge chunk out of my neck in the process. Oxygen ceased once more...
I swung my head around, gritting my teeth as a Vertibuck flew past for another round. Destrier blasted the creature in the back relentlessly until it was no more.
With their saving grace, they bolted forward, unable to slow down in fear of being overrun. I quickly resumed my climb. There was no time left to waste. Every second was even more valuable now. My lungs clawed for an ounce of air as darkness crept in.
Upon reaching the top of his foreleg, I peeked around at his chest to find an alicorn Nekkra slowly drilling their way in.
Vertibucks and Raptors shot at it, but it seemed to have utilized alicorn magic for its own purpose. An orb of black kept the parasite contained from any outside dangers while it worked on reaching Titan.
Nothing was getting through that, and I had a pretty good idea that if anypony else were to try and go through the shield, they'd get assimilated in an instant. Not from the alicorn, but the shield itself.
This one was up to me.
I leapt for the creature, bypassing their shield without consequence.
It spun back to me just before I grabbed a hold of its body, digging my claws into its gut.
They hissed and snarled before I lunged forward, sinking my teeth into their chest and ripping out a chunk of flesh to restore the gaping wound in my neck.
Sweet, glorious oxygen rushed back in!
They quickly shoved me away from them, causing me to roll along to the other side of the chestplate due to Titan's velocity. I managed to grab a hold and avoid another plummet.
Several spines stuck out from its back before they pressed against the plate, to which it scurried to me like a spider; ready to devour its prey.
I quickly plunged my claws into my saddle bag, searching frantically for Chair as it raced toward me.
A vertibuck bolted past and out from under it, Wolfheart appeared, wielding an assortment of laser rifles as he lunged.
"Leeeeroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooy! JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENKINSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" He landed atop the alicorn's back, ramming several rifles against its head and releasing a barrage as I slipped into SATS. Clearly he didn't understand the rules of the element of surprise...
With time being slowed, I was in less of a panic, allowing me to search for Chair better.
But in my panic, I just then realized I was looking through the wrong bag.
I quickly began my search in the other one, only to grab a hold of it and pull it out, unfolding it a few seconds after my search began.
Felt wonderful that I wasted time there...
As I disabled SATS and time accelerated back to normal, I aimed Chair at the alicorn.
"Wolfheart, move!"
He leapt off its back in a near instant, but a tendril lashed out at him. The rapid laser assault didn't seem to be enough to destroy it.
It brought him back, slamming his body into Titan's chest repeatedly.
"D-dad!" He screamed as with each impact, he left a dent in Titan's armor.
I lunged for the alicorn, and upon contact, I swung Chair around for its head.
It ducked down, but even then, my blades severed a wing and a few of the appendages, one of which had its grasp on Wolfheart.
I grabbed a firm hold of its hind leg, sinking my claws in as it hissed. Wolfheart quickly recovered, blasting it with more laser. It recoiled from him before losing its grasp on Titan.
As it descended to the ground, I began to come with it. I lunged a tendril out for the edge of the chestplate before I fell too far out of reach, but the alicorn wrapped a variety of others around me as a means to climb up my body.
One of them wrapped tightly around my throat, and once more, air escaped me at an alarming rate.
I released my grasp on Titan, causing the two of us to plummet again. In desperation, it scurried up my back and lunged for the plating. I grabbed a hold of its hind leg, restraining it from reaching its goal.
Together, we fell. The alicorn struck Titan's hoof, grasping for it frantically.
I lodged Chair's blades into its back, screaming in anger. My blood boiled as my hoof flared. I felt the whites of my eyes shift to black as my iris' glowed a bright balefire green.
The alicorn let go, to which I lunged for Titan's hoof, climbing frantically up the alicorn's body. Just as I was about to reach it, did it stab a tendril through my armor into my stomach.
Pain shot through my as I fell from the great height, spinning out of control.
I wasn't able to focus on anything like this. But I didn't need to to know that this whole place was going through a blood bath.
The one winged alicorn crashed into my body, taking a chunk of meat out from my shoulder instantly and devouring it.
Screaming, I tried swinging my electric hoof around to hit it, but it was too far out of reach. It knew to avoid it.
It didn't take everything into consideration, though...
My horn popped open, and the shards sped up rapidly around the pillar of death as electric red surged through me.
At the last second, before I lodged my horn through its chest and ground it up from the inside, it tried to escape. But I had a firm grasp on its body, and I wasn't letting go.
It shrieked as I obliterated its insides, and after mere seconds, it fell limp.
I quickly began to absorb its body, seeing as I was still on a fast plummet. Using my horn put a drain on my energy.
My back struck the tail of a passing vertibuck, which resulted in me releasing the rest of the corpse instinctually, due to the tremendous levels of anguish running through my beaten, yet slowly regenerating body.
I slid off the vertibuck before I had time to recover, and in my last second, I reached my claws out to the fin, only for them to cut through the steel like a knife to butter. My descent resumed course.
I was starting to get real fucking tired of being thrown around!
Someone grabbed me from behind before we started to ascend. Two black hooves rested over my chest, and looking over my shoulder, I was greeted with Eight beaming at me.
His flying wasn't the best, but something told me he had been practicing a lot, the night prior.
We landed atop a raptor, and he quickly collapsed on his stomach in front of me, looking over his shoulder. His wings flapped a few times, before folding at his sides.
"You want me to absorb you?"
He nodded quickly.
I sighed as I began to strip from my barding. "Alright..." I said as I tossed it aside, getting over him. I got another strong whiff of that addicting, sweet scent off him again as I started to sink into his body.
Again, I was thrown into a world of pain as our inner workings fused together to become one.
Once the fusion was complete, we stood tall as an alicorn. The shards of our horn orbited the pillar, and our black wings stretched out to great lengths. Our eyes were a heterochromia of glowing red and green entrapped in a pit of shadows. We didn't seem to need the assistance of Nekkra energy in flight now. We both had experience with flying.
Several tendrils lunged out from our stomach before wrapping around the armor and pulling it in. It merged into our hide, and I felt Eight sift through my saddle bags, pulling out the MCF cells.
I wasn't... aware we could do that... Good to know.
I grabbed Chair and leapt off the top of the raptor, flying back up for Titan.
A bolt of darkness whizzed past, just barely hitting us. Glancing back revealed two alicorns in pursuit. Smoke and shadows enveloped their horn as more bolts of the Nekkra energy shot at us.
I swerved left for evasive action, picking up our speed in hopes to outrun them.
Another quick peek at our six showed us that they were closing in fast. I dove down to help increase our momentum, heading towards the top of a raptor that had all its batteries focused in one direction, laying down a heavy fire. The name on the tail was 'Stormrider.'
Something roared in the distance over the battle and the raging music from the train. Something big... The whispers of a hundred Nekkra tongues accompanied it.
One of the shots from the alicorns struck our rear like a dagger made entirely of dry ice; So freezing that it burnt...
Wincing, I flipped around with Chair, aiming at what was our six moments ago. I didn't hesitate a moment before retaliating.
The two alicorns diverted their course, splitting up. Our eyes widened as I quickly tried to swing the lasers away upon realizing what was behind them.
"NO!" I screamed as our heart beat rapidly in fear. Not for ourselves, but for others.
Four beams of red lanced the belly of a raptor, and explosions both within and out of the vessel ensued.
We stared in horror as a dozen pegasi that chose to fight with us died by my mistake...
The hull started to make its descent, nose diving for us as the two alicorns came back into view; flanking our left and right.
Don't dwell on it... Don't dwell on it... Not now...
The MCF cell sprung out as I spun back to the raptor below, flapping our wings as hard as I could. The roar of flames and groaning of twisted steel grew louder behind us.
I brought our forehoof to our lips, shouting into where my pipbuck would have been. It was still there, it was just inside us.
"Stormrider, evade! You're about to-"
Before I could even finish, a Nekkra form slammed into the side of the vessel, knocking it off course. It had come from where they had been firing.
Its maw took in the raptor, biting down and snapping it in two with ease.
They had assimilated a fully grown dragon!?
I swung Chair forward as a tendril emerged from our chest with a cell in its grasp. Eight loaded it in before the appendage shrunk back into our body again.
Four beams of death shot down through the top of its head, eating through the dark mass and appearing out the bottom of its chin.
We bolted through my new path, dragging the blades along the inner walls of the beast as we passed through.
It roared in anger as its body slowly burnt away, and just as we emerged from the bottom of its head, did the raptor I accidentally destroyed slam into its head. We didn't see it, but we heard it and felt the impact.
I glanced back to find the dragon was writhing around as both fire and the aftermath of Chair ate away at it. How poetic... A dragon dying by fire.
The two alicorns, while their chase was postponed to evade the disaster, were back on the hunt.
The cell from Chair pinged out, to which the tendril emerged with a fresh one.
These fuckers weren't giving up!
I darted across the battle-torn skies, gradually climbing back up to Titan again. Both he and Wolfheart were having troubles.
I couldn't afford using the lasers again. I made that mistake already, and as if a slaughter wasn't bad enough, we didn't have the souls to spare.
A vertibuck darted past, inches from hitting us. I just barely managed to dodge the vehicle with a rolling strafe.
A tendril wrapped around our hind leg, yanking us back as the two alicorns grabbed hold; ripping into us with claws, tendrils, and fangs.
I swung Chair around, cutting into one that dug into our side. They howled with whispering cries as they leapt off us for a momentary retreat.
The one on our back jumped off soon after, snarling and hissing. I spun around, slashing the four blades across its throat before realizing Rust had plunged a blade of his own through its back and out of its chest. It writhed about as its body caught flame from both our hits.
Tendrils flung out from its neck, lashing out at me, but Rust bolted away with the alicorn in his grasp; using the jet thrusters built into his armor to control his flight and burning the creature further in the process.
A colossal mass launched from the river, bellowing an enraged scream across both land and sky.
It took the form of a serpent. It's mouth opened wide - wider than the giant I took on back in the bunker - and a pillar of black shot out, darting to the sky.
Several dozen pegasi, raptors, and vertibucks were caught in its path, and upon impact, many of them burst into an electrical eruption.
But not all of them had died...
What were once our allies flew out of the darkness as Nekkra, some of which possessed the arsenal that we had been using to fight them.
Plasma and laser energy shot back and forth. This changed the tides of the battle from bad to worse...
We'd have to worry about that later...
I raced up to Titan as the ray of shadow tore through the sky and any that dared get in its way. The serpent was focused solely on assimilating one of our biggest weapons...
Nekkra chased after us, but Rust and Thunderwing, along with her group, covered our six.
Wolfheart had a struggling battle with several Nekkra atop Titan's back while he fired at the serpent that targeted him with everything he had.
I stopped before him as our horn spun wildly. Electricity crackled from us as the black grew closer. Within a second, I shot a beam of crimson out of our horn with equal width; screaming as the energy within us drained at an alarming rate. Keeping it up against the Nekkra beam was taking everything we had...
Our energy, combined with Titan's, pushed against the beam of darkness, slowing its approach to a crawl.
Rivet flew up to our side, and without a second wasted, unleashed his megaspell cannons he had used when I first met him.
The extra push accelerated our efforts, overwhelming the serpent's attempt to assimilate and destroy.
We weren't going to last much longer. We struggled to keep each other up in the air with each passing second. With one last attempt, I fired Chair against the beam as we pushed every last ounce of energy we had left in us, screaming from the excruciating, skull compressing sensation building in our head and horn.
Our push against the beam launched significantly. But we were done...
They had to do the rest without us...
Our body dropped from exhaustion before we slammed into Titan's leg. I frantically reached a claw out to grab a hold, but we were too weak to hold on for more than a second.
We descended once more; nothing within reach of us, even if we had the strength to stay on.
But a tendril wrapped around our outstretched forehoof. We looked up at Wolfheart, who dangled off Titan's hoof as he pulled us up.
"C'mon!" He shouted, gritting his teeth as he desperately hoisted us up.
I looked behind us just in time to see the Nekkra beam get overwhelmed entirely. Titan and Rivet's assault dug a hole clean through the serpent's body, venturing further down its throat and disintegrating it from within.
It screamed in whispers, sending massive waves of irradiated water over land as it seized about.
A few more tendrils wrapped around our form before Wolfheart pulled us into something similar to a hug. Covering us in steel, he hastily climbed to Titan's back.
As he climbed, I took notice in the various infected craft dropping as the serpent died. But our numbers diminished rapidly, and the time they had only made our party smaller in such short notice.
Upon reaching Titan's back, Wolfheart shoved me against a Nekkra that Wolf pinned. Judging by the feeble struggles, it didn't have much left in them, which made consuming it much easier.
With what little energy they had left as I consumed them for sustenance, they tried crawling away.
Keyword... tried.
Their efforts were in vain.
I stood up, looking at both Wolfheart and his accomplice as they looked up at us in turn.
We felt better, but we were still weak. We needed more if we were gonna be restored to our former glory. We were still starving... Starving for an insatiable craving of meat.
"Is there more?"
Wolfheart chuckled. "I was saving this for dinner, but you need it more than I do." With that, a Nekkra form spewed out from his chest. It sought immediate escape, but he slammed it against Titan's back, looking up at me amusingly. "Bon Appetit, daddy."
"Make it quick." Wolf said behind a snarl as he stood at the edge, looking below. "More are coming."
"Guess we'll have to play with our food another time." Wolfheart pouted.
Much like the last one, it wasn't able to put up much of a fight. Within seconds of tearing into it with claws, tendrils, and teeth, it was gone.
We felt stronger. We still weren't restored to our very best, but we could fight again. We'd have to consume more along the way.
We were quickly shoved to our back before I knew what hit us. We looked up at the alicorn I had been trying to evade earlier. It was back, and it seemed to have healed itself.
Wolfheart and Wolf both rammed it, ripping into it relentlessly, but several tentacles lunged out at them as it ripped into our chest with its teeth. It threw them off Titan, out of view.
I grabbed a hold of its back, digging our claws into its muscles as I screamed. Muzzle deep in our chest, it swung us around violently, consuming us.
I cut deep into them, starting from the middle of their upper spine and ending at the base of their forelegs.
We were still too spent to absorb. Our only way of consuming was through the usual method now... and I was failing at that.
But our hoof...
It crackled with anger. My mistake was not realizing it sooner... I was growing used to hearing it now. That was going to be problematic...
I slammed it against the alicorn's groin, releasing the equivalent of a lightning storm into its body.
Flakes of smoke and shadow burnt off it as it recoiled, screaming. I took that opportunity to get up and pin it down on its stomach, ripping into its neck with my fangs to drink of its blood and eat of its flesh.
Bite after bite, its resistance weakened, and we became stronger.
A roar shook the sky as the last of the alicorn was consumed.
I looked out in the distance where the vortex resided. Storm clouds continued to pump out from the portal. I didn't think that was Death's doing...
All the Nekkra stopped fighting our allies, only to turn and flee back to the hive. They were in a hurry.
Our forces didn't cease fire, however. Taking as many out as possible while they fled was the best thing we could do right now. Especially after realizing why they were retreating.
... They found Bullet and Hollow...
Titan's laser cannon hummed louder in each passing second as he faced the evading swarm.
With a new cell in Chair, I aimed forward and did my part.
I couldn't tell if I had hit any from here due to the distance, but I knew Titan did. With a laser like that, he had to have.
"The barrier's been set." Rust stated over comms. "They can't get out. Everyone, regroup."
As all the aircraft descended for a landing, Bullet spoke over the channel.
"Don't think about leaving us here. There's a whole fucking hive staring at us, and Hollow's shield isn't gonna protect us forever. Not to mention their fucking whispering is going to drive me insane before they can even reach us!"
Titan came to a landing; I discovered that his legs had a suspension feature built into them as a means of softer landings.
Vertibucks landed in the area, but the raptors stayed airborne while the crews disembarked for the surface.
The train slowed to an eventual stop with Petiole, Scope, Fluky, Aura, and Black Rock standing on the catwalk at the front of the locomotive, underneath the anarchy symbol that had been painted on. The music came to an end.
Wolfheart climbed up to Titan's back, standing beside us.
"You okay?" I asked, patting him on the shoulder.
He nodded with a cocky grin. "Nothing we can't handle." He turned to the gathering soon after. "See you're doing just peachy."
"What about you, Titan?" I looked at the back of his head as I tapped on it.
"Still present." He replied simply through my pipbuck.
The vertibucks that hauled Titan landed around him.
Bleeding Skies landed in the rendezvous and removed his helmet after a brief observation of our current numbers. He gave me a cold look for a moment before sighing, to which he tossed the helmet on the ground before him.
"We're not even at the hive, and we already lost more than half of our army..." He shook his head and spat. "I don't like our chances..."
"This is the best shot we'll ever have." Thunderwing said as she stepped out of the vertibuck she had been piloting. She glared at him as she sneered. "Don't let their death be for nothing..."
"She's right." Bristle stepped in, catching nearly everyone by surprise, myself included. "There's no going back now. If need be, I will die fighting. But I refuse to back down. We lost too many. It's time we make them regret fucking with us. May our guns never go cold while the hive exists!"
"Ad Victoriam!" Several dozen rangers shouted in unison, before starting for the river.
"Where the hell do you think you're all going?" Petiole said aloud before breaking into a violent cough, to which they all stopped and looked up at him in silence. After calming down, he shook his head and took his cue to continue. "We have to wait for Nauticus to get here before we launch the next phase."
All of Bristle's rangers turned to their leader quietly, to which he sighed.
"... Right..."
"Should've waited to give a motivational speech for after Nauticus helps even the odds."
Everyone fell silent until Bristle snrked with a half smile. "Preparation?" He quipped.
"Dad's speech was better!" Aura blurted with a wide grin.
"If Bristle's could even be called one..." Scope replied with a deadpan, staring at the pony that reserved the number one rank on my shit list.
"Point is..." Bleeding Skies jumped in. "I don't see a victory in this. But I know there's always a chance... and so long as that chance is there, I'm fighting for it if it means keeping others alive. Even at the expense of my own life."
Thunderwing scoffed and rolled her eyes before hopping back in the vertibuck.
I dunno... I was just meeting her enemy, and he seemed pretty okay to me... Obviously I didn't have the full picture yet, but... so far he seemed okay.
I jumped down from Titan's back before spreading our wings and gliding down to the surface.
The group on the train hopped down as I came in for a landing. Everyone backed away from me with fearful eyes as the aroma of piss and shit invaded our nostrils.
"What?" I knitted our brow as everyone stared in bafflement.
"Y-you look freaky..." Fluky replied as she stepped up.
"Didn't realize your dad could become an alicorn." Black Rock nudged Aura with a smirk. "He looks killer."
"Hell yeah, he does." Aura grinned. "I didn't know he could either!"
Petiole stepped up to us and nuzzled our chest. I lowered ourselves to his level and nuzzled his armored muzzle in turn.
"Are you okay, hun?" He asked softly, regarding the various black stains that marked us as I pulled away.
I nodded with a faint smile. "I am now."
"Guess necrophilia runs in the family." Bristle spat. "First your father, now you."
At first, I deadpanned at his remark. Petiole's LED flashed red. But after a moment, I found myself chuckling, before looking over my shoulder.
"You're God damn right." I grinned with a wide display of daggers before stepping over Petiole's small form, towering over him with our belly pressed lightly to his back, now facing the Steel Ranger completely. Petiole looked around in a nervous manner as his LED flashed blue, but I only saw amusement in it. Bristle looked disappointed in my reaction.
"I'm gonna fuck this undead hottie's brains out after the war. And I'm gonna love every second of it. Wanna watch? I know you missed the first show with my dad, Bristle. And you paid for a front row seat, too... Seeing as you're the reason it happened to begin with."
He grimaced back at me. "That was his choice. I didn't make him do that. Him and his whore did. I paid nothing in regards to them."
"Not yet, you haven't. But you will..." My grin widened as I scowled. "And I'll be there to collect the debt."
Bristle took a step back as his eyes widened. But only for a moment.
Still, his mask was removed, if only for a second. It was all I needed to know that he was scared of me. And that...
... There were no words to explain how satisfying that was to me...
He quickly slipped his helmet on and vacated the scene. His units followed in suit.
Rust stared silently at us for what felt like forever, before he pounded a clenched fist over his heart, then walked off.
Was that a type of salute or something...? Or did he have a burp stuck?
I looked down at Petiole and kissed him on the cheek before getting off, leaving him in his timid state. From there, I made my way to Bleeding Skies, who looked at us with coldness in his eyes. His units stood firm at either side.
I stopped a few feet away before giving him a salute. He returned it after brief hesitation.
"Bleeding Skies, I-"
"I know what you did..." He interrupted quickly. "I saw it... and I'm not happy about it. But I saw the situation you were in. You lost track of your surroundings, and you were trying to get those abominations off your back. Don't apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for." He turned to the vortex in the distance. "We're gonna make them pay for every life they took... I will wipe out these Nekkra with my last fucking breath..."
"Not my strain, though. Right?" I asked nervously.
"Not at the moment." He answered simply, keeping his eyes glued to the hive. "Depends on where our relations lie if we survive this."
Well... at least he was honest.
> Channel 003.7; ... Is Death
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The things you do with our body are so suicidally dangerous, and if you could silence your glandular impulses, you would HEAR ME SCREAMING AT YOU!"


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Cerberus hellfire cleansed the surface. A full salvo of heavy artillery flew below the fleet as we moved for the hive.
Tuner blasted another heavy beat from my pipbuck as I stood atop Titan's back. While not as vicious as the former song during our first phase, it was still a good motivation booster.
Hollow had informed us that there was a high concentration of energy far below the bunker, and that there was a good chance a shield was placed around the source. A simple bombing run wasn't going to resolve this. I had to get in there and disable it first.
"Last wave for now." Nauticus stated over comms just as Nekkra started flying out as a swarm, heading toward us.
Titan unleashed his 50 cals and artillery cannons on them immediately. He seemed to be holding off on the laser cannons for now, but that was made up for with the heavy rain of gatling battery fire the raptors and vertibucks provided. I assisted in the firing squad via Chair and my rifle, now that I was back in my own body.
Eight insisted on separating after the first phase. It was draining for both of us just to assume the form.
I was tempted on using my horn, but I needed to preserve what energy I had for now.
The parasites dropped like flies into the ocean of fire that coated the surface. But our numbers, compared to theirs, were few and far between. The swarm was seeing no end...
We had superiority for now, but it wasn't going to last more than five minutes, if even that.
Blacklight flew beside Titan as a means of extra protection against the swarm.
To our misfortune, the train tracks didn't go near the bunker. We had to leave it with Cerberus. But it at least got us this far.
Alicorns and pegasi latched onto vertibucks, tearing into the cockpits or attempting to assimilate the gunners. Some had been lucky. Others triggered Bullet's module, getting caught in the blast radius of the high voltage. It was a gamble for them... and us, for that matter. We were still losing people...
As a pegasus came in for me, Blacklight swept in, digging into its back. Many others darted in, two of which threw me off Titan's back in a tackle.
As both tore into me, I hastily swung Chair through one's chest, disintegrating it in one blow. That spent the cell, however.
The other drove me into the ground and dragged me along jagged rocks and through barren trees. Splinters stung at my hide as we crashed through the trunks.
I grabbed a firm hold of them as an attempt to pull them off as they tore into my underbelly.
It's body went rigid as Wolfheart rained laser and plasma energy down against its back as he dangled on the underside of a passing vertibuck.
It released me, screeching as we both tumbled.
My painstaking adventure along the rough terrain ended with a gradual halt. I rolled onto my hooves just as the parasite before me did, and without a second wasted, peppered it with incendiary rounds.
... Or would have if my gun didn't click on empty...
Just as it began to charge me, slowly disintegrating in the process, Titan shook the earth in his heavy landing, sliding along the ground and bringing up chunks of earth. He blasted a stream of 50 caliber rounds at the Nekkra in front of me. Plumes of dirt shot up from the ground as the rounds burnt away at the enemy.
As they dissipated into nothing, the music on my pipbuck ceased, and Titan came to a stop a few feet from me, looking down.
I felt small right then and there...
"Get on." He said quickly, just before the distorted voice of the singer kicked up again, quickly followed by the heavy beat of the music that Tuner had been supplying.
Hastily, after grabbing Chair, I climbed up his body with a variety of tendrils and claws. Within a matter of seconds, I resided on his back again.
Blacklight landed beside me with the corpse of one of his victims below him. He crawled off it and looked up at me with a head tilt.
"Thanks..." I said with exasperation, before digging in. He fluttered his wings appreciatively in response, before taking off. Titan stood still, I soon noticed.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I absorbed the parasite, before mentally telling myself, 'What wasn't wrong?'
"The entrance to the pit is too active. There's no way we can get in there..."
I peeked around his neck to find their units were still racing out. Their numbers knew no end...
"So what are you suggesting?" A nervous waver escaped in my question.
"Alternate route." Titan replied simply as he looked down. "I need support."
"You have a badass body, and if we didn't have our history, I'd fu-"
"Not emotional support, Charger!"
"I'm on my way." Bristle said over the open channel.
"Enroute." Thorne filled in.
"We're firing another salvo on the pit." Nauticus stated. "To anyone near it... you have less than a minute to get the hell out of there."
Titan's cannons began to hum as he aimed them at the ground before us, to which many of the Nekkra diverted their attention from the fight to us...
I quickly readied Chair for what was to come, then loaded my rifle with a fresh magazine.
"We're gonna need a lot more than three ponies to cover Titan..." I stated with a nervous lip bite.
Titan unleashed his lasers on the ground, drilling into the earth diagonally as a vertibuck landed beside him. Thorne, Cobalt, and Astral hopped out, to which the vehicle lifted off again.
"Cobalt?" Astral started as he aimed his guns to the sky, opening fire.
"Yeah?"
"If we survive this... I'm gonna fuck your brains out."
She burst into laughter and bumped her hoof to his. "Deal!"
"You're still a fucking fatass, though..."
"Hey, it jiggles when you fuck!"
A second vertibuck flew overhead, to which Bristle jumped out, landing with a heavy thud that sent a cloud of dirt up around him.
Rust and Rivet both swept in, though Rust stayed hovering over the ground while the griffin landed.
Seconds later, as my allies opened fire on the incoming Nekkra while Titan tore into the ground endlessly, Red Glare and her team hopped out of a passing vertibuck, shaking the ground with each landing. They quickly joined the defensive efforts against the virus as I did.
Vertibucks and raptors fired at the swarm from afar.
I slipped into SATS as I aimed Chair ahead, and as I unleashed a high concentration of laser, I adjusted their direction with ease, depending on where the Nekkra tried to evade.
As time began to return to normal after my cell depleted, I heard Rust shouting. The Nekkra closed in at an alarming rate.
"DOT! NOW!"
I could barely hear him over Titan's laser, the aerial combat, and Nauticus' heavy artillery fire against the hive.
While some had managed to time their take off from the pit without getting caught in the blast, their output rate dropped significantly. But Nauticus only had so many shells. We needed to be quick with this.
"DOT!" Rust screamed as he fired a lethal beam of light against the swarm.
With them closing in, seconds away from reaching us, I slammed a new cell in, ready for the bloodbath.
It was then that the front row dissipated into ash as they reached a certain distance.
The rest of the massive swarm quickly dispersed in a series of foul hissing before going for the battle in the distance.
Rust sighed, shaking his head as he lowered his rifle.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Negative." Dot replied. "You asked me to cover a large radius. That takes time and energy, sir."
"You cut it close..." He sighed, turning to everyone. "Stay next to Titan. Don't wander. Otherwise you will disintegrate."
Everyone, myself included, stood around Titan as he drilled into the earth. In our wait, we loaded our weapons with more ammo and did an inventory check. I had four and a half magazines left of incendiary rounds, and plenty of MCF cells for Chair.
The minutes that passed felt like hours. We couldn't help our allies from here, due to the barrier Rust set.
"Charger." Rust looked down at me.
"Yeah."
"Can you buy us some time before disrupting the power supply? I have to help Bullet, Dream, and Hollow evacuate everyone from the blast radius."
"Of course." I answered with a nod. "But I can't wait for too long. I don't like the idea of waiting in there."
"Noted."
Titan's lasers ceased, leaving behind a wide tunnel that ventured down into an abyss, many miles down.
"Good luck, Charger." Titan said with sincerity. "We're all counting on you now..."
"Hate to say it, but he's right..." Bristle jumped in.
I stepped up to the hole, looking down into the nothing. The walls seemed smooth enough...
Now...
I lifted my pipbuck to my lips and spoke.
"Wolfheart, can you hear me?"
"Loud on FM!"
"Gonna need you to bring us a downed vertibuck... Rust, disable the barrier when Wolfheart gets here. I have an idea..."
"Uh oh." Rivet smirked.


(((((((◉)))))))


A heavy, steel mass slammed into my rear end, crushing me into a wall before I could prepare myself. It felt like my ass just broke!
"I HATE THIS!" Thorne screamed in my ear as she accidentally mounted me.
"This was a horrible idea!" I wailed, moments before we were both thrown into the wall opposite of the one we were just at.
I hugged Thorne's chest as she slammed into Volcanic, who simply grunted.
Another set of power armor rammed into me from behind, squishing me between heavy steel.
"Sorry, sir!" Red Glare blurted as her hooves wrapped around Thorne's.
"What the hell are yo-"
Before I could finish, we were jolted upwards... where my face slammed into Bristle's crotch... and vise versa...
Even with him wearing power armor, it made my hide crawl...
"Get your crotch out of my fucking face, Charger!" He screamed as I tore myself off his.
The vessel flipped, causing a flurry of steel-clad ponies to pound me into oblivion.
"Stars, make it fucking stop!" I screamed in desperation as black dripped from me. "What the fuck are you doing out there, Rivet!?"
"Everything is under control, don't worry!"
The vessel rocked to the side, before flipping upside down. I landed atop a pile of power armor that struggled to move.
"Let's hope Rust makes a better brake than you do a steering wheel, Rivet!" Scarlet shouted.
"It's harder than it looks!"
The vessel suddenly flipped forward rapidly before evidently striking the ceiling and crashing back to the slope again.
"Shit!" The griffin blurted.
"RIVET!" We all screamed over the channel in unison.
"STOP DISTRACTING ME!"
My back struck the wall as a result of his lousy piloting... Though it could have been the floor. Or the ceiling. There was no way to tell at this point! I was too disoriented!
Before I could recover from the breath taking blow, Thorne's ass crushed my face in a heavy landing.
"Sorry, Charger!"
... Existence was pain...
"Rust, now!" Rivet shouted, to which all of us were launched to one end of the capsule... with me being sandwiched in the group of power armor.
"I fucking hate this!" I screamed as my face pressed against Red Glare's throat.
"Think I'm gonna puke!" Cobalt stated. "Knew I shouldn't have had seconds this mornin'!"
As time went on, the vessel began to slow, and Rivet managed control of it easier. But in that whole time, we were all stuck in a writhing pile...
This was not doing any favors for my past trauma! My hoof recognized that!
Thankfully, no one was getting electrocuted.
The vessel came to a sliding stop as Rivet and Rust opened fire on the growing whispers and hissings outside. We began our recovery, and Tactical Lancer was the first to open the door and rush out to join the fight.
Everyone else followed after with no issues in their movement.
But me...?
I stumbled right at the start and collapsed on the floor...
Yeah, that was great that they could walk. I was practically paralyzed from the steel orgy that just happened! My insides were pulverized!
"I expected Titan's laser to make the journey smoother..." I muttered as I laid limp, pressing my cheek against the cold steel floor of the bunker's corridor.
It came to my attention that we were lower than where the generator had initially been, as this place seemed rather untouched when it came to giant vortex rifts consuming everything. Seriously, how deep was this place!?
Wolfheart mounted me as he pressed something to my lips, with which he whispered in my ear as I recoiled slightly.
"Next time, invest seatbelts... Now eat..."
Once I realized he was trying to restore my energy, I opened my mouth.
He proceeded to push a chunk of meat in, to which I closed my mouth and consumed.
He got off me and rushed to the frontlines of the battle with his Institute rifles at the ready against the incoming horde.
I stood up and came to their aid as my body regenerated from the little pick-me-up.
With a flurry of lasers, fire, rockets, and lead, we pushed the enemy back with ease. They didn't seem to have as many soldiers down here as they did at the pit. But still, their numbers, while rapidly diminishing to our cause, were deadly.
"Contact, six!" Wolfheart shouted as he spun around, firing off a barrage.
A quick glance behind us revealed another large contingent of Nekkra crawling in through the hole Titan had made.
I didn't like the ideas running around in my head about what became of him...
Volcanic spun around to aid Wolfheart in keeping them off our six while the rest of us worked on clearing our path ahead. I assisted our front as we gradually pushed forward.
With our front well armed, Thorne spun to our six.
Something landed on my back, and my legs collapsed underneath me from the surprise.
"A wild Fluky appeared!" She shouted with evident excitement as she stood atop me.
Aura, Blacklight, and Black Rock appeared before me, instantly focusing on the Nekkra ahead.
"Fluky, use Fun Hazard!" Wolfheart shouted with haste.
In a near instant, as a charged shot from Mama's Gun was released among the lessening numbers, and Black Rock fired an endless stream of green, glowing death, a mortar launched ahead in a whistle.
In a blast of multiple colors, the Nekkra disintegrated.
"Move!" Rust shouted as he advanced.
The rest of us followed close behind. Thorne, Wolfheart, and Volcanic kept their retaliation against the Nekkra as they stayed with the group.
At the end of the corridor was an opening that branched off into many others.
"Bristle, what the hell is this?" I asked in a panic, looking around frantically as blips of red grew by the hundreds, closing in all around.
"Don't ask me, I didn't make it!" He shouted back.
"It's this way!" Rust said quickly, charging for a corridor to the farthest right. "Don't wander, cause I ain't comin' to save you!"
As we followed, several more of the world enders appeared both before and behind, cornering us once more and putting yet another halt on our progress.
Some of the group focused fire on our six while the rest of us pushed against the horde ahead.
Their numbers, much higher than the last batch, pushed against our six at a quickening rate. Our front was well maintained, but only just.
"Cease your assault!" A howl of whispers spoke over the growls and snarls of the incoming parasites. "We have a common interest!"
Suddenly, before us, many of the Nekkra that fought to close in on us spun around, only for their allies - or what I thought were their allies - to rip into them and consume.
The forward assault came to a halt as we stared in confusion.
"WE STILL NEED HELP, ASSHOLES!" Thorne screamed as she and many of the others blasted away relentlessly at the horde on our six.
The lot of us spun around to aid them once our thoughts gathered.
"TRAITOROUS SWINE!" The Nekkra hissed as they advanced with what felt like added efforts. Despite all our focus being diverted to them, they were closing the distance on us. "YOU WILL FALL WITH THEM!"
"Leave us!" The Nekkra behind spoke, before various forms ran past as a blockage against the other strain. "Fulfill your task!"
"What the fuck is happening...?" Bristle muttered, before he turned and hoofed it.
The rest of us took their advice only after the fact.
Thorne screamed directly behind me; not of pain, but fear. Her voice quickly began to fade.
I stopped and turned as she was dragged back to the battling parasites by a set of tendrils.
"Charger!" She wailed, clawing desperately at the floor in a futile attempt for her hooves to gain purchase.
"Thorne!" I lunged forward, wrapping my claws firmly around her fores just as she was yanked away.
I pulled frantically, trying to break their grasp on her. But they had a firm grip.
I opened fire on some of the tentacles; my heart pounding with fear of losing her. Yet another pony in my departing family...
One of the tendrils lodged into her back, cutting through the armor as if it were never there. Before I had time to react, I was pulled away...
"Thorne, NO!" I reached out my claws desperately as she cried out.
"C'mon!" Rust barked.
... Just before her body disintegrated into flakes of ash...
Electricity erupted around her, expanding at a quickening rate.
Her screams and struggles faded with her...
... She was no more...
The Nekkra that crowded the corridor suffered her same fate.
Rust threw me away from the blast as he ran, and I rolled down the corridor, past the door at the end.
He charged in moments after, but as he breached the doorway, he arched his back, screaming as smoke rose from his form. Electricity ventured across his rigid body.
I stood up and slammed a hoof over the door's panel, to which it slid shut. Rust collapsed on his stomach, gasping and shaking.
No words were said among the group. I didn't know what was to be said...
But I couldn't dwell on this... not now... Not. Now... Damn it...
"Complete the mission, Charger..." Rust shuddered. "I'm done..." With a resigned sigh, he rolled onto his side before sitting against the wall, struggling to look up at me. "I'm sorry about Thorne..."
The whispers came back, resulting in the group and I spinning around to a whole new army of Nekkra. Joy stood between us and them. Everyone, myself included, raised their guns to them.
"Do not fire." She said, keeping her distance. "We desire to aid you."
"Why?" I asked sternly.
"Death is the release of pain. You know that. White Noise carries the wrath of a God inside her. But not like you. She wants to prolong the pain. And so she keeps the souls and torments them."
"And you don't?" I raised a skeptical brow, to which she shook her head.
"We take the bodies, but we release the souls to Death."
"Look, this is great and everything..." Bristle started. "But the more we stand around talking about this, the more we lose."
"Right..." I sighed.
"We will assist the battle on the surface in your favor after we free one Bullet and Hollow... and then we will part ways. But first..."
They stepped aside to reveal a face I wasn't too keen on seeing anytime soon.
Happy grinned as he approached in a calm manner. It was almost weird seeing him without his outfit or hat...
Even weirder seeing the Happy that was in wanted posters. Not Para, but Happy's real identity. The silver coat, the raggedy black mane, the blue eyes...
That subtle bob to his movement never left him, though. As if he was hearing a song I wasn't. Come to think of it, with the knowledge of Tuner, he probably was.
"Long time, no see."
"I was hoping it'd be longer..." I replied with grit teeth.
"Take care of the task at hoof..." Joy filled in abruptly, just before her and the army that accompanied her dissipated into smoke.
"We'll take it from here." Happy said as he regarded the group with an almost heartfelt smile. "The rest of the way is clear. Now go."
"I don't think we can go back at this point." Fluky stated, giving him a weird look. I wasn't so sure even she trusted him now.
I lifted my pipbuck to my lips and spoke. "Bullet, you got help coming your way. Once the place is clear, can you start extracting everyone in the bunker?"
"Of course."
Happy turned and began to walk down the short length of corridor, to which I followed.
"Good luck, Charger..."
I froze dead in my tracks at the voice that wished me good fortune. I soon turned to Bristle to find him nodding.
"I mean it."
...
Without a word, I turned away and continued my course, catching up to Happy.
Death was the release of pain... Happy had been telling me that over and over again. Was it right to kill as a means to release them of 'pain?' As a means to 'save' them?
Rhetorical question...
But I was starting to understand him now.
How long did that take for me to fathom?
My desire to kill myself was to grant me the sweet dismissal of pain. After all, what other reason would there be to off oneself?
I had tried many times through drug and alcohol overdose, and on rare occasion, looking down the barrel of a gun. But I could never bring myself to pull the trigger... no matter how bad I wanted it.
In a way, I already understood Happy's ideology years ago. But my ideals differed.
He enforced it. He murdered.
I believed it should be an option. A choice. Like I had done for myself.
But I guess I enforced it too... I was no better than him. I was a murderer too. How many, I lost count...
I enjoyed it at one point. I was good at it. There was a time I saw it as an art. I made the pain last...
I was worse than Happy...
Did White Noise get her malice, her sadistic nature from me? My past? My anger? Or did she manifest it herself?
I wished I could take it all back...
But I had to own up to what I once was. I had to pay the heavy price of guilt for my sins for the rest of my life.
However long that was...
No matter how much good I did for others, it was never going to be enough. It was never going to make up for what I did.
"Equus to Charger!" Happy said in a cheerful tone, beaming at me. My eyes focused on his blues as we stood at the entrance to an opening.
"Sorry... I was long in thought." I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
He gave a momentary nod before lying his stomach against the steel floor. His shadowed wings flapped a few times as he looked over his shoulder.
"I need you to take me."
"Take you?" I raised a confused brow.
"Mhm! We'll be stronger as an alicorn. I can help guide you through the heart... A troubled past such as yours will definitely need it."
"And what about your past?"
"Me?" He smirked. "I'm not troubled. That's you and everyone else."
With a roll of my eyes, I stepped over him and began to sink into his form.
His scent was... enticing. Like pine needles during a cold, snowy winter.
Unfortunately, it didn't last long...
The metal began to rust and corrode as we became one. The air quickly became sickly. The stench of rotted flesh invaded our nostrils as we grew.
Upon stepping out into the opening, we were greeted with a massive beating, black heart. The palpitating artery was held up in the center of the improvised room by a variety of tentacles that glued themselves to the walls and ceiling.
Several dozen floors had been cut out to fit the beast, revealing to us several hundred openings to other corridors above.
"Is it inside?" I asked as we studied it from afar.
"The generator?" His voice filled my head. "Yes."
"Can we destroy the heart ourselves?"
"At this point, disabling the generator would be your quickest option."
"Everyone's out, Charger." Bullet spoke over comms. "You're good to go... Be safe..."
With a half smile and a single nod in our new body, I spread our wings, ready for takeoff.
"Well, Happy... Let's save the world."


(((((((◉)))))))


We stood in a warehouse. A familiar one, at that. Our body was that of a pegasus colt.
Around us were other children that plead to their captor to be released.
Four stood before us, gutting one of his victims... He seemed to thrive off the fear of his audience. But he grimaced at us. Happy and I specifically. We were the only one among the group that gave no reaction.
He hated that...
I was ashamed that I understood that...
Getting a reaction of fear from a victim was part of the 'fun,' so to speak... Knowing they were terrified of what came next...
Upon blinking, the scenery changed.
The day that led to my promotion as a Steel Ranger...
We stood among a group of others, who were fully dressed in their power armor.
Before us was Bristle, giving his orders... Giving the order...
... And putting me in charge of the operation.
The bitch about memories was that I couldn't change them... I wanted to gun them all down...
Instead, I put a hoof to my forehead in a firm salute.
"Consider it done, sir."
"Dismissed."
As I spun around to lead the assault, the scenery quickly shifted.
Immediately, before I could register it, a zebra's lips pressed against ours. A male, no less.
I almost didn't recognize him until I remembered the photograph Happy had with him. I still didn't have a name for the zebra. Last time I asked, he didn't seem too interested in telling me.
I was unaware they were lovers.
We closed our eyes at the affection, but the sensation soon faded.
When our eyes opened, we were back in the bunker, directing fire from the front of the squad to the unicorns...
Children, adults, it didn't matter...
All for a fucking promotion...
I closed my eyes tight, gritting my teeth.
"Stop!"
I never wanted to relive that again!
"Why am I seeing all this!?"
"White Noise is trying to get into your head. Distract you. Hurt you." Happy replied. "My memories are there to avoid that. Keep pushing back. I'll carry you... We don't have much farther."
With a deep exhale, I nodded and opened our eyes once more.
Our back was pressed against my old mattress as a white coated mare held us close; her muzzle buried in the fur of our chest as she snoozed. Our arms wrapped around her in a comforting embrace.
I missed her...
But I knew she was in a better place now... She was happy.
I wished I had kissed her back when this memory was born. Just so I could kiss her now...
One last time...
I foolishly closed our eyes to join in her slumber.
They shot open seconds later in a surprised awakening.
We were in the air, but we had no wings. More rather, we were in a gyrocopter, of all things...
I was hardly given any time to take it all in, before a large steel object crashed into us. We both plummeted to the land far below.
I wasn't sure what it was that hit us, but I knew it came from above. I only received a mere glimpse of it, and it wasn't anything I had seen on Equus...
As we dropped from the blue skies, the scenery shifted...
To a steel shower floor...
I knew immediately what this was before we even hit the ground...
Hot water rained down on our back as our tail was lifted by the stallion that towered over us.
I clenched our eyes shut as he pressed against our rear end... stretching us, forcing his way in...
... I remembered the line, and how many rounds I had to go through that day...
I didn't really have much of a likeness for the number 24 because of that...
Upon closing our eyes, we stood in the Saddle forest, looking up as the Steel Ranger vertibucks flew overhead, moments before simultaneously, they began a sudden descent, spinning out of control.
In the distance, an amplified scream of anger and sorrow reached our ears.
It was Fluky...
She caused the crash!
Her magic outbursts were almost terrifying.
One step in the forest, and everything faded to black.
All we could see now was the generator. Directly ahead.
"Just remove the batteries." Happy instructed as we approached.
I stopped before the panel that contained the rest of the batteries. If they burnt to the touch, then the Nekkra Heart would have been burning away. So at least I knew they weren't going to hurt us.
I grabbed a hold of one of the cylindrical powerhouses, and together, with all our might, we pulled.
A flurry of memories rushed through, clouding our vision. Every single ranger that took what wasn't theirs to take flashed before our eyes. Each experience I had ran through my body, causing our bones to tremble.
"Fight it!" Happy shouted from within. "Don't let it get to you!"
I screamed as I winced our eyes shut, pulling at the battery relentlessly.
It soon gave in, to which Happy absorbed into our chest.
Upon moving onto the next battery, a whole new - or rather, old - set of memories flashed before us.
Every unicorn I ever tortured or killed in the bunker... Years of murder stained our hooves... The look in their eyes moments before I struck flashed in memory...
"Fuck off..." I hissed as together, we pulled at the second battery.
Once it was removed, Happy absorbed it. He seemed to be collecting them, and I didn't know how I felt about that. But I'd deal with that later...
The next memory caught me by surprise, among a mental scar that had me halt my efforts.
Firebright stood beside me as we pulled at the battery. Crying, screaming in desperation as the laws of gravity began to cease.
Everyone's life depended on us. Just like now...
Out came the third battery, only to join the other two. Three, if I counted the UPC-07 I had been carrying around with me in secret. I hoped he didn't know where it was.
As we grabbed a hold of the fourth battery, a voice spoke from within the beating heart.
My voice...
It didn't sound like White Noise, though. This was something else...
"It's amusing, really. The world took everything from you, and yet, you still defend its old ways. You are powerful. You are a fucking God. Why ask, when you can simply take what is owed to you?"
"And what are you proposing?" I asked just after ripping the fourth battery from its slot. Only one remained...
"We can work together, you and I. Pull our... heh... resources together to become what we deserve."
With a roll of our eyes, I grabbed the final battery.
"That'll be a hard, flat no."
There was an amused chuckle with a hint of arousal.
"Mmmh... Good... I was hoping you would choose to do things the hard way... We will see which God is better... assuming you survive what our beloved daughter has planned for you."
We ripped the final battery out from the generator, and the light within it diminished as Happy absorbed the powerhouse.
Immediately following the generator's dismissal, electric red engulfed us. I hadn't realized my rear hoof was emitting electricity.
Thankfully, it was hurting neither Happy or I. But the heart...
Heh...
It was screaming without a voice.
The massive organ pumped and trembled as electricity ventured its mass.
In the midst of its struggles, we were thrown out from the beast.
"-er, respond!" Dream Catcher shouted over comms just as we left the darkness. "CHARGER, DO YOU READ!?"
We slid along the floor upon landing for a brief moment. I hastily brought our hoof to our lips.
"Drop the payload now!"
Bullet Storm teleported before us, and within the second, we were back on the surface. Beside a combative Titan, in the middle of the battlefield.
"I'll teleport everyone out once the bomb drops!" Bullet shouted over the gunfire and roaring engines of the vertibucks and raptors that flew overhead, towards the pit.
"Nauticus." Bullet continued as she looked up at the fleet. "Throw another salvo at the hive."
"On it."
I spread our wings and took to the air, bolting after the fleet. They needed all the help they could get at this point. Titan's assault was definitely helping.
The bombshells of Cerberus' heavy artillery soared across the air, quickly ending their journey in an inferno at the hive's main entrance and exit.
Happy reached Chair out to me as we closed in on an alicorn that was in the midst of tearing through the hull of a raptor.
I swung the blades to the side as I passed, splitting them in two across the middle. It shrieked, but I didn't stick around to see or hear its end. There was some more killing needing doing.
A sharp pain of dry ice developed in our back as we neared the front of the raptor. It hindered our movement, only for a moment.
Our horn spun with fueled aggression bursting out as we turned around, delivering a lethal blast of Death's gifted wrath to two of our enemies. They had very little time to evade before they were no more of a concern to anyone.
With a quick twirl to face what was ahead, we raced forward. A hunger grew within...
A pegasus became our next target. Our next meal. They were distracted with their attack against a vertibuck.
Crashing into them from behind, we dug our claws into their chest, tearing it open from side to side. Our teeth sank deep into their neck before they had a chance to fight back, and with that, we launched ourselves off the vehicle with our victim in tow.
It attempted to escape our grasp - feebly, we might add - as its strength diminished rapidly to restore ours as we ate of it.
It squirmed about in our maw as we took its body in by the second. It fought deep within, but it must have known by now that it was no use. It's movement slowed as we broke it down for energy. Until there was nothing left.
"Dropping the payload!" A mare shouted over comms as the bottom of a raptor ahead of us slid open. "Buy me a drink when we get ba-"
A colossal mass of twisted, distorted flesh, steel, and buildings shot up from the bunker, devouring the bomber in one bite. Several dozen tendrils ventured up to the heavens as it looked down at us.
"THIS ENDS NOW." The beast roared. "BEAR WITNESS TO THE DEMISE OF ALL YOU HOLD DEAR."
White Noise took the beast from the apartments over!?
I guess that explained why I hadn't heard of it recently! Fuck, I should have been paying attention!
The fleet dispersed around the colossus, but it didn't seem to be interested in attacking anyone, despite the constant assault that was being put against it.
It seemed to be more focused on reaching out to the vortex...
Titan's laser drilled a hole into its side, but as soon as it disappeared, the wound began to close.
It was regenerating too fast to do any damage to it like this!
The tendrils reached up to the rim of the vortex, and as they spread further apart, the rift began to stretch out.
The air became more sickly than ever... The sky blackened, and a heavy roar droned on. Like a band of the deepest, loudest trumpets. Or tectonic plates shifting.
White Noise wasn't just seeking to destroy Nekkra Death...
I had to figure out how to open it, rather than breaking the glass and crawling through like a trespasser, for I feared that the consequences would be cataclysmic. I theorized that forcing my way out would destroy entire galaxies. Obliterate the fabric of everything that was and will be.
Existential dread washed over us...
"We need to close the rift!" Tuner spoke in a panic.
"How!?" I replied quickly, staring up at it as it involuntary spread apart.
"Well, Death gave you some of his power, didn't he? Figure it out!"
...
"Thunder, Wolfheart. Regroup on the ground."
"Copy." Wolfheart replied.
"Charger..." Hollow's voice was filled with a deep regret. "There's no time..."
"I'm not giving up!" I screamed as we nose dived for the surface.
"Never said anything about giving up..." There was a momentary pause over the channel before she continued. "I love you and Scope so much..."
"Why... are you saying that?" Scope asked nervously.
"... Because I don't know if I'm coming back from this..."
"W-what?" I balked as our wings froze for a moment. "Wait, no!" I stared up at the expansion in the sky. "We can fix this!"
"Bullet..."
"Yes, ma'am..." She replied in a mournful tone. "I'll see you on the other side, comrade..."
"Mom?" Panic began to fill my heart as if a dam just broke. "Mom, please listen! We just need more-"
The ground was torn asunder, swallowing trees, rock, dirt, and detritus.
It was then that the beast recoiled for a split second, before a white orb of light engulfed it.
A heavy turbulence rocked the sky while land collapsed into a pit that had no end to the naked eye.
Wisps ventured out of the expansion as it devoured all it touched.
"HOLLOW!"
Vertibucks, raptors, pegasi, and Nekkra fell to the pit below. We were no exception...
One by one, our allies blipped out of thin air.
We stared up at the vortex as we plummeted to a new abyss, until it too was consumed by the heavy mass of light.
Before too long, the sky shifted, and our back slammed against the ground.
The roar of the blast continued off in the distance.
I got up on our hooves and watched the orb engulf both land and sky...
"HOLLOW!" I screamed as my rear hoof burst with anger, sorrow, and despair...
A hoof rested on our shoulder, and looking down at our left, Bullet met our gaze.
"There's a chance she made it, Charger... She's practically mastered soul transfer spells..."
I turned back to the blinding light just as it began to hastily shrink in on itself, until it eventually blinked out of existence, taking everything it touched with...
Our insides twisted and warped as Happy left the fusion, trotting away casually. He received a few odd looks from the party around us.
I sat on my haunches as I fixated my gaze on the ruins of what was once my home.
I could only hope that she made it to... something.
The bunker was gone. White Noise was gone. But so was the vortex...
I didn't know what that meant for me, Happy, or Nekkra Death. I didn't know if he survived...
Thorne was gone...
I looked around us at the hoofful that made it. Searching for their loved ones, crying in each other's arms, or too shaken up to express emotions...
So many were gone...
So... many... that I didn't even know...
So many died... for this...
The heavy hoof steps of power armor approached from behind. Titan's was soon to accompany them.
I looked over my shoulder to find Bristle and two of his men holding me at gun point.
With a defeated sigh, I turned back to the ruins.
"So this is it then, huh?"
"You're not gonna fight?" Bristle asked curiously. "With all that hate you have towards me, I'd have ex-"
"No, Bristle..." I said quickly. "I'm done fighting... If you're gonna kill me, then do it... But I'm done..."
The ground trembled suddenly, and looking over my shoulder again, I was greeted with Titan's hoof sliding along the ground behind me, getting between Bristle and I.
"Leave him." He said in a grave tone. "He's under my protection."
... Well, that certainly raised a brow.
Looking up, I saw he was regarding Bristle and his men.
Everyone else seemed to be lost in their own world to care about what was happening here with the exception of Bullet, Sora, and Dream Catcher, who watched from afar.
"I don't seek to end your life, Charger." Bristle stated, raising his voice a little only to be heard. "Not right now, anyways... There's been enough fighting for today. I only had you at gunpoint in case you had any ideas. I think it's time we put our differences aside for now and paid our respects to the dead... said our goodbye's..."
Did I hear that right...?
Could it be? Bristle actually had a heart after all?
"Can you see to it that everyone's ready to head back to Dead Sector? That includes you and your men."
"Why us?"
Titan withdrew his hoof, to which we regarded each other once more. I turned to face him completely.
"We all suffered losses. We're all paying a heavy price. I'm offering sanctuary to anyone that needs a place to rest. At least for a little while... So long as they're respectful of others. You said it yourself, after all. It's time we put aside our differences. It's the right thing to do..."
Bristle nodded slowly. "You really are one of a kind... Alright. I'll check in with the others and help them get prepped. And... Charger?"
I raised a brow in response, awaiting for him to continue his thought.
He turned his back to us before speaking in a softer tone.
"Thank you..."
He and his soldiers left the scene, to which Titan turned to me as I to him. His armor was badly dented and clawed, but he didn't seem hurt.
A speck of white frost dropped down on my nose, sending a cold chill through my nostrils. I lifted my eyes to the white, gloomy sky as winter began to fall down to the war-torn Equestria.
Snow melted into my coat and mane, and coated the surface with a frozen rain.
Titan took a small step back, and without so much as a word, kneeled down on a foreleg. His muzzle was about a foot away from me.
"You have my respect..." He whispered through my pipbuck.
In all my life, I had never expected to see CrimsonThunder, one of my worst enemies, bowing down to me and saying I had his respect...
I was short a few words from the surprise...
I reached a claw out, running it lightly along his muzzle as I looked up at him, smiling wanly.
Calmly, he stood all, looking down at me again.
"I'm leaving, Charger."
"Leaving?" My ears wilted almost instinctually. "Where?"
"I'm not sure yet... But you gave me a lot to think about. I need to find myself. I need to change... see who I really am. Because the life I've been living... it doesn't feel like me anymore. I'm not so sure that ever was truly me... I don't know... maybe I'm confused... Which is why I need to find myself..."
My smile widened a little as I nodded.
"Will I ever... see you again?" That felt weird to ask.
"I don't know. Perhaps with what time I have left, I can join your community if I ever return... I like what I saw there. It was new... and I want more of it. I know now that you have what it takes to lead... And to do things right."
He turned and began to walk.
"Wait!" I shouted, getting up and stepping forward.
He came to a halt and looked over his shoulder at me.
"Don't you want to stop and rest at Dead Sector first? Pay your respects? Maybe... I dunno, find a way for you to share a drink with the rest of us?"
"There is no rest for the likes of me, Charger. My past sins will make sure of that beyond my last breath."
"... Right..." I spoke softly as I sat on my haunches again.
"We all have our own ways of paying our respects. I think ponies would rest easier if I wasn't there..." There was a brief pause between us, before he resumed once more. "When you see Arctic Ice again, can you tell her..."
...
"Tell her what?" I cocked my head to the side.
He looked ahead of him as he continued. "... Tell her she'll raise a kid a million times better than their father ever was."
"... I'll tell her..."
With a single nod, he began his journey to the east.
Rust landed beside me as he holstered his rifle to his back, while Scope took my other side.
"I lifted the barrier. No one's being held captive anymore."
"You okay, Charger...?" Scope's hoof rested on my shoulder moments before I sighed.
"I guess we'll see when we get back home..."
> Channel 003.8; Winter Sound
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Uh, beg pardon Rarity, but, uh, we don't normally wear clothes."


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


White noise screamed abruptly from my pipbuck, knocking me out of my slumber. Despite the nuisance, I stayed still, enticed by the warmth and touch that enveloped me.
Two forehooves held me from behind, meeting at my chest. Their hindlegs entwined with mine as they pressed their body against me.
I groaned softly as I brought one of his hooves to my lips, kissing at it lightly. The whiskey from last night stained my breath.
Carefully, so as to not disturb Petiole, I slipped out of bed and turned off the noise from my pipbuck, before grabbing my lighter, cigs, slipping on my aviators, and stepping out of our room.
I stepped into the cabin of the locomotive and out onto the catwalk, looking out at the early winter dawn and the slumbering Dead Sector. Above and behind me was the name, 'DEATH EXPRESS,' crudely written in a darker black than the train's paint color. A circle was drawn over the A in DEATH.
Beside that, towards the front, was another name. CRAZY TRAIN. On the other side, being the left catwalk, was D-ZUG and VALKYRIE.
Each name represented a train car. D-ZUG was the locomotive itself. CRAZY TRAIN was the sleeping cabin, DEATH EXPRESS was the turret car, and VALKYRIE was the tarmac. We had decided to use the names as a means of tactical placement during battles in the - hopefully - not-so-near future. Code names, and the like. With the help of Tuner's recommendations... and countless hours of music browsing.
The air was cold with winter. Snow glided down, gradually thickening the layer that had been building up overnight.
I slid the butt of a cigarette in my mouth and lit the end, before taking a pull off it.
The silence that came with winter was new to me. It was definitely welcoming.
"Tuner?" I asked in a near whisper before blowing a torrent of smoke and breath out.
"Morning, Charger." He replied in the same tone.
"Can I ask something of you?"
"You just did."
He chuckled as I deadpanned, then continued.
"What's on your mind?"
"I wanna know how Titan is doing."
"What a peculiar request, coming from you..." He said with a hint of amusement.
I shrugged before taking another pull.
"He's changing. I want to know his progress."
"Not by much. Fucker decided to join a group called the Reapers."
I raised a brow as I kept my eyes on the town in the distance.
"Reapers?"
"Yeah, they're kinda like a super mercenary group or something. Very tight knit."
"Where are they?" I asked with a head tilt.
"Hoofington."
"So much for finding himself..." I muttered with an eyeroll.
"Well, I wouldn't be so quick to judge. The Reapers recently helped save the entire east coast from a tyrant. Not to mention a cataclysmic event..."
"Seems there's a lot of those happening lately. End of the world..." A soft chuckle escaped me as I shook my head. "It's funny... He leaves one heroic group, only to join another across the wasteland."
"It is, isn't it? He seems pretty hesitant on taking a life, after leaving you. Yet the Reapers call him Diet-Deus."
"Diet-Deus? Why?"
Tuner laughed. "Oh, you'll have to ask them that if you ever meet them..."
"Noted..." I paused for a moment as I thought. "What about Happy? What's he up to?"
"Still staying put in his old town. Been tending to his house more than anything else. I swear, I'm starting to think the guy has OCD. One speck of dust is out of line for him."
I chuckled softly as a hint of a smile curled on my lips.
"Well, so long as he's staying put, then that's good for us. Means he's not hurting anyone." Another thought ran through my head... "And Hollow...?"
Tuner sighed, which caused my brow to knit instinctually.
"Charger... do I even need to say it?"
"I refuse to believe she just died. That's not like her."
"It is if she loves her children." Tuner snapped. "She sacrificed herself for you and Scope. For everyone. You gotta let go..."
"Like it's so easy..." I hissed. "I haven't even let go of Snow Star yet. Not entirely, anyways. I've never been good at letting go..."
A set of hooves approached from behind me, and before too long, Petiole's lips pressed against my cheek as a hoof wrapped around my shoulder.
"Morning, dear." He whispered into my ear.
I cracked a smile and leaned into him as I took in the feeling of his presence.
"Morning, Pretty."
"It's Petiole, actually." He chuckled.
"Still pretty to me." My smile widened gradually as I turned to him. He smiled in turn before nuzzling my nose.
I never thought I'd fall for a ghoul...
Maybe I secretly was a necrophiliac.
"Hardly." He rolled his eyes, to which I bapped him on the chest, frowning.
"It's what is inside that counts." After a momentary ponder, I resumed. "You're not racist towards unicorns still, right?"
"I'm dating one, aren't I?"
"Good answer." I smirked. "Then yeah. It's what's inside that counts."
Fluky trotted out happily with a wide grin of excitement displayed.
On her back were a set of saddle bags, both of which had pencils, pens, notebooks, and various comics sticking out.
"Hiya, Robutt!" She beamed up at me after stopping at my side. "Hiya, Petiole!"
"Good morning to you too, Fluky." He replied with a caring smile. "Excited for your first day at school?"
"You bet!" She exclaimed with a little hop. "I've never been to school before!"
With a raised brow, I spoke. "Wait... not even in Saddle?"
"Nope! Our parents were our teachers, and we mostly learned to read, write, and how to trade. And survive..." Suddenly, her face went from cheerful to gloomy. "It was sooooo boring! But now I get to learn new things! And make more friends! And share comics! Eeeeeeee!"
She bounced up and down continuously, unable to contain her excitement any longer.
Petiole and I both shared a laugh as she expressed herself.
"Is Aura and Black Rock awake?" I asked with a sincere smile, to which she looked puzzled.
"I thought they already left. They weren't in the sleeping quarters when I woke up."
Petiole and I both shared a look of uncertainty before I sighed.
"I think I know where those two ran off to. I'll go get them."
"Can I come with?" Fluky asked quickly. "I really wanted to walk to school with them!"
With a soft chuckle, I nodded. "Of course, sweet pea."
"Ah, yeah!" She pumped her hoof to the air triumphantly. "Best. Day. Ever! We're going on a roadtrip!"
"More like a small little walk." Petiole said amusingly.
She scrunched her muzzle for a moment in response, before cheering again. "Ah, yeah! Walktrip!"
She pushed her forehooves against me impatiently, not letting a second pass to catch her breath.
"C'mon, Robutt! I don't wanna be late!"
With a grin, I nodded. "I'll race you."
Her eyes lit up with further excitement that came with the challenge.
"You're on! Last one to... uh..." She stared, dumbfounded for a moment. "Where are we going again?"
"Aura's bar."
"Right!" She beamed. "Last one to Aura's bar is a rotten, worm ridden apple! Threetwoonego!"
Before I could register her hasty countdown, she turned and raced for the stairs in Crazy Train.
"Betcha can't catch meeeeeeeeee!" Fluky howled with laughter as she raced across the snowy plains between the factory and Dead Sector.
"Ah, shit. Petiole, I gotta-"
Just as I turned to him, his lips lightly pressed against mine. My eyes shot open wide for a moment, before I relaxed to the feeling. A soft shade of black enveloped my cheeks as I pushed into him a little.
Eventually, he pulled back, smiling. "Go on, baby. I'll see you later."
A cheeky grin developed on my face as I nodded happily.
I leapt off the catwalk and chased after her shortly after.


(((((((◉)))))))


Upon entering, we were greeted with an empty bar, save for one pony. Whiskey River.
Fluky giggled giddily as we trotted in, both of us out of breath from the race.
"I should've placed bets." Fluky remarked, grinning back at me.
"You've been running a marathon behind my back, haven't you?"
"Maybe." She winked, before turning to Whiskey.
"Morning, Fluky." She smiled as she reached under the counter, only to come back up with a Sparkle Cola, to which she slid it over to the filly.
"Thanks, River!" She beamed as she grabbed it with her magic. She slowly levitated it to her saddle bags with all her attention poured into not dropping it. Whiskey and I watched until she dropped it into the bag, to which she beamed up at her again.
"You can call me Whiskey, dear. I don't mind."
"Yeah, but whiskey is bitter and gross! And you're sweet!"
"Like a river...?" I raised a questioning brow as I regarded the two of them.
Fluky pondered for a moment, before a mental light bulb flashed in her head.
"A river of Sparkle Cola, maybe?"
Whiskey and I shared a laugh before Fluky continued.
"It's not the best analog, but I'm trying!" She huffed.
"Analogy." Whiskey and I both said in unison, exchanging a pleasant smile.
"Yeah, that." Fluky smiled nervously.
I ran my hoof through her mane as I regarded Whiskey.
"How's your morning?"
"Decent. Covering Aura's shift while she goes to school. I'm assuming that's why you're here?"
I nodded quietly.
"She's still downstairs, as far as I know."
"Thanks, Whiskey."
Her smile widened as she nodded. Fluky trotted away happily, heading for the stairs that led down to Love Strain.
"You down for some Ogres and Oubliettes tonight?"
"Hell yes." She grinned. "I made a new character last night I really wanna try out. Stealth mage."
My eyes lit up as a grin formed.
"Can't wait to see that."
We bumped hooves, and I began my approach for Love Strain.
When I first met Whiskey, she was depressed. Hated her job, hated everything around her... But now she seemed really upbeat. Happy. She had friends here, but she still had the same job. By her choice, no less. She volunteered to help Aura with her bar. For a while, I couldn't figure it out. Eventually, the two conclusions I came to were this.
One, she either needed a change of scenery, or two, she hated being under the NCR flag.
Perhaps both.
There was no music playing in Love Strain, and none of the lights were flashing. More rather, the ceiling lights enveloped the club in a white light while Nekkra worked on the upgrade.
Something rammed against my rear end, wrapping a series of tendrils around my legs and barrel as it suctioned itself to my ass.
"Good morning, daddy..." Wolfheart whispered in my ear, just before nibbling at it. I felt a tendril begin to slide in...
I rolled my eyes and chuckled under my breath, before lightly bucking him.
"Alright, alright... Enough of that now."
Wolfheart slithered further up my body, venturing over and around my head before assuming his 'pony' form in front of Fluky and I. He looked down at her and smiled, patting her on the head.
"And how is this little ray of sunshine doing?"
"I'm doing great!" She beamed. "First day of school!"
"I heard! I hope you have a wonderful experience." He grinned at us, which was almost intimidating alone. But I knew he meant well.
"How's the renovation going?" I asked with a gentle smile.
He looked around and shrugged. "It's going decent. We're almost done with the private rooms. Pretty soon the ground will be a dance floor!"
"Sounds exciting." My eyes drifted to Fluky, who seemed to be ecstatic about the idea of tearing up the dance floor that was soon to be.
"Fluky, dear. Why don't you go check on Aura and Black Rock? Make sure they're getting ready for school? Wolfheart and I gotta talk."
Playfully, she put a hoof to her forehead in a salute before running off to Aura's hatch.
I turned back to my son as he turned back to me.
"What's on your mind?" He asked gently.
I took a step forward as I kept my voice low.
"I need an army, Wolfheart... I feel a war brewing, and with the NCR having already left and Omegas' warning about their plan, I feel it coming sooner rather than later."
"O-oh..." A grin developed on his face for a moment.
"We're lucky they didn't try taking the train back."
"More like they're lucky." He stated. "They didn't have the numbers to try."
"And neither did we to defend it..." I replied even quieter.
"True..." Wolfheart looked down as his smile faltered.
With a subtle nod, I continued.
"I need you to make the army."
"With pleasure..." He growled softly as his smile returned. His tail swayed left to right. "What strain do you want to use?"
"What do you mean?"
"If I breed others, the hatchlings will carry my strain with a hint of yours, since I came from you. But if you lay your eggs inside... say... me... then it'll mostly be your strain. The further down the line of breeding, the less the original Nekkra Heart of the strain will be."
... There was a lot I needed to learn about the Nekkra...
"Why don't we mix it up a bit? You have your strain, and I have mine."
"Mmh..." He stepped closer, inches from my muzzle as a series of tendrils wrapped around the back of my head and neck. "Sounds like fun..."
"I'm not fucking you, though. I'll give you my eggs and you can put them inside you, but I'm taken."
"Is that the only reason?" He said as he stepped a little closer.
"... That, and I'm still a bit weirded out with the idea of fucking my son. Hell, it's weird enough that I'm breeding you to make an army."
With a chuckle, he nudged my shoulder, maintaining a wry smirk. His Nekkra sultry whisper was followed with a wink.
"Sounds like a great fanfic..."
"Don't make it weird!" I hissed.
His only response was a light giggle - which was still unnerving as hell to hear from a Nekkra - and the playful stick of his tongue.
A small side note of a thought popped into my head at that very moment.
Tongues were just meat tentacles. Everyone had a tentacle inside them.
Mmph...
Thunderwing was gonna hate that...
I patted him on the shoulder.
"I'll give them to you later. I gotta take my girls to school."
"Sounds like excuses." He said as his tendrils loosened their grip.
I pulled him in for a brief hug, before whispering into his ear.
"... Only partly..."
He burst into another giggle as he scurried off.
Upon reaching the hatch, I slid down the ladder to find Fluky pouting at Aura and Black Rock, who laid side by side. Aura had a belt loosely tied around her foreleg.
I sighed as I stepped forward.
"Aura, you gotta go to school."
"Don't wanna. Not gonna." She mumbled, staring up at the ceiling with dilated pupils. "With the new floor plan and the new business arrangement, I'm gonna be even more racked up with customers. Gotta take care of my shit."
With a deadpan and a soft electrical current running through my hoof, I spoke flatly.
"Whiskey River is taking care of things. You, comrade Bloodshot, are going to school."
"And the same goes to you, Black Rock!" Fluky blurted, to which they both groaned in protest.
"Nope. Interrupts my sacred holiday." She muttered, to which Fluky scoffed.
"But every day is National Anarchy Day!"
Black Rock raised her upper body, supporting herself with two forehooves pressed against the bed as she smiled faintly.
"And it always will be..." She whispered in mirth.
"Until the communists come back and own you..." Aura said with a growing smile as she ran a hoof up and down her back.
Black Rock flinched away and scowled at her.
"Not a chance, Red. Anarchy wins. And if you touch me again, I'm gonna pull your arm out of it's fucking socket."
"Mmh..." Aura shrugged, putting her arm down. "Give it time..."
"No." Black Rock huffed as she crossed her arms.
"Both of you." I stomped my hoof down, glaring. They both quickly turned to me with wide, startled eyes. "School. Now. And no threatening my daughter."
Aura sighed as she removed the belt and rolled off the bed.
"Aw maaaaaan..." She began tossing a variety of random items that were hardly school worthy into her saddle bags.
"This stinks..." Black Rock said as she grabbed her neckerchief, which carried the same symbol as her cutiemark.
"Bullet is making sweet rolls for the class." Fluky beamed.
"And if you two behave yourselves, I'll personally throw together a secret class session on Anarcho-Syndicalism, after the main session."
"Anarcho what's-it?" Black Rock raised a curious brow.
"Kinda like the middle ground of anarchy and a form of communism."
"Whoaaa..." The two of them simultaneously said as they stared in wonder.
"How does that work?" Aura asked with a grin, just before slipping a half empty bottle of Wild Pegasus into her bag.
I stared flatly at her saddle bag for a moment, to which she chuckled.
"Whaaaaaat?"
"You'll find out how it works if you behave. But I recommend being sober for the lesson."
"Aww, fiiiiiine..." She huffed as she levitated the bottle out of her bag and back under the bed. She then proceeded to slip a pack of cigs into the same bag. "But I don't go anywhere without my smokies."
"Fine. But smoke away from the other children."
"Deal!" She beamed as she slipped her leather jacket and saddle bags on. She put her hat on afterwards. "Can I take a few more shots for the road? I'm feeling the shakes..."
"No." I replied with a scowl, to which she frowned and rolled her eyes.
"Fiiiiiine... Mr. Buzzkill."


(((((((◉)))))))


As we walked into the class, Aura and Black Rock started mumbling to themselves as they kept their head down.
I didn't need to understand what they were saying to know that they were already regretting being here.
I ran a hoof through Aura's mane as we walked in, to which she looked up at me and smiled, though it didn't last long.
We stopped in the back of the class as Fluky trotted to an empty desk happily. She stripped herself of her saddle bags before taking a seat.
A lot of the classmates conversed with one another. The room was filled with cheerful smiles on friendly faces. It didn't matter who belonged to which faction here. This place was going to be good for Aura and Black Rock.
It was already looking good for Fluky. She looked happy.
The teacher stepped into view on my right, and upon facing him, he smiled and nodded.
"Good morning to you, Charger."
I smiled back. "Good morning to you, Oku. Thanks for actually calling me by my name for once."
He took a whiff of the air, before raising a disapproving brow at me.
"Uh..." I grinned sheepishly as I subtly pointed a hoof at Aura and her friend. "That's not me..."
Aura glanced over at the teacher.
"What, you tryin' to snort a fart?"
"Piss off!" Black Rock shouted, glaring at him.
Oku looked from the two disruptive fillies to me in disappointment.
"You try telling them to stop with the substance abuse." I whispered. "It doesn't end well..."
He rolled his eyes before looking back down at them. "Come Aura, come Black Rock." He spoke in a relaxing tone of voice. "Why don't we get you situated?"
Aura looked up at me, to which I nodded to her. "Go on, dear. It's okay."
With a nod, she and her friend stepped up to Oku's side as he walked toward the front of the class.
"Attention, every creature!" He chirped to the class, getting the attention he requested. "We have two new students joining us. They're going to be introducing themselves now, so please be respectful."
He nodded to Aura to the front of the room as the class silenced themselves.
"You first, starling."
Aura looked uneasy, but regardless, she stepped up to the chalkboard, then slowly turned to face the other students, who quietly stared back at her. For a second, she displayed a blank, tired expression, before it morphed into rage.
"THE FUCK YOU ALL LOOKIN' AT!?"
The students that consisted of changelings, zebra, thestrals, pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies recoiled as she yelled, and Oku and I both shared the same worried look.
"U-uh, if I may!" Fluky raised a hoof to the air.
"Of course, Fluky." Oku said with a gentle but nervous smile.
She slipped out of her seat and trotted up to Aura, who continued glaring at everyone as she breathed deeply, gritting her teeth. She looked like she was about to murder everyone!
Fluky tapped her on the shoulder, to which she looked over.
"Aura, start with saying your name, and tell them a bit about yourself."
"Oh..." She smiled softly. "So they want stories, huh?" Her smile grew into a wide grin as she turned to the class.
"Hey, fuckers! The name's Bloodshot, but you can call me your 'not-so-friendly neighborhood raider!'"
"Language, please." Oku drawled.
"Ah... right. Totally forgot you're all sensitive little bitches to sound. Especially those bat ponies, am I right?"
Well, now a portion of the class was glaring at her...
"Language, Aura." Oku raised his voice slightly, to which she rolled her eye.
"Well, here's a bit about me. I'm the daughter of the best damn demon in the wasteland. I love to smoke, drink, and my favorite chem is Dash with a side of Med-x! You wanna party? I'm the gal to come to! I mean really party! Like, balls to butts, man!"
Oku's jaw dropped as he turned to me.
"Uh, Aura..." I called out. "Find a place to sit, dear..."
"You got it!" She said happily as she trotted to the teacher's desk. She proceeded to take a seat and kicked her rear hooves up on the surface as her fores resided behind her head.
"Hey, you can't sit there!" One of the students cried out.
"Like hell I can't!"
"Yeah!" Black Rock said with a menacing grin. "Break the system!"
"It's... fine." Oku said with a passive smile. "Don't worry about it. I'll just... take a desk..." He moved to sit with the rest of the class.
"Awesome." Aura replied as she pulled out her pack of cigs. She slid one into her mouth and lit the end with her magic, before taking a deep pull off it. "Hey, this school thing ain't so bad after all!"
She was rewarded with an audience of disturbed looks as she exhaled. Looking back at them with a glare, she barked.
"What in the fuck are all of you looking at!? It's a fucking eyepatch, alright! My eye was ripped out! Go eat a bag of dicks!"
Several of the thestrals in class began to screech in protest as they glared at her.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
Fluky let out an exasperated sigh as she covered her face with a hoof.
"Aura!" I shouted, to which she tensed up and looked at me, evidently startled. "What have I said about behaving? Put out the cigarette and sit with the other students. Behave yourself!"
"Y-yes, dad..." She sighed and put the cig out atop Oku's desk, before tossing it back in her pack.
From there, she got up and slowly made her way to an empty spot, between a changeling that was caught snickering, and a thestral that continued to scowl at her.
With a resigned sigh, I turned to Oku, who then turned to me.
"She's all yours... Good luck."
With a faint smile, he nodded once. "She'll come around. Her and Black Rock both. Thank you for allowing me this role."
"Thank you for accepting it. Figured an immortal would have quite a bit of knowledge to pass around for younger generations." I leaned in closer and whispered. "And let me know how Aura and Black Rock are after class."
"Certainly." He whispered back, smiling a little brighter.


(((((((◉)))))))


Just as I took a seat at a bonfire with a hot bowl of soup in my grasp, did Nauticus sit beside me. I didn't hear or see him coming.
"Morning, Nauticus." I said before taking a sip of the soup.
"Morning, troublemaker." He replied with a hint of a smile. "Word is that this will be your first winter on the surface."
"The word is correct." I glanced up at the snowflakes that drifted down to gravity's will. "It's unfortunate that we missed Hearthswarming."
He shrugged as his lips curled a little more. "Well, who's to say you can't throw a belated one? At a time like now, community is needed more than ever before. I mean, fuck..." He hung his head down and scoffed; a plume of his breath shot out into the winter cold. "This is the last of the survivors in the northwest corner of Equestria. There's no other life around here for hundreds of miles. In every direction... And with Bristle, Fester, and Bleeding Skies rebuilding their infrastructure, I think it's worth recommending that you give them a hospitality that they can look back on."
I raised a brow as I turned from the fire to him.
"You think they're gonna attack soon...?"
"I don't know, Charger..." He said in a near whisper. "But even if they don't have that in mind, an act of kindness can go a long way. Who knows?" He stood up, gazing down at me with a sincere look in his eyes. "It might even work in your favor." With that, he turned and walked for a moment, before coming to a stop.
"Afraid to say I won't be there for it, unfortunately. I appreciate you letting us stay, but I gotta head to Zebrica for a supply run."
"Will I see you again?" I asked as he turned back to me.
"Of course. Dead Sector made it in my list of trade and taxi routes. I'll even try to steer some surface dwellers towards here. The northwest could use more life after what happened."
A smile curled on my lips as I nodded.
"Thank you."
He tipped his hat to me, before turning and leaving.
"Charger." Bullet spoke telekinetically as I took another sip of my soup.
"Present."
"The counsel is ready for our hearing. Teleporting you on your word."
I tilted the bowl a little more, taking a few more gulps before retreating it.
"Alright..." I set the bowl down. "Do it."
In an instant, my body was warped into the living room of the house that came with the property of Dead Sector.
Rust, now fully stripped of his armor, laid face down on the couch I was stuck to after the apartment heist.
Humans looked weird...
Yet a little arousing, at the same time...
Damn it, Charger...
His dark brown hair went down to his brow. His red eyes stared deep into mine for a moment upon me teleporting.
This was the first time I was seeing him without his armor!
I wasn't quite sure what was happening with his rear hooves... if they could even be called that. They had weird, stubby, gross looking tentacles sticking out of them! Or extremely dull claws. I couldn't tell...
Same with his forehooves, or... whatever those were. Claws? I dunno...
And what the hell was going on with his... what was that, his nose!?
Aliens were weird!
... And I liked it...
He turned his head to face away from me as Bullet sat atop his rear end, pressing her red, glowing hooves against his gruesomely scarred back; the scars themselves traveled across his flesh like a lightning storm across a sky. He had those scars for saving me...
He groaned softly as she massaged the tender muscles in his back.
"Hey, Rust..." I started. "I just wanted to say thank you... for saving me. I didn't get the chance to thank you before, so..."
He chuckled under a moan as he turned to face me again.
"Hey, if I had known I was going to get the VIP-treatment, then I'd have been your guardian angel a long time ago. Seriously, Bullet..." He arched his back a bit, moaning under his breath. "You're great at this..."
She giggled with a soft blush. "Thank you, Rust. I take pride in my talents. But remember, I'm only doing this until you recover from the incident. After that, you have to pay for these sessions."
"Gladly..." He whispered breathlessly.
"And I'm not doing sex massages." Bullet stated quickly. "Dream would have my head - and yours - if I did that."
"Now... when you say head..." Rust looked over his shoulder with a slightly worried look, to which Bullet leaned in, inches near his face.
"Yes, Rust. I mean your cock."
A nervous look developed further in his eyes. "W-what is this, then?"
Bullet rolled her eyes, then pointed at me.
"Charger is naked. I am naked. We don't really care about the prudish lifestyle. You can walk all around Dead Sector with your dick hanging out, and no one will bat an eye. Well..." She smirked. "With the exception of those seeing a new, uh... heh... male model..."
"... I really need to visit pony dimensions more often..."
Bullet laughed as she shook her head. "If you're looking for a good fuck, then I'm sure someone here will take an interest in you."
"If ponies are taking an interest in Love Strain, even after the war, then you'll definitely get some admirers." I added.
Bullet hopped off his back and stretched as he sat up, exposing his-WHOA!
It looked different!
Strangely appealing...
"Thanks, Bullet." He said as he regarded her.
"Glad I could help." She replied, before turning to me. "You ready?"
I nodded before glancing at Rust again. "What about him?"
She shook her head. "He can't join. He's a wanted criminal to my organization."
"They started it."
She rolled her eyes again before nodding me to the dining room.
As I started to follow her, Rust spoke my name, causing me to stop and look back. There was a look of sad sincerity in his eyes.
"Hollow was many things..." He said softly. "A coward wasn't one of them." From there, he pounded a fist over his heart.
With a brief nod, I turned back to the doorway and continued my course.
An orb of bright, blue light hovered in the center of the room; over the dining table.
Bullet's horn was lit up in her aura as she took a standing at the end of the table farthest from me.
"Sit with me." She instructed as she nodded to the seat beside her.
Dream Catcher and Sora teleported into the scene, appearing beside Bullet as I moved around and took my seat.
Several holographic projections flickered over the empty seats, some of which sat.
There were entities much taller than that of Humans. I had a comparison, seeing as two of the members were such.
These slender, cloaked, masked entities remained standing, observing us.
"The chair recognizes our counsel as Charger Surge, leader and Nekkra Heart of the Dead Sector community, Sven, Star Child, Fenrir, former commanding officer of Division 182 in the Ministry of Wartime Strategy, and Redirect, elder Kivavian." Bullet nodded to one of the Humans. "Sven."
"Commander Bullet." He replied with a salute. "It's good to hear from you again."
"And you, sir." She smiled and saluted back.
Wait, the Star Child...?
Oh... FUCK...
"This isn't a reunion." Fenrir snapped. I almost immediately recognized his voice...
He had tried killing me and my friends, and even Bullet, back when I was trying to shut down the generator! What the fuck was he still doing alive!?
"Report."
"The crisis was averted." Bullet Storm stated in uniform. "One Aurora Kommer, who was known at the time as Hollow, had detonated the bomb within the Nekkra Heart through means of self sacrifice. The Heart had been attempting to tear the rift apart, thus destroying the universe."
"So they were saving us the job of detonating the dimension ourselves." He replied, to which Sven intervened.
"Watch it, Fenrir..."
"No." He stood up, turning to the Star Child. "There are still Hearts out there. Two of them remain, do they not?" He quickly spun to me. "I'm looking at one right now."
"Who is harmless to the likes of you." Dream Catcher stated abruptly. "Unless you piss him off, of course..."
"To answer your question..." I began. "Yes. There is another Heart. I'm not exactly sure where, but Bullet and Sora have been keeping close security detail and looking through any intel they can find on the whereabouts of Joy."
"And the quarantine?"
"It's been modified." Sora stated. "It doesn't affect anyone unless they're unregistered Nekkra. Admittedly, the barrier was down for a moment, so there's a chance that... they could have bypassed the field, but it was only for half an hour or so. And I believe that all of Joy's units were there with us on the battlefield. The chance of any of them getting past the radius before it turned back on is very slim."
Fenrir sighed, before turning to one of the taller figures.
"What're your thoughts on this, Redirect? You're awfully quiet."
He looked down at me curiously for a moment. 
"This is the first time someone has adapted to the virus and survived he who awaited them in the rift." A radiant hum accompanied the relaxed voice of Redirect. "This could be of use to us. The Star Mother is filled with intrigue." He turned to the rest of the counsel. "This one carries interesting logic. The one referred to as Joy, he believes to be the lesser of two evils. The primary threat has been eliminated. Or so he believes..."
Gah, mind readers! Get out of my head!
"White Noise sought to assimilate not just the body of one, but to torture the soul as well. Joy seemed to be only after the body. She said she releases the souls to the rift."
"Oh, she said." Fenrir spat. "Well, as long as she said it, then everything is fine then."
"The entity in the rift... collects souls?" Sven raised a brow.
"He's not evil..." I glared. "Look, I'm not saying what Joy is doing is right. I intend to resolve this matter. We haven't heard any Nekkra activity outside of my strain ever since the war. I think Joy is in hiding, which gives us something of an advantage. Hiding means she can't assimilate as easy without arousing suspicion."
"And if she isn't?" Sven asked.
"I'll deal with it..." I stated gravely. "And I ask that none of you resort to things like the Saturn Protocol when there are other solutions."
"My sentiments exactly." Sven glanced at Fenrir. "Some are paying the price for trying to push for extreme measures..."
Fenrir glared at him in turn.
"And if the vortex by some off chance returns, I ask that you leave it alone. It's under my protection now."
The counsel gave me curious looks for a moment before Sven hesitantly nodded.
"Very well. You survived him, so you got closer to him than anyone else has."
"The Star Mother finds you interesting." Redirect jumped in. "It is evident that the Star Child is sharing that intrigue." He turned to Sven for a moment, who nodded with a soft smile. "We will be on the sidelines, observing your project from afar. Bullet Storm, commander of the 12 Star Security Division, will file reports of your results on a weekly basis."
"This meeting has met a conclusion for the time being." One of the others stated. "Do not disappoint the mother or her child."
The orb in the center of the room vanished, as did the holograms.
I slumped in my seat as I lowered my head.
The Star Child...
I really needed to figure out what was going on on both sides, because he seemed very reasonable... Nekkra Death wanted him dead. Something wasn't right here... I needed to find the truth.
"Well, it could have been worse." Sora said quietly. "That actually went a lot better than I thought it would."


(((((((◉)))))))


I sat before the obelisk, now riddled with the names of the fallen from the war, and those who helped us get to it.
Hundreds, carved neatly into the stone surface; their names now immortal. Now legends. Heroes.
My eyes rested on Thorne.
"Bit for your thoughts?" Bullet spoke as she stepped up to my side, taking a seat beside me.
Ponies had been sneaking up on me a lot lately. Usually when I was lost in thought...
"Hey, Bullet..."
She leaned her head against my shoulder, to which I wrapped an arm around her as we studied the names.
"You okay?" She asked tenderly.
With a defeated sigh, I shrugged.
"Just a lot going on in my head right now..." I glanced over at her, getting a whiff of gun oil and whiskey. "Do you think Hollow is actually dead...?"
"I don't know, Charger..." She whispered, leaning into me a little more. "I wish I had the answer. But she hasn't reached out to me... It's been a week, she would have by now, if she was... alive..."
I closed my eyes and exhaled a shaky breath.
"Right..."
"I'm sorry..."
"Can I ask for a favor...?"
She looked up at me momentarily. "What is it?"
I nodded to the obelisk. "Let her join them."
"A-are you sure...?" Bullet's ears wilted, to which I nodded.
"I wish I wasn't. But I can't fool myself anymore... I need to accept that she's gone. I don't think I can ever move on, but... I can try and accept it."
A silence lingered between us for a moment before her horn lit up.
Hollow's name was neatly carved into the obelisk.
Right beside Thorne's...
"I know that wherever she is, she loves you." Bullet whispered before kissing me on the cheek.
I cracked a wan smile as we regarded her name together, holding each other close.
"I love her too..."